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Compare any two UK universities

Select any two universities below and we'll generate an instant, data-driven comparison — rankings, salaries, student satisfaction, international community, and more.

L
London South Bank University

London · QS World #901

U
University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/10

London South Bank

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Essex

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). London South Bank University is ahead on established, employment, graduate salary.

London South Bank University vs University of Essex at a glance

London South Bank University and University of Essex both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Economics, Law and Computer Science. London South Bank University offers 240 courses across 55 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,400 a year at London South Bank University and £21,500 at University of Essex: London South Bank University is about £4,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at London South Bank University and £23,880 at University of Essex: London South Bank University is about £4,980 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 11 and London South Bank University in 9. The widest gap is in Mental Health Nursing: £40,500 three years after graduating from London South Bank University, against £31,500 from University of Essex. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, London South Bank University is higher in 15 and University of Essex in 5, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.

#901
QS World
#438
#601
THE World
#301
#78
Guardian UK
#44
1892
Established
1964
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

London South Bank University

University of Essex

85.1%
87.2%

Satisfaction

Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)

£33,900
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

15.6%
33.7%

International

International student share

240
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
30

Scholarships

Number of scholarships

International Community

Where do international students come from?

Top source countries based on official HESA enrolment data. A higher diversity of nationalities often means a richer campus experience.

London South Bank

60 countries · 15.6% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.1%
  • 🇮🇳India19.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh18.1%
  • 🌐Nepal4.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.3%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India21.2%
  • 🇨🇳China11.7%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.1%
  • 🇫🇷France5.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.4%

Subjects

33 subjects you can study at both

Courses listed at each university in the subject, and the typical (median) international fee a year. Select a count to see the courses.

London South Bank University

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Business & Management (General), Social Sciences (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Civil Engineering, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Mental Health Nursing, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Biomedical Sciences, Clinical & Health Psychology, Social Work, Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies, Health & Social Care, Creative Arts (General), Nursing (General).

Only at London South Bank University

Only at University of Essex

Fees

What it costs international students

The typical (median) international tuition fee a year across each university's published course fees. Individual courses vary; each course page shows its own fee.

Undergraduate

London South Bank University
£17,400
University of Essex
£21,500

London South Bank University is about £4,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

London South Bank University
£18,900
University of Essex
£23,880

London South Bank University is about £4,980 a year cheaper.

Outcomes

Graduate outcomes by subject

Median graduate salary three years after graduating, and student satisfaction with teaching, across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject. Source: Discover Uni.

London South Bank University

University of Essex

  • Economics

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    91%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    90%Satisfaction81%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    91%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Business Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    93%Satisfaction83%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£16,500
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    86%Satisfaction77%

  • Accounting

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction78%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)No data
    94%Satisfaction75%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

London South Bank University

View all scholarships →

University of Essex

Access Essex Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Sustainable Transitions - Governance, Ecological Management and Society - Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Sustainable Transitions - Governance, Ecological Management and Society - Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme 2026-27 (Masters plus PhD)

100%

Deadline: N/A

The Essex MBA Dean's Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Research EU Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

London South Bank University vs University of Essex: common questions

Is London South Bank University or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,400 a year at London South Bank University and £21,500 at University of Essex: London South Bank University is about £4,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at London South Bank University and £23,880 at University of Essex: London South Bank University is about £4,980 a year cheaper. These are medians of the international tuition fees each university publishes for its courses; the fee for a specific course is on its course page.

What subjects can you study at both London South Bank University and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Economics, Law, Computer Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, Drama & Theatre, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Psychology (General), Building & Construction, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 21 more.

Is London South Bank University or University of Essex better for Economics?

Economics graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from London South Bank University, and £30,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at London South Bank University and 84% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does London South Bank University or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and London South Bank University lists 240 courses.

What can you study at London South Bank University but not at University of Essex?

London South Bank University teaches 22 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Children's Nursing, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Chemical Engineering, General Engineering, Medical Imaging, Planning & Housing, Food Production & Technology and 14 more.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at London South Bank University?

University of Essex teaches 41 subject areas that London South Bank University does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Mathematics, English Literature, Journalism, Linguistics and 33 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

L
London South Bank University240 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses