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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
Loughborough University

Loughborough · QS World #203

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.

8/10

Loughborough

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Essex

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Loughborough University leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Essex is ahead on international, courses.

Loughborough University vs University of Essex at a glance

Loughborough University and University of Essex both teach 41 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Computer Science and History. Loughborough University offers 416 courses across 63 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,750 a year at Loughborough University and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £8,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at Loughborough University and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £5,620 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Loughborough University is higher in 17 and University of Essex in 0. The widest gap is in Accounting: £37,000 three years after graduating from Loughborough University, against £26,500 from University of Essex. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Loughborough University is higher in 6 and University of Essex in 4, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#203
QS World
#438
#301
THE World
#301
#11
Guardian UK
#44
1909
Established
1964
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Loughborough University

University of Essex

87.6%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£41,200
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.4%
33.7%

International

International student share

416
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

36
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.

Loughborough

90 countries · 18.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China24.7%
  • 🇮🇳India13.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.6%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates3.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.4%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

41 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.

Loughborough University

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Manufacturing & Production Engineering, English Literature, Civil Engineering, Business & Management (General), English Studies, Marketing, Media & Film Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Social Sciences (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Biology, Ancient Languages, Building & Construction, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Human Geography & Environment, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Film Production & Cinematography, Social Policy & Public Policy, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Technology & Logistics.

Only at Loughborough 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

Loughborough University
£29,750
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Essex is about £8,250 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Loughborough University
£29,500
University of Essex
£23,880

University of Essex is about £5,620 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.

Loughborough University

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    No dataSatisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    86%Satisfaction81%

  • History

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    No dataSatisfaction93%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £37,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    85%Satisfaction95%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £43,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    82%Satisfaction77%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    85%Satisfaction84%

  • Business Studies

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Management

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    No dataSatisfaction82%

  • Accounting

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    No dataSatisfaction78%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Loughborough University

Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowships

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

Care Leaver's Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Impact Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Inspiring Success Scholarship

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

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

Loughborough University vs University of Essex: common questions

Is Loughborough University or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,750 a year at Loughborough University and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £8,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at Loughborough University and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £5,620 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 Loughborough University and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 41 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, History, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Economics, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Management and 29 more.

Is Loughborough University or University of Essex better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Loughborough University, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Loughborough University or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Loughborough University lists 416 courses.

What can you study at Loughborough University but not at University of Essex?

Loughborough University teaches 22 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Physics, Chemistry, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, General Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Mechanical Engineering and 14 more.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at Loughborough University?

University of Essex teaches 33 subject areas that Loughborough University does not, including Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, Journalism, Linguistics, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Applied Psychology and 25 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

L
Loughborough University416 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses