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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.

M
Manchester Metropolitan University

Manchester · QS World #600

U
University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/11

Manchester Metropolitan

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

Essex

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Manchester Metropolitan University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, employment.

Manchester Metropolitan University vs University of Essex at a glance

Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Essex both teach 55 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Design & Fashion. Manchester Metropolitan University offers 393 courses across 78 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £21,500 at University of Essex, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,000 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £2,880 a year cheaper.

Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 28 and Manchester Metropolitan University in 6, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £23,500 three years after graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University, against £33,000 from University of Essex. Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Manchester Metropolitan University is higher in 21 and University of Essex in 13, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#600
QS World
#438
#601
THE World
#301
#62
Guardian UK
#44
1970
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.

Manchester Metropolitan University

University of Essex

87.7%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£28,500
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.1%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

9.3%
33.7%

International

International student share

393
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
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.

Manchester Metropolitan

90 countries · 9.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India21.7%
  • 🇨🇳China10.8%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.1%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7%
  • 🌐Kuwait5.8%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

55 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.

Manchester Metropolitan University

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Accounting, Business & Management (General), Linguistics, Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, English Studies, Media & Film Studies, Biology, English Language, Teacher Training, Film Production & Cinematography, Social Sciences (General), Creative Writing, Biomedical Sciences, Applied Psychology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Ancient Languages, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Biomedical Engineering, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Environmental Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Human Resource Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Health & Social Care, Building & Construction, Clinical & Health Psychology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Landscape Architecture & Design, Physical Geography & Climate, Technology & Logistics.

Only at Manchester Metropolitan 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

Manchester Metropolitan University
£21,500
University of Essex
£21,500

About the same.

Postgraduate

Manchester Metropolitan University
£21,000
University of Essex
£23,880

Manchester Metropolitan University is about £2,880 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.

Manchester Metropolitan University

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    87%Satisfaction93%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Philosophy

    £17,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    79%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • History of Art & Design

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    93%Satisfaction88%

  • Business Studies

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    84%Satisfaction81%

  • Psychology (General)

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £17,500Salary (3 years)£16,500
    82%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 39 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Manchester Metropolitan University

Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust Scholarships

100%

Deadline: May 2026

Doctoral Landscape Awards

100%

Deadline: N/A

Fulbright Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

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

Manchester Metropolitan University vs University of Essex: common questions

Is Manchester Metropolitan University or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £21,500 at University of Essex, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,000 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £2,880 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 Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 55 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Philosophy, Economics, Law, Sociology & Criminology, History of Art & Design, Business Studies, Computer Science, Psychology (General) and 43 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Manchester Metropolitan University and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Manchester Metropolitan University or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Manchester Metropolitan University lists 393 courses.

What can you study at Manchester Metropolitan University but not at University of Essex?

Manchester Metropolitan University teaches 23 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Chemistry, Education Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Anatomy & Pathology, French, Architecture, Spanish & Portuguese, Mechanical Engineering and 15 more.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at Manchester Metropolitan University?

University of Essex teaches 19 subject areas that Manchester Metropolitan University does not, including English Literature, Ecology & Conservation, Biotechnology, Civil Engineering, Welsh Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Genetics & Genomics, Liberal Arts and 11 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

M
Manchester Metropolitan University393 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses