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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
Middlesex 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.

2/10

Middlesex

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Essex

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Middlesex University vs University of Essex at a glance

Middlesex University and University of Essex both teach 41 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Economics and Sport & Exercise Sciences. Middlesex University offers 294 courses across 65 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,200 a year at Middlesex University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Middlesex University is about £4,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Middlesex University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Middlesex University is about £6,280 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 13 and Middlesex University in 7. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £23,500 three years after graduating from Middlesex University, against £33,000 from University of Essex. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Middlesex University is higher in 15 and University of Essex in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#901
QS World
#438
#501
THE World
#301
#74
Guardian UK
#44
1878
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.

Middlesex University

University of Essex

87.4%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£30,300
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

29.6%
33.7%

International

International student share

294
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.

Middlesex

80 countries · 29.6% international

  • 🇮🇳India43.9%
  • 🇨🇳China7.5%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.5%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
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.

Middlesex University

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Management, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Work, Applied Psychology, Biotechnology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Media & Film Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Mental Health Nursing, Social Policy & Public Policy, Adult Nursing, Building & Construction, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Health & Social Care, Performing Arts (General), Human Resource Management, Statistics, Teacher Training, Human Geography & Environment, Technology & Logistics, Clinical & Health Psychology, Nursing (General).

Only at Middlesex 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

Middlesex University
£17,200
University of Essex
£21,500

Middlesex University is about £4,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Middlesex University
£17,600
University of Essex
£23,880

Middlesex University is about £6,280 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.

Middlesex University

University of Essex

  • Economics

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    85%Satisfaction81%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    85%Satisfaction88%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    83%Satisfaction77%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • Business Studies

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    71%Satisfaction83%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    85%SatisfactionNo data

  • Accounting

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    83%Satisfaction78%

  • Marketing

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    89%Satisfaction75%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £27,000Salary (3 years)No data
    93%Satisfaction75%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Middlesex 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

Middlesex University vs University of Essex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,200 a year at Middlesex University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Middlesex University is about £4,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Middlesex University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Middlesex University is about £6,280 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 Middlesex University and University of Essex?

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

Is Middlesex University or University of Essex better for Economics?

Economics graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from Middlesex University, and £30,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Middlesex University and 84% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Middlesex University or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Middlesex University lists 294 courses.

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

Middlesex University teaches 24 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Business Information Systems, Medicine, Software Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Education Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Veterinary Sciences & Nursing, Anatomy & Pathology and 16 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 33 subject areas that Middlesex University does not, including History, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Mathematics, English Literature, Journalism, Linguistics, Ecology & Conservation and 25 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

M
Middlesex University294 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses