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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.

O
Open University

None · THE World #801

U
University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/9

Open

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

7/9

Essex

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Open University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction.

Open University vs University of Essex at a glance

Open University and University of Essex both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being History, Politics & International Relations and Computer Science. Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 17 and Open University in 9, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Sociology & Criminology: £17,000 three years after graduating from Open University, against £24,000 from University of Essex. Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 22 and University of Essex in 1, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#438
#801
THE World
#301
—
Guardian UK
#44
1969
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.

Open University

University of Essex

89.8%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
33.7%

International

International student share

337
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.

Open

25 countries · 0.2% international

  • 🇩🇪Germany8.9%
  • 🌐Cyprus (European Union)6.7%
  • 🇫🇷France6.7%
  • 🇨🇳China4.4%
  • 🇮🇳India4.4%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

43 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.

Open University

University of Essex

Also taught at both: English Language, Linguistics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, Management, Social Sciences (General), Social Work, Ancient Languages, Applied Psychology, Creative Writing, Biology, Environmental Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Biomedical Sciences, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Health & Social Care, Statistics, Human Resource Management, Social Policy & Public Policy, Classical Studies, Design & Fashion, English Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Teacher Training, Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Nursing (General).

Only at Open 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

Open University
No data
University of Essex
£21,500

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open University yet.

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
University of Essex
£23,880

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open University yet.

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.

Open University

University of Essex

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    91%Satisfaction81%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    96%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Philosophy

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    95%SatisfactionNo data

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 30 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open 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

Open University vs University of Essex: common questions

What subjects can you study at both Open University and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: History, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Economics, Philosophy, Business & Management (General), History of Art & Design, Mathematics, Psychology (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences and 31 more.

Is Open University or University of Essex better for History?

History graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Open University, and £23,500 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at Open University and 93% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Open University lists 337 courses.

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

Open University teaches 25 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Humanities, General Engineering, Education Studies, Computing & IT, Physics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Combined & General Studies, Software Engineering and 17 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 31 subject areas that Open University does not, including Drama & Theatre, Business Studies, Journalism, Ecology & Conservation, Marketing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Biotechnology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and 23 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

O
Open University337 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses