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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
Oxford Brookes University

Oxford · QS World #411

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.

5/10

Oxford Brookes

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

5/10

Essex

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Oxford Brookes University and University of Essex are evenly matched: each leads in 5 of 10 categories where both have data. Oxford Brookes University is ahead on ranking, established, employment, graduate salary; University of Essex on ranking, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship.

Oxford Brookes University vs University of Essex at a glance

Oxford Brookes University and University of Essex both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Economics. Oxford Brookes University offers 307 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,250 a year at Oxford Brookes University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Oxford Brookes University is about £4,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at Oxford Brookes University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Oxford Brookes University is about £4,980 a year cheaper.

Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Oxford Brookes University is higher in 22 and University of Essex in 8, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Film Production & Cinematography: £23,000 three years after graduating from Oxford Brookes University, against £17,000 from University of Essex. Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Oxford Brookes University is higher in 15 and University of Essex in 14, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#411
QS World
#438
#801
THE World
#301
#43
Guardian UK
#44
1865
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.

Oxford Brookes University

University of Essex

86.6%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£33,600
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.6%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

11.3%
33.7%

International

International student share

307
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

14
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.

Oxford Brookes

90 countries · 11.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India29.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.8%
  • 🇨🇳China4.2%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

47 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.

Oxford Brookes University

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Psychology (General), Management, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism, Ecology & Conservation, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Media & Film Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Building & Construction, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Anthropology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Creative Writing, Ancient Languages, Film Production & Cinematography, Biology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Design & Fashion, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Work, Biomedical Sciences, Genetics & Genomics, Liberal Arts, Adult Nursing, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Health & Social Care, Human Geography & Environment, Mental Health Nursing, Statistics, Human Resource Management, Nursing (General).

Only at Oxford Brookes 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

Oxford Brookes University
£17,250
University of Essex
£21,500

Oxford Brookes University is about £4,250 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Oxford Brookes University
£18,900
University of Essex
£23,880

Oxford Brookes 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.

Oxford Brookes University

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    92%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    77%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    100%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • History of Art & Design

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    94%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    78%Satisfaction81%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    77%Satisfaction77%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    88%SatisfactionNo data

  • Business Studies

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    86%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 35 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Oxford Brookes University

Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press (FLTRP) Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: Nov 2026

Oxford Brookes Bursary for Continuing Students

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Estranged students bursary

£2,000

Deadline: Jul 2027

Oxford Brookes Business School International Student Scholarship

£2,000

Deadline: N/A

Transition from Care Bursary

£2,000

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

Oxford Brookes University vs University of Essex: common questions

Is Oxford Brookes University or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,250 a year at Oxford Brookes University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Oxford Brookes University is about £4,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at Oxford Brookes University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Oxford Brookes 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 Oxford Brookes University and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Law, Philosophy, Sociology & Criminology, History of Art & Design, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business & Management (General), Business Studies and 35 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from Oxford Brookes University, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Oxford Brookes University and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Oxford Brookes University or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Oxford Brookes University lists 307 courses.

What can you study at Oxford Brookes University but not at University of Essex?

Oxford Brookes University teaches 22 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Architecture, Education Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Mechanical Engineering, Nutrition & Dietetics, Computing & IT, Geography (General), Software Engineering and 14 more.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at Oxford Brookes University?

University of Essex teaches 27 subject areas that Oxford Brookes University does not, including Drama & Theatre, Mathematics, Linguistics, English Language, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Biotechnology, Civil Engineering and 19 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

O
Oxford Brookes University307 courses · 14 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses