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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.

Q
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #1201

U
University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/8

Queen Margaret

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

5/8

Essex

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment.

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh vs University of Essex at a glance

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and University of Essex both teach 19 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology and Drama & Theatre. Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh offers 68 courses across 25 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,460 a year at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and £23,880 at University of Essex: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £5,420 a year cheaper.

Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 7 and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh in 3. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £22,000 three years after graduating from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, against £27,000 from University of Essex. Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is higher in 8 and University of Essex in 1, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1201
QS World
#438
—
THE World
#301
—
Guardian UK
#44
1875
Established
1964
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

University of Essex

89.4%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£28,300
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

88.1%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.6%
33.7%

International

International student share

68
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.

Queen Margaret

51 countries · 18.6% international

  • 🇮🇪Ireland29%
  • 🌐Nepal9.8%
  • 🇨🇦Canada8.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria6.1%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.5%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

19 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.

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Cultural Studies, Health & Social Care, Classical Studies, Design & Fashion.

Only at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

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

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
No data
University of Essex
£21,500

We do not have reliable international fee data for Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh yet.

Postgraduate

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
£18,460
University of Essex
£23,880

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £5,420 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.

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

University of Essex

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    94%Satisfaction88%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£16,500
    99%Satisfaction95%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    82%Satisfaction84%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    92%SatisfactionNo data

  • Marketing

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    76%Satisfaction75%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Counselling & Psychotherapy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)No data
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Adult Nursing

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    100%Satisfaction87%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

Scottish Highlands & Islands Schools Scholarship

£500

Deadline: Jun 2026

Alison Scott Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

The Alison Scott Scholarship

See details

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

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh vs University of Essex: common questions

Is Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,460 a year at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and £23,880 at University of Essex: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £5,420 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 Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 19 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Drama & Theatre, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Marketing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Media & Film Studies and 7 more.

Is Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of Essex better for Sociology & Criminology?

Sociology & Criminology graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, and £24,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and 88% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh lists 68 courses.

What can you study at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh but not at University of Essex?

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh teaches 6 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Nutrition & Dietetics, Education Studies, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Medical Imaging, Clinical Specialities and Public Relations.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh?

University of Essex teaches 55 subject areas that Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh does not, including History, Economics, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Law, Computer Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Mathematics and 47 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

Q
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh68 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses