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.
London
Colchester · QS World #438
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 7 datapoints
We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
2/7
Ravensbourne University London
scored higher in 2 categories
5/7
Essex
scored higher in 5 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Essex leads in 5 of 7 categories where both have data (satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Ravensbourne University London is ahead on established, employment.
Ravensbourne University London vs University of Essex at a glance
Ravensbourne University London and University of Essex both teach 14 subject areas, the largest being Economics, Computer Science and Design & Fashion. Ravensbourne University London offers 90 courses across 20 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at Ravensbourne University London and £21,500 at University of Essex: Ravensbourne University London is about £4,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Ravensbourne University London and £23,880 at University of Essex: Ravensbourne University London is about £5,380 a year cheaper.
Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 3 and Ravensbourne University London in 1. The widest gap is in Film Production & Cinematography: £23,000 three years after graduating from Ravensbourne University London, against £17,000 from University of Essex. Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Ravensbourne University London is higher in 3 and University of Essex in 3.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Ravensbourne University London
University of Essex
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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.
Ravensbourne University London
33 countries · 30.3% international
- 🇮🇳India51.1%
- 🌐Nepal23.6%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan8.9%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh4.8%
- 🌐Morocco1.1%
Essex
97 countries · 33.7% international
- 🇮🇳India21.2%
- 🇨🇳China11.7%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan6.1%
- 🇫🇷France5.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria4.4%
Subjects
14 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.
Ravensbourne University London
University of Essex
Economics
1 courseTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
37 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Computer Science
5 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
26 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Design & Fashion
25 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £23,880 (PG)
Business Studies
6 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
18 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Accounting
1 courseTypical fee £18,500 (PG)
19 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Journalism
1 courseTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
5 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
3 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £25,050 (UG)
Marketing
4 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Management
2 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (PG)
13 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Film Production & Cinematography
Civil Engineering
Media & Film Studies
Creative Arts (General)
Only at Ravensbourne University London
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
- Ravensbourne University London
- £17,500
- University of Essex
- £21,500
Ravensbourne University London is about £4,000 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Ravensbourne University London
- £18,500
- University of Essex
- £23,880
Ravensbourne University London is about £5,380 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.
Ravensbourne University London
University of Essex
Computer Science
No dataSalary (3 years)£33,50070%Satisfaction81%Business Studies
£26,000Salary (3 years)£27,00087%Satisfaction83%Business & Management (General)
£26,000Salary (3 years)£27,00090%SatisfactionNo dataElectronic & Electrical Engineering
£33,000Salary (3 years)No data82%Satisfaction75%Marketing
£26,000Salary (3 years)£27,00080%Satisfaction75%Film Production & Cinematography
£23,000Salary (3 years)£17,00071%Satisfaction86%Media & Film Studies
£25,000Salary (3 years)No data73%Satisfaction84%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveRavensbourne University London
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
FAQ
Ravensbourne University London vs University of Essex: common questions
Is Ravensbourne University London or University of Essex cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at Ravensbourne University London and £21,500 at University of Essex: Ravensbourne University London is about £4,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Ravensbourne University London and £23,880 at University of Essex: Ravensbourne University London is about £5,380 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 Ravensbourne University London and University of Essex?
Both universities teach 14 subject areas: Economics, Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Business Studies, Accounting, Journalism, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Marketing, Management, Film Production & Cinematography, Civil Engineering and 2 more.
Is Ravensbourne University London or University of Essex better for Business Studies?
Business Studies graduates earn a median £26,000 three years after graduating from Ravensbourne University London, and £27,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Ravensbourne University London and 83% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Ravensbourne University London or University of Essex offer more courses?
University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Ravensbourne University London lists 90 courses.
What can you study at Ravensbourne University London but not at University of Essex?
Ravensbourne University London teaches 6 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Architecture, Business Information Systems, Computing & IT, Software Engineering and Music.
What can you study at University of Essex but not at Ravensbourne University London?
University of Essex teaches 60 subject areas that Ravensbourne University London does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Drama & Theatre, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 52 more.
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