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 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.
2/8
Richmond American University London
scored higher in 2 categories
6/8
Essex
scored higher in 6 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Essex leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, courses, scholarship). Richmond American University London is ahead on international, graduate salary.
Richmond American University London vs University of Essex at a glance
Richmond American University London and University of Essex both teach 13 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Economics. Richmond American University London offers 49 courses across 14 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 Richmond American University London and £21,500 at University of Essex: Richmond American University London is about £4,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Richmond American University London and £23,880 at University of Essex: Richmond American University London is about £5,380 a year cheaper.
Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 4 and Richmond American University London in 2.
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.
Richmond American 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.
Richmond American University London
21 countries · 87.1% international
- 🇮🇳India39.4%
- 🇺🇸United States27.1%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan7.9%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.9%
- 🌐Nepal2.5%
Essex
97 countries · 33.7% international
- 🇮🇳India21.2%
- 🇨🇳China11.7%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan6.1%
- 🇫🇷France5.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria4.4%
Subjects
13 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.
Richmond American University London
University of Essex
Politics & International Relations
5 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
52 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
History
2 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
44 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Economics
2 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
37 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
History of Art & Design
2 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
33 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
2 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
28 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Computer Science
2 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
26 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Finance & Actuarial Science
4 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
24 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Mathematics
2 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
23 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Psychology (General)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
20 coursesTypical fee £24,360 (UG)
Business Studies
2 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
18 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Marketing
8 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
8 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
Only at Richmond American 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
- Richmond American University London
- £17,500
- University of Essex
- £21,500
Richmond American University London is about £4,000 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Richmond American University London
- £18,500
- University of Essex
- £23,880
Richmond American 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.
Richmond American University London
University of Essex
Politics & International Relations
No dataSalary (3 years)£25,00085%Satisfaction86%Finance & Actuarial Science
No dataSalary (3 years)£33,00065%Satisfaction77%Psychology (General)
No dataSalary (3 years)£24,50082%Satisfaction84%Business Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)£27,00092%Satisfaction83%Marketing
No dataSalary (3 years)£27,00079%Satisfaction75%Media & Film Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)No data77%Satisfaction84%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveRichmond American 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
Richmond American University London vs University of Essex: common questions
Is Richmond American University London or University of Essex cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at Richmond American University London and £21,500 at University of Essex: Richmond American University London is about £4,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Richmond American University London and £23,880 at University of Essex: Richmond American 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 Richmond American University London and University of Essex?
Both universities teach 13 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, History of Art & Design, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Marketing, Business & Management (General) and 1 more.
Does Richmond American University London or University of Essex offer more courses?
University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Richmond American University London lists 49 courses.
What can you study at Richmond American University London but not at University of Essex?
Richmond American University London teaches 1 subject area that University of Essex does not, including Software Engineering.
What can you study at University of Essex but not at Richmond American University London?
University of Essex teaches 61 subject areas that Richmond American University London does not, including Philosophy, Law, Drama & Theatre, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting, English Literature, Journalism, Linguistics and 53 more.
Ready to explore courses?
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