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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.

R
Robert Gordon University

Aberdeen · QS World #1001

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

Robert Gordon

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

5/10

Essex

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Robert Gordon University vs University of Essex at a glance

Robert Gordon University and University of Essex both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Law, Business Studies and Computer Science. Robert Gordon University offers 151 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,300 a year at Robert Gordon University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Robert Gordon University is about £3,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,060 a year at Robert Gordon University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Robert Gordon University is about £4,820 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Robert Gordon University is higher in 9 and University of Essex in 8. The widest gap is in Social Work: £33,500 three years after graduating from Robert Gordon University, against £26,500 from University of Essex. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Robert Gordon University is higher in 13 and University of Essex in 5, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#438
#801
THE World
#301
#81
Guardian UK
#44
1729
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.

Robert Gordon University

University of Essex

87.9%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£33,900
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

88.5%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.4%
33.7%

International

International student share

151
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

43
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.

Robert Gordon

48 countries · 14.4% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria36.2%
  • 🇮🇳India16.2%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana9.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.5%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland5.9%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

33 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.

Robert Gordon University

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Design & Fashion, Media & Film Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Adult Nursing, Civil Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Film Production & Cinematography, Social Work, Biomedical Engineering, Building & Construction, Mental Health Nursing, Nursing (General), Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Cultural Studies.

Only at Robert Gordon 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

Robert Gordon University
£18,300
University of Essex
£21,500

Robert Gordon University is about £3,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Robert Gordon University
£19,060
University of Essex
£23,880

Robert Gordon University is about £4,820 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.

Robert Gordon University

University of Essex

  • Law

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Business Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    86%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    85%Satisfaction81%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Accounting

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction78%

  • Journalism

    £21,000Salary (3 years)No data
    80%Satisfaction78%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)No data
    77%Satisfaction75%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    96%Satisfaction86%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    81%Satisfaction84%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    85%Satisfaction80%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Robert Gordon University

Bolashak Scholarship Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

CONACyT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia)

100%

Deadline: N/A

Chevening Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Postgraduate/PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

100%

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

Robert Gordon University vs University of Essex: common questions

Is Robert Gordon University or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,300 a year at Robert Gordon University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Robert Gordon University is about £3,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,060 a year at Robert Gordon University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Robert Gordon University is about £4,820 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 Robert Gordon University and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Law, Business Studies, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Journalism, Management, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marketing and 21 more.

Is Robert Gordon University or University of Essex better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Robert Gordon University, and £24,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at Robert Gordon University and 84% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Robert Gordon University or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Robert Gordon University lists 151 courses.

What can you study at Robert Gordon University but not at University of Essex?

Robert Gordon University teaches 18 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including General Engineering, Information & Library Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Pharmacy, Architecture, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Fine Art and 10 more.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at Robert Gordon University?

University of Essex teaches 41 subject areas that Robert Gordon University does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, Mathematics, Psychology (General) and 33 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

R
Robert Gordon University151 courses · 43 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses