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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
Royal Holloway, University of London

Egham · QS World #485

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.

3/10

Royal Holloway

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Essex

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, international, courses). Royal Holloway, University of London is ahead on established, graduate salary, scholarship.

Royal Holloway, University of London vs University of Essex at a glance

Royal Holloway, University of London and University of Essex both teach 46 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Economics and History. Royal Holloway, University of London offers 351 courses across 60 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £5,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,400 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £2,520 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Royal Holloway, University of London is higher in 18 and University of Essex in 2, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £41,000 three years after graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London, against £33,500 from University of Essex. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 15 and Royal Holloway, University of London in 11, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#485
QS World
#438
#401
THE World
#301
#45
Guardian UK
#44
1879
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.

Royal Holloway, University of London

University of Essex

85.7%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£36,152.9
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.6%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.7%
33.7%

International

International student share

351
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

32
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.

Royal Holloway

79 countries · 16.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India17.8%
  • 🇨🇳China8.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.8%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

46 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.

Royal Holloway, University of London

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Marketing, Ecology & Conservation, Biochemistry, English Language, Ancient Languages, Applied Psychology, Classical Studies, Social Sciences (General), Media & Film Studies, Creative Writing, Biology, Liberal Arts, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Welsh Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Film Production & Cinematography, Genetics & Genomics, Social Policy & Public Policy, Social Work, English Studies, Human Resource Management, Physical Geography & Climate, Health & Social Care, American & Comparative Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology, Cultural Studies, Developmental & Educational Psychology.

Only at Royal Holloway, University of London

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

Royal Holloway, University of London
£26,800
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Essex is about £5,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Royal Holloway, University of London
£26,400
University of Essex
£23,880

University of Essex is about £2,520 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.

Royal Holloway, University of London

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    83%Satisfaction81%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,000
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Philosophy

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    83%Satisfaction95%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£16,500
    82%Satisfaction95%

  • Management

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    83%Satisfaction82%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    98%Satisfaction75%

  • English Literature

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Royal Holloway, University of London

International Partners Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Katayoon Behboodi Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

Mary Anning Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

Barbara Raw Scholarships for English

See details

Deadline: N/A

Barbara Raw for English Access Scholarship 2026

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

Royal Holloway, University of London vs University of Essex: common questions

Is Royal Holloway, University of London or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £5,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,400 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £2,520 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 Royal Holloway, University of London and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 46 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Economics, History, Computer Science, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Philosophy, Mathematics, Drama & Theatre, Management, Finance & Actuarial Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 34 more.

Is Royal Holloway, University of London or University of Essex better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Royal Holloway, University of London and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Royal Holloway, University of London or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Royal Holloway, University of London lists 351 courses.

What can you study at Royal Holloway, University of London but not at University of Essex?

Royal Holloway, University of London teaches 14 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Music, German & Scandinavian Studies, Physics, Geography (General), Astronomy & Astrophysics, Computing & IT, French and 6 more.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at Royal Holloway, University of London?

University of Essex teaches 28 subject areas that Royal Holloway, University of London does not, including History of Art & Design, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Journalism, Linguistics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Biotechnology, Childhood & Youth Studies and 20 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

R
Royal Holloway, University of London351 courses · 32 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses