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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.

S
Sheffield Hallam University

Sheffield · QS World #1001

U
University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/11

Sheffield Hallam

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

Essex

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Sheffield Hallam University is ahead on TEF, established, employment.

Sheffield Hallam University vs University of Essex at a glance

Sheffield Hallam University and University of Essex both teach 55 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Economics. Sheffield Hallam University offers 365 courses across 84 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,000 a year at Sheffield Hallam University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Sheffield Hallam University is about £3,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 27 and Sheffield Hallam University in 4, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £26,500 three years after graduating from Sheffield Hallam University, against £33,500 from University of Essex. Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 17 and Sheffield Hallam University in 12, with 3 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
#63
Guardian UK
#44
1843
Established
1964
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Sheffield Hallam University

University of Essex

82.8%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£30,300
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.4%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.3%
33.7%

International

International student share

365
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

12
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.

Sheffield Hallam

44 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India53%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria15.5%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.3%
  • 🌐Myanmar (Burma)3.5%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

55 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.

Sheffield Hallam University

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Marketing, Design & Fashion, Journalism, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, English Language, Film Production & Cinematography, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Social Sciences (General), Counselling & Psychotherapy, Applied Psychology, Biotechnology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Creative Writing, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biomedical Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Biology, Building & Construction, Civil Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Adult Nursing, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Biochemistry, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Environmental Sciences, Health & Social Care, Microbiology & Cell Biology, English Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Human Resource Management, Social Work, Statistics, Nursing (General), Teacher Training, Technology & Logistics, Clinical & Health Psychology, Developmental & Educational Psychology.

Only at Sheffield Hallam 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

Sheffield Hallam University
£18,000
University of Essex
£21,500

Sheffield Hallam University is about £3,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Sheffield Hallam University
No data
University of Essex
£23,880

We do not have reliable international fee data for Sheffield Hallam University yet.

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.

Sheffield Hallam University

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    86%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%Satisfaction88%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

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

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    75%Satisfaction77%

  • Business Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    73%Satisfaction83%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    71%SatisfactionNo data

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    80%Satisfaction81%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£16,500
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 37 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Sheffield Hallam University

GREAT Scholarships 2026

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

TASS: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Executive MBA Scholarships

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Transform Together Scholarships

50%

Deadline: N/A

Vice-Chancellor's Award

£4,000

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

Sheffield Hallam University vs University of Essex: common questions

Is Sheffield Hallam University or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,000 a year at Sheffield Hallam University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Sheffield Hallam University is about £3,500 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 Sheffield Hallam University and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 55 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Law, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Drama & Theatre, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 43 more.

Is Sheffield Hallam University or University of Essex better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Sheffield Hallam University, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Sheffield Hallam University and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Sheffield Hallam University or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Sheffield Hallam University lists 365 courses.

What can you study at Sheffield Hallam University but not at University of Essex?

Sheffield Hallam University teaches 29 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Medical Imaging, Nutrition & Dietetics, Software Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing and 21 more.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at Sheffield Hallam University?

University of Essex teaches 19 subject areas that Sheffield Hallam University does not, including Philosophy, History of Art & Design, English Literature, Linguistics, Ecology & Conservation, Ancient Languages, Welsh Studies, Genetics & Genomics and 11 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

S
Sheffield Hallam University365 courses · 12 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses