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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
SOAS University of London

London · QS World #458

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.

2/10

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Essex

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, international, courses, scholarship). SOAS University of London is ahead on established, graduate salary.

SOAS University of London vs University of Essex at a glance

SOAS University of London and University of Essex both teach 22 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Economics. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £2,280 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £1,440 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 10 and University of Essex in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Politics & International Relations: £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £25,000 from University of Essex. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, SOAS University of London is higher in 6 and University of Essex in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

#458
QS World
#438
#401
THE World
#301
#86
Guardian UK
#44
1916
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.

SOAS University of London

University of Essex

84.1%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
33.7%

International

International student share

296
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
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.

SOAS University of London

67 countries · 25.7% international

  • 🇨🇳China10.9%
  • 🇮🇳India10.6%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.6%
  • 🇫🇷France3.6%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

22 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.

SOAS University of London

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, Social Sciences (General), Civil Engineering, Liberal Arts, Social Policy & Public Policy, Cultural Studies.

Only at SOAS 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

SOAS University of London
£23,780
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Essex is about £2,280 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
University of Essex
£23,880

University of Essex is about £1,440 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.

SOAS University of London

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • History of Art & Design

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    97%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    77%Satisfaction84%

  • Philosophy

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Accounting

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction78%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    82%SatisfactionNo data

  • Linguistics

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    98%Satisfaction92%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    73%Satisfaction82%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

SOAS University of London

SOAS International Academic Excellence Scholarship

£20,000

Deadline: May 2026

SOAS Sustainable Development Goal Scholarship

£15,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

SOAS Academic Excellence Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: May 2026

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

SOAS University of London vs University of Essex: common questions

Is SOAS University of London or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £2,280 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £1,440 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 SOAS University of London and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 22 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Media & Film Studies, History of Art & Design, Law, Philosophy, Sociology & Criminology, Ancient Languages, Finance & Actuarial Science, Anthropology, Accounting and 10 more.

Is SOAS University of London or University of Essex better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at SOAS 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 SOAS University of London or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and SOAS University of London lists 296 courses.

What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at University of Essex?

SOAS University of London teaches 7 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Music, International Development, Theology & Religious Studies, Archaeology and Biological Sciences (General).

What can you study at University of Essex but not at SOAS University of London?

University of Essex teaches 52 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Computer Science, Drama & Theatre, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Mathematics, Psychology (General), Business Studies, English Literature, Journalism and 44 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

S
SOAS University of London296 courses · 27 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses