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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
Southampton, Solent University

Southampton

U
University of Essex

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.

4/8

Southampton

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

4/8

Essex

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Southampton, Solent University and University of Essex are evenly matched: each leads in 4 of 8 categories where both have data. Southampton, Solent University is ahead on TEF, established, satisfaction, employment; University of Essex on international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship.

Southampton, Solent University vs University of Essex at a glance

Southampton, Solent University and University of Essex both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Sport & Exercise Sciences and Law. Southampton, Solent University offers 294 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,080 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Southampton, Solent University is about £2,420 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,350 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Southampton, Solent University is about £5,530 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 15 and Southampton, Solent University in 3. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £22,500 three years after graduating from Southampton, Solent University, against £33,000 from University of Essex. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Southampton, Solent University is higher in 12 and University of Essex in 3, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#438
—
THE World
#301
—
Guardian UK
#44
1855
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.

Southampton, Solent University

University of Essex

88.2%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£28,100
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.5%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.9%
33.7%

International

International student share

294
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
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.

Southampton

56 countries · 14.9% international

  • 🇮🇳India39%
  • 🇳🇴Norway6.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.3%
  • 🌐Morocco2.4%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

30 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.

Southampton, Solent University

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Management, Social Sciences (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies, Marketing, Applied Psychology, Building & Construction, Childhood & Youth Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Technology & Logistics, Health & Social Care, Social Work, Adult Nursing.

Only at Southampton, Solent 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

Southampton, Solent University
£19,080
University of Essex
£21,500

Southampton, Solent University is about £2,420 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Southampton, Solent University
£18,350
University of Essex
£23,880

Southampton, Solent University is about £5,530 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.

Southampton, Solent University

University of Essex

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    95%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    96%Satisfaction84%

  • Business Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    93%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    84%Satisfaction81%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Accounting

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    No dataSatisfaction78%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    81%Satisfaction77%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    87%SatisfactionNo data

  • Drama & Theatre

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£16,500
    100%Satisfaction95%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    77%Satisfaction86%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Journalism

    £21,000Salary (3 years)No data
    92%Satisfaction78%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Southampton, Solent University

Solent Postgraduate Taught International Excellence Scholarship

£1,500

Deadline: N/A

Carers Bursary

£1,200

Deadline: Jun 2026

Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman, Boater community bursary

£500

Deadline: Jun 2026

Undergraduate Apprenticeship Bursary

£200

Deadline: Jun 2026

Parents bursary

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

Southampton, Solent University vs University of Essex: common questions

Is Southampton, Solent University or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,080 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Southampton, Solent University is about £2,420 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,350 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Southampton, Solent University is about £5,530 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 Southampton, Solent University and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 30 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Law, Business Studies, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Design & Fashion, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General), Drama & Theatre, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 18 more.

Is Southampton, Solent University or University of Essex better for Sport & Exercise Sciences?

Sport & Exercise Sciences graduates earn a median £22,000 three years after graduating from Southampton, Solent University, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at Southampton, Solent University and 87% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Southampton, Solent University or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Southampton, Solent University lists 294 courses.

What can you study at Southampton, Solent University but not at University of Essex?

Southampton, Solent University teaches 12 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Music, Software Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Chemical Engineering, Crafts & Applied Arts, Fine Art and 4 more.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at Southampton, Solent University?

University of Essex teaches 44 subject areas that Southampton, Solent University does not, including History, Economics, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, English Literature, Linguistics, Ecology & Conservation, English Language and 36 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

S
Southampton, Solent University294 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses