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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
Swansea University

Swansea · QS World #322

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

Swansea

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

4/8

Essex

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Swansea University vs University of Essex at a glance

Swansea University and University of Essex both teach 57 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and History. Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £21,500 at University of Essex, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Swansea University is about £930 a year cheaper.

Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 28 and Swansea University in 3, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £25,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, against £33,000 from University of Essex. Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Swansea University is higher in 17 and University of Essex in 14, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#322
QS World
#438
#301
THE World
#301
#32
Guardian UK
#44
1920
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.

Swansea University

University of Essex

86.1%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.5%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.1%
33.7%

International

International student share

916
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
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.

Swansea

73 countries · 14.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India25.4%
  • 🇨🇳China12.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.2%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.9%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

57 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.

Swansea University

University of Essex

Also taught at both: English Literature, Accounting, Civil Engineering, Teacher Training, Genetics & Genomics, Journalism, Biomedical Sciences, Linguistics, Media & Film Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Biochemistry, Biology, Marketing, American & Comparative Studies, Classical Studies, Health & Social Care, Management, Human Geography & Environment, Biotechnology, Creative Writing, Social Policy & Public Policy, Social Sciences (General), Welsh Studies, Biomedical Engineering, English Studies, Environmental Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Applied Psychology, Social Work, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Human Resource Management, Adult Nursing, Building & Construction, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Nursing (General), Design & Fashion, Clinical & Health Psychology, Landscape Architecture & Design.

Only at Swansea 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

Swansea University
£21,550
University of Essex
£21,500

About the same.

Postgraduate

Swansea University
£22,950
University of Essex
£23,880

Swansea University is about £930 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.

Swansea University

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

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

  • History

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    90%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    84%Satisfaction81%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    86%Satisfaction95%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    90%Satisfaction77%

  • Philosophy

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    No dataSatisfactionNo data

  • Business Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    84%Satisfaction84%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Swansea University

History and Heritage Studies: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with Museum Wales (RS950)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with The National Archives (RS948)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship in History with Museum Wales (RS949)

See details

Deadline: N/A

PhD Studentship in Sustainable Fusion Steels: Whole Lifecycle Design of Tokamak Vacuum Vessel Steels (RS964)

See details

Deadline: N/A

Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarships 2025/26

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

Swansea University vs University of Essex: common questions

Is Swansea University or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £21,500 at University of Essex, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Swansea University is about £930 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 Swansea University and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 57 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, History, Economics, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Mathematics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Philosophy, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Psychology (General) and 45 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Swansea University and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Swansea University or University of Essex offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and University of Essex lists 748 courses.

What can you study at Swansea University but not at University of Essex?

Swansea University teaches 40 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Physics, Education Studies, Chemical Engineering, General Engineering, Medical Sciences, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry and 32 more.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at Swansea University?

University of Essex teaches 17 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Ancient Languages, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Film Production & Cinematography, Liberal Arts and 9 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

S
Swansea University916 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses