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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.

T
The University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #35

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.

10/11

Edinburgh

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

1/11

Essex

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

The University of Edinburgh leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Essex is ahead on satisfaction.

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Essex at a glance

The University of Edinburgh and University of Essex both teach 65 subject areas, the largest being Law, History and Politics & International Relations. The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £8,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, The University of Edinburgh is higher in 28 and University of Essex in 1. The widest gap is in Economics: £38,000 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, against £30,000 from University of Essex. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 17 and The University of Edinburgh in 9, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#35
QS World
#438
#29
THE World
#301
#17
Guardian UK
#44
1583
Established
1964
Yes
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.

The University of Edinburgh

University of Essex

85.3%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

41.6%
33.7%

International

International student share

936
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

112
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.

Edinburgh

122 countries · 41.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.5%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.3%
  • 🇮🇳India5.4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.7%
  • 🇨🇦Canada2.4%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

65 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.

The University of Edinburgh

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Linguistics, Teacher Training, Ecology & Conservation, Accounting, Classical Studies, Management, Social Sciences (General), Social Policy & Public Policy, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, English Language, Genetics & Genomics, Civil Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Ancient Languages, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Media & Film Studies, Applied Psychology, Biotechnology, Creative Writing, Biomedical Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Anthropology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Cultural Studies, Environmental Sciences, Social Work, Biochemistry, Creative Arts (General), Film Production & Cinematography, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Biology, Landscape Architecture & Design, Statistics, Liberal Arts, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Biomedical Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Health & Social Care, Nursing (General), Adult Nursing, Building & Construction, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Technology & Logistics.

Only at The University of Edinburgh

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

The University of Edinburgh
£29,600
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Essex is about £8,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

The University of Edinburgh
No data
University of Essex
£23,880

We do not have reliable international fee data for The University of Edinburgh 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.

The University of Edinburgh

University of Essex

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction93%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    74%Satisfaction81%

  • Philosophy

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    81%Satisfaction84%

  • History of Art & Design

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    81%Satisfaction95%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    82%Satisfaction88%

  • Business Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    83%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 31 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

The University of Edinburgh

Asylum Seeker Scholarship

£21,000

Deadline: N/A

Education Beyond Borders postgraduate scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

Cameron Law Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Online Learning Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Rosedale OSSD University of Edinburgh Scholarship

£10,000

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

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Essex: common questions

Is The University of Edinburgh or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £8,100 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 The University of Edinburgh and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 65 subject areas: Law, History, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Philosophy, Economics, History of Art & Design, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Psychology (General) and 53 more.

Is The University of Edinburgh or University of Essex better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, and £24,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at The University of Edinburgh and 84% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does The University of Edinburgh or University of Essex offer more courses?

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and University of Essex lists 748 courses.

What can you study at The University of Edinburgh but not at University of Essex?

The University of Edinburgh teaches 51 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, Medicine, Physics, French, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Biological Sciences (General) and 43 more.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at The University of Edinburgh?

University of Essex teaches 9 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Welsh Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, English Studies, Performing Arts (General), Human Resource Management and 1 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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The University of Edinburgh936 courses · 112 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses