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.
London
Colchester · QS World #438
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 7 datapoints
We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
4/7
Law
scored higher in 4 categories
3/7
Essex
scored higher in 3 categories
Quick Verdict
The University of Law leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary). University of Essex is ahead on international, courses, scholarship.
The University of Law vs University of Essex at a glance
The University of Law and University of Essex both teach 11 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and Business & Management (General). The University of Law offers 125 courses across 13 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,200 a year at The University of Law and £21,500 at University of Essex: The University of Law is about £4,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,600 a year at The University of Law and £23,880 at University of Essex: The University of Law is about £4,280 a year cheaper.
In Law, the one shared subject where both publish a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher. Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, The University of Law is higher in 2 and University of Essex in 2.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
The University of Law
University of Essex
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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.
Law
87 countries · 23.7% international
- 🇮🇳India27.9%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan25.9%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria5.8%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia4.9%
- 🌐Sri Lanka2.8%
Essex
97 countries · 33.7% international
- 🇮🇳India21.2%
- 🇨🇳China11.7%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan6.1%
- 🇫🇷France5.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria4.4%
Subjects
11 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 Law
University of Essex
Law
75 coursesTypical fee £17,200 (UG)
29 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
2 coursesTypical fee £19,600 (PG)
52 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
23 coursesTypical fee £16,700 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
5 coursesTypical fee £18,100 (UG)
28 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Finance & Actuarial Science
2 coursesTypical fee £16,700 (UG)
24 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Psychology (General)
5 coursesTypical fee £18,100 (UG)
20 coursesTypical fee £24,360 (UG)
Accounting
4 coursesTypical fee £17,550 (UG)
19 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Business Studies
1 courseTypical fee £19,050 (PG)
18 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Childhood & Youth Studies
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Mental Health Nursing
Only at The University of Law
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 Law
- £17,200
- University of Essex
- £21,500
The University of Law is about £4,300 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- The University of Law
- £19,600
- University of Essex
- £23,880
The University of Law is about £4,280 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.
The University of Law
University of Essex
Law
£23,000Salary (3 years)£24,00089%Satisfaction84%Sociology & Criminology
No dataSalary (3 years)£24,00082%Satisfaction88%Finance & Actuarial Science
No dataSalary (3 years)£33,00079%Satisfaction77%Accounting
No dataSalary (3 years)£26,50076%Satisfaction78%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveThe University of Law
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
FAQ
The University of Law vs University of Essex: common questions
Is The University of Law or University of Essex cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,200 a year at The University of Law and £21,500 at University of Essex: The University of Law is about £4,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,600 a year at The University of Law and £23,880 at University of Essex: The University of Law is about £4,280 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 Law and University of Essex?
Both universities teach 11 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Accounting, Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and Mental Health Nursing.
Is The University of Law or University of Essex better for Law?
Law graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from The University of Law, and £24,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at The University of Law 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 Law or University of Essex offer more courses?
University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and The University of Law lists 125 courses.
What can you study at The University of Law but not at University of Essex?
The University of Law teaches 2 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Computing & IT and Software Engineering.
What can you study at University of Essex but not at The University of Law?
University of Essex teaches 63 subject areas that The University of Law does not, including History, Economics, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Computer Science, Drama & Theatre, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Mathematics and 55 more.
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