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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.

U
UCL (University College London)

Camden · QS World #8

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.

9/11

UCL (University College London)

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

Essex

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

UCL (University College London) leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Essex is ahead on satisfaction, scholarship.

UCL (University College London) vs University of Essex at a glance

UCL (University College London) and University of Essex both teach 59 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Economics and History. UCL (University College London) offers 1,131 courses across 109 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £8,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £10,820 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, UCL (University College London) is higher in 25 and University of Essex in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £51,000 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), against £33,500 from University of Essex. Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 13 and UCL (University College London) in 11, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#8
QS World
#438
#22
THE World
#301
#9
Guardian UK
#44
1826
Established
1964
Yes
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.

UCL (University College London)

University of Essex

86.5%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£46,400
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80.4%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

51.9%
33.7%

International

International student share

1131
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

18
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.

UCL (University College London)

127 countries · 51.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.3%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.2%
  • 🇮🇳India3.4%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.4%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

59 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.

UCL (University College London)

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Management, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Linguistics, Civil Engineering, Accounting, Business Studies, Ecology & Conservation, English Literature, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Anthropology, Social Sciences (General), Design & Fashion, English Language, Human Geography & Environment, Biotechnology, Building & Construction, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Health & Social Care, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biology, Media & Film Studies, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Statistics, Biochemistry, Creative Writing, Welsh Studies, Genetics & Genomics, Biomedical Engineering, Developmental & Educational Psychology, English Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Classical Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Landscape Architecture & Design, Performing Arts (General), American & Comparative Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Arts (General).

Only at UCL (University College 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

UCL (University College London)
£29,800
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Essex is about £8,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

UCL (University College London)
£34,700
University of Essex
£23,880

University of Essex is about £10,820 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.

UCL (University College London)

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £45,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    79%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £41,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction71%

  • Computer Science

    £51,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    80%Satisfaction81%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    87%Satisfaction95%

  • Philosophy

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Psychology (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Ancient Languages

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction84%

  • History of Art & Design

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    97%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

UCL (University College London)

Commercial Bar Opportunity Scholarship

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

UCL Department of Arts and Sciences (UASc) Interdisciplinary Excellence PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Law Society Pro Bono Bursary

£250

Deadline: N/A

Alonso Gurmendi Dunkelberg, UCL Graduate Research Scholarship

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

UCL (University College London) vs University of Essex: common questions

Is UCL (University College London) or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £8,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £10,820 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 UCL (University College London) and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 59 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Economics, History, Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Mathematics, Philosophy, Psychology (General), Ancient Languages, Law, History of Art & Design and 47 more.

Is UCL (University College London) or University of Essex better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at UCL (University College London) and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does UCL (University College London) or University of Essex offer more courses?

UCL (University College London) lists 1,131 courses on CourseOptions and University of Essex lists 748 courses.

What can you study at UCL (University College London) but not at University of Essex?

UCL (University College London) teaches 50 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Eastern European Languages, French, Geology & Earth Sciences, Planning & Housing, Italian, Physics, Chemical Engineering and 42 more.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at UCL (University College London)?

University of Essex teaches 15 subject areas that UCL (University College London) does not, including Drama & Theatre, Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Applied Psychology, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Liberal Arts, Environmental Sciences and 7 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
UCL (University College London)1,131 courses · 18 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses