Skip to main content

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
University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen · QS World #288

U
University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/10

Aberdeen

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Essex

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Aberdeen leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, graduate salary). University of Essex is ahead on employment, international, courses, scholarship.

University of Aberdeen vs University of Essex at a glance

University of Aberdeen and University of Essex both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and Economics. University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Aberdeen is about £700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Aberdeen is about £880 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 13 and University of Aberdeen in 7, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Biomedical Sciences: £36,000 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, against £28,500 from University of Essex. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 15 and University of Essex in 8, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#288
QS World
#438
#201
THE World
#301
#22
Guardian UK
#44
1495
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.

University of Aberdeen

University of Essex

89.2%
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

78.3%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.8%
33.7%

International

International student share

597
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
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.

Aberdeen

81 countries · 18.8% international

  • 🇨🇳China20.2%
  • 🇮🇳India14.1%
  • 🇺🇸United States8.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

45 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.

University of Aberdeen

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Sport & Exercise Sciences, Linguistics, Anthropology, Ancient Languages, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Civil Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Marketing, Teacher Training, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biotechnology, Creative Writing, Human Geography & Environment, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biology, Health & Social Care, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Genetics & Genomics, Liberal Arts, Media & Film Studies, Biochemistry, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Human Resource Management, Physical Geography & Climate, Building & Construction.

Only at University of Aberdeen

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

University of Aberdeen
£20,800
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Aberdeen is about £700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Aberdeen
£23,000
University of Essex
£23,880

University of Aberdeen is about £880 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.

University of Aberdeen

University of Essex

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction84%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    92%Satisfaction93%

  • Philosophy

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    82%Satisfaction90%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    84%Satisfaction77%

  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£33,500
    77%Satisfaction81%

  • Management

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    79%Satisfaction82%

  • History of Art & Design

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    100%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Business Studies

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    100%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen Global Scholarship - Postgraduate

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Aberdeen Global Scholarship - Postgraduate

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Aberdeen Global Scholarship - Undergraduate and PGDE

£6,000

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

University of Aberdeen vs University of Essex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,800 a year at University of Aberdeen and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Aberdeen is about £700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,000 a year at University of Aberdeen and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Aberdeen is about £880 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 University of Aberdeen and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, Economics, History, Philosophy, Finance & Actuarial Science, Computer Science, Management, History of Art & Design, Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Business Studies and 33 more.

Is University of Aberdeen or University of Essex better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Aberdeen, and £24,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at University of Aberdeen and 84% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Aberdeen or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses.

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

University of Aberdeen teaches 35 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Chemical Engineering, Celtic Studies, Education Studies, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Scottish Gaelic and 27 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 29 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Drama & Theatre, English Literature, Journalism, English Language, Business & Management (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology and 21 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Aberdeen597 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses