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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
University of Bath

Bath · QS World #125

U
University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

8/12

Bath

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

4/12

Essex

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Bath leads in 8 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary). University of Essex is ahead on established, international, courses, scholarship.

University of Bath vs University of Essex at a glance

University of Bath and University of Essex both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Economics and Computer Science. University of Bath offers 303 courses across 49 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,000 a year at University of Bath and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £10,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at University of Bath and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £5,620 a year cheaper.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bath is higher in 16 and University of Essex in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £45,500 three years after graduating from University of Bath, against £30,000 from University of Essex. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Bath is higher in 11 and University of Essex in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#125
QS World
#438
#251
THE World
#301
#7
Guardian UK
#44
1966
Established
1964
Yes
Russell Group
No
Gold
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 Bath

University of Essex

88.6%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£47,400
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80.9%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

23.8%
33.7%

International

International student share

303
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

25
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.

Bath

96 countries · 23.8% international

  • 🇮🇳India15.2%
  • 🇨🇳China9.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong8.2%
  • 🇹🇭Thailand7.1%
  • 🇪🇸Spain5.2%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

35 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 Bath

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Biotechnology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Ancient Languages, Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Applied Psychology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Health & Social Care, Social Work, Statistics, Clinical & Health Psychology, Human Resource Management, Building & Construction, Physical Geography & Climate, Teacher Training.

Only at University of Bath

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 Bath
£32,000
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Essex is about £10,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Bath
£29,500
University of Essex
£23,880

University of Essex is about £5,620 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 Bath

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £45,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £39,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    85%Satisfaction81%

  • Mathematics

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    82%Satisfaction95%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    94%Satisfaction77%

  • Psychology (General)

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

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)No data
    77%Satisfaction75%

  • Accounting

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    94%Satisfaction78%

  • Management

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    91%Satisfaction82%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    85%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 18 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Bath

Alumni Fund Post Graduate Sanctuary Scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

The Vice Chancellor's International Scholarships

£12,400

Deadline: N/A

Bath Global Excellence Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM

100%

Deadline: N/A

GREAT Scholarships 2026

£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

University of Bath vs University of Essex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,000 a year at University of Bath and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £10,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at University of Bath and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £5,620 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 Bath and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 35 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Economics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Accounting, Management, Business Studies and 23 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £38,000 three years after graduating from University of Bath, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at University of Bath and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Bath lists 303 courses.

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

University of Bath teaches 14 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, International Development, Chemical Engineering, Education Studies, Aerospace Engineering, Architecture and 6 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 39 subject areas that University of Bath does not, including History, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Law, Drama & Theatre, English Literature, Journalism, Linguistics and 31 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Bath303 courses · 25 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses