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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 Bedfordshire

Luton · Guardian UK #99

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.

2/10

Bedfordshire

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Essex

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Bedfordshire is ahead on established, satisfaction.

University of Bedfordshire vs University of Essex at a glance

University of Bedfordshire and University of Essex both teach 41 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations and Law. University of Bedfordshire offers 306 courses across 59 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Bedfordshire and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Bedfordshire is about £4,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 18 and University of Bedfordshire in 4. The widest gap is in Economics: £20,000 three years after graduating from University of Bedfordshire, against £30,000 from University of Essex. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Bedfordshire is higher in 19 and University of Essex in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#438
#1001
THE World
#301
#99
Guardian UK
#44
1882
Established
1964
No
Russell Group
No
Bronze
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 Bedfordshire

University of Essex

88.1%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£28,100
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

77%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

30.1%
33.7%

International

International student share

306
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Bedfordshire

31 countries · 30.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India56.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan10.2%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.1%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.9%
  • 🇷🇴Romania4.6%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

41 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 Bedfordshire

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Journalism, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Language, Linguistics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Human Resource Management, Social Sciences (General), Biotechnology, Applied Psychology, Design & Fashion, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Health & Social Care, Mental Health Nursing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Teacher Training, Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Social Work, Human Geography & Environment, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Bedfordshire

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 Bedfordshire
£16,900
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Bedfordshire is about £4,600 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Bedfordshire
No data
University of Essex
£23,880

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

University of Bedfordshire

University of Essex

  • Business & Management (General)

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    86%SatisfactionNo data

  • Law

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    94%Satisfaction84%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    85%Satisfaction81%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    95%Satisfaction88%

  • Accounting

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    95%Satisfaction78%

  • Psychology (General)

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    80%Satisfaction84%

  • Business Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    91%Satisfaction86%

  • Marketing

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    82%Satisfaction75%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 26 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Bedfordshire

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 Bedfordshire vs University of Essex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Bedfordshire and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Bedfordshire is about £4,600 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 Bedfordshire and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 41 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Law, Economics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Computer Science, Philosophy, Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 29 more.

Is University of Bedfordshire or University of Essex better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £22,000 three years after graduating from University of Bedfordshire, and £27,000 from University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Bedfordshire lists 306 courses.

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

University of Bedfordshire teaches 18 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Education Studies, Software Engineering, Pharmacology, Games Design & Computer Animation, Biological Sciences (General), Computing & IT, General Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology and 10 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 33 subject areas that University of Bedfordshire does not, including History, History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, Mathematics, English Literature, Management, Ecology & Conservation, Creative Writing and 25 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Bedfordshire306 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses