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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 Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

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.

7/11

Birmingham

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

4/11

Essex

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, graduate salary). University of Essex is ahead on satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship.

University of Birmingham vs University of Essex at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of Essex both teach 60 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Law. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £5,590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Birmingham is about £490 a year cheaper.

Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 27 and University of Essex in 4, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £37,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £26,500 from University of Essex. Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 18 and University of Birmingham in 17, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#438
#98
THE World
#301
#18
Guardian UK
#44
1900
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.

University of Birmingham

University of Essex

86.7%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
33.7%

International

International student share

663
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.

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China55.7%
  • 🇮🇳India9.4%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

60 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 Birmingham

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Marketing, Accounting, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Civil Engineering, English Literature, Linguistics, Health & Social Care, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Language, Management, Teacher Training, Ancient Languages, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Social Sciences (General), Creative Writing, Media & Film Studies, Applied Psychology, Environmental Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Biotechnology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biology, Classical Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Nursing (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biochemistry, English Studies, Social Work, Anthropology, Liberal Arts, Adult Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Film Production & Cinematography, Genetics & Genomics, Statistics, Human Geography & Environment, Mental Health Nursing, Human Resource Management, Physical Geography & Climate, Developmental & Educational Psychology.

Only at University of Birmingham

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 Birmingham
£27,090
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Essex is about £5,590 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of Essex
£23,880

University of Birmingham is about £490 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 Birmingham

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Philosophy

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    93%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    85%Satisfaction84%

  • History of Art & Design

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    93%Satisfaction81%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    85%Satisfaction95%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    80%Satisfaction77%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£16,500
    91%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 39 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Birmingham

Enhanced Chamberlain Award

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

University Music Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

University Music Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

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 Birmingham vs University of Essex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £5,590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Birmingham is about £490 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 Birmingham and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 60 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Law, Philosophy, Economics, History of Art & Design, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Mathematics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Drama & Theatre and 48 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £28,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Birmingham and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Birmingham lists 663 courses.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 41 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Physics, Music, Chemistry, Education Studies, Theology & Religious Studies, Chemical Engineering and 33 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 14 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Journalism, Ecology & Conservation, Welsh Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Performing Arts (General), American & Comparative Studies and 6 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses