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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 Bradford

Bradford · QS World #497

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.

0/10

Bradford

scored higher in 0 categories

VS

10/10

Essex

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 10 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Bradford does not lead in any category where both have data.

University of Bradford vs University of Essex at a glance

University of Bradford and University of Essex both teach 31 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Economics and Law. University of Bradford offers 211 courses across 49 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,890 a year at University of Bradford and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Bradford is about £4,610 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,700 a year at University of Bradford and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Bradford is about £8,180 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 18 and University of Bradford in 1. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £23,000 three years after graduating from University of Bradford, against £33,000 from University of Essex. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 12 and University of Bradford in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

#497
QS World
#438
#501
THE World
#301
#64
Guardian UK
#44
1966
Established
1964
No
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 Bradford

University of Essex

82.9%
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

78.7%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.1%
33.7%

International

International student share

211
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

23
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.

Bradford

45 countries · 25.1% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.5%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria21.1%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🌐Kuwait5%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana4.4%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

31 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 Bradford

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Childhood & Youth Studies, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Adult Nursing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biomedical Sciences, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Social Work, Anthropology, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Building & Construction, Clinical & Health Psychology, Nursing (General).

Only at University of Bradford

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 Bradford
£16,890
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Bradford is about £4,610 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Bradford
£15,700
University of Essex
£23,880

University of Bradford is about £8,180 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 Bradford

University of Essex

  • Economics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    82%Satisfaction81%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    77%Satisfaction88%

  • Business Studies

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £17,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    80%Satisfaction84%

  • Accounting

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    75%Satisfaction78%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    87%SatisfactionNo data

  • Marketing

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    67%Satisfaction75%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    91%Satisfaction84%

  • Biomedical Engineering

    £25,500Salary (3 years)No data
    77%Satisfaction89%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    78%Satisfaction80%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Bradford

Bestway Foundation Scholarships for Students from Pakistan

£35,000

Deadline: N/A

Disabled Students' Allowance

£26,291

Deadline: N/A

MSc Artificial Intelligence & Space Technology Scholarship (2026/27)

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Chinese Articulation Agreement (2025/26)

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

NHS Learning Support Fund

£5,000

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 Bradford vs University of Essex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,890 a year at University of Bradford and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Bradford is about £4,610 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,700 a year at University of Bradford and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Bradford is about £8,180 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 Bradford and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 31 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Economics, Law, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies, Psychology (General), Accounting, Business & Management (General), Marketing, Management and 19 more.

Is University of Bradford or University of Essex better for Economics?

Economics graduates earn a median £28,000 three years after graduating from University of Bradford, and £30,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at University of Bradford and 84% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Bradford lists 211 courses.

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

University of Bradford teaches 18 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Chemical Engineering, Software Engineering, Forensic Science, Mechanical Engineering, Pharmacy, Anatomy & Pathology, General Engineering, Biological Sciences (General) and 10 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 43 subject areas that University of Bradford does not, including History, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Mathematics, English Literature, Journalism and 35 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Bradford211 courses · 23 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses