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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 Brighton

Brighton · QS World #901

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.

3/10

Brighton

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Essex

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). University of Brighton is ahead on established, employment, graduate salary.

University of Brighton vs University of Essex at a glance

University of Brighton and University of Essex both teach 50 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Economics. University of Brighton offers 255 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,250 a year at University of Brighton and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Brighton is about £4,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,790 a year at University of Brighton and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Brighton is about £5,090 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Brighton is higher in 15 and University of Essex in 13. The widest gap is in Economics: £23,500 three years after graduating from University of Brighton, against £30,000 from University of Essex. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 17 and University of Brighton in 12, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#901
QS World
#438
#601
THE World
#301
#68
Guardian UK
#44
1858
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 Brighton

University of Essex

84.1%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£32,800
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.4%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.3%
33.7%

International

International student share

255
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

22
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.

Brighton

93 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India12.1%
  • 🇨🇳China7.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5%
  • 🇺🇸United States5%
  • 🇪🇬Egypt3.6%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

50 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 Brighton

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Journalism, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Literature, Design & Fashion, Civil Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Business & Management (General), Marketing, Ecology & Conservation, Management, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Creative Writing, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Building & Construction, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Film Production & Cinematography, Human Geography & Environment, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Media & Film Studies, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Work, Environmental Sciences, Health & Social Care, Mental Health Nursing, Statistics, Adult Nursing, Human Resource Management, Teacher Training, Nursing (General), Physical Geography & Climate, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Brighton

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 Brighton
£17,250
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Brighton is about £4,250 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Brighton
£18,790
University of Essex
£23,880

University of Brighton is about £5,090 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 Brighton

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    86%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    97%Satisfaction84%

  • History of Art & Design

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    82%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    81%Satisfaction81%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    82%Satisfaction88%

  • Business Studies

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    78%Satisfaction83%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    87%Satisfaction77%

  • Accounting

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    77%Satisfaction78%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    88%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 32 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Brighton

Ruby Lee Progression scholarship

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

University of Brighton outreach progression scholarships

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Royal Town Planning Institute scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Vice-Chancellor Scholarships

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

Widening Access Bursary

£3,000

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 Brighton vs University of Essex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,250 a year at University of Brighton and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Brighton is about £4,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,790 a year at University of Brighton and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Brighton is about £5,090 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 Brighton and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 50 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Computer Science, Law, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting and 38 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from University of Brighton, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at University of Brighton and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Brighton lists 255 courses.

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

University of Brighton teaches 21 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Architecture, Pharmacy, Aerospace Engineering, Fine Art, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Humanities and 13 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 24 subject areas that University of Brighton does not, including Drama & Theatre, Linguistics, English Language, Biotechnology, Ancient Languages, Welsh Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Genetics & Genomics and 16 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Brighton255 courses · 22 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses