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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 Bristol

Bristol · QS World #57

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.

8/11

Bristol

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Essex

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Bristol leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Essex is ahead on employment, international, courses.

University of Bristol vs University of Essex at a glance

University of Bristol and University of Essex both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Economics and History. University of Bristol offers 479 courses across 83 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £9,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £4,580 a year cheaper.

Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bristol is higher in 26 and University of Essex in 0. The widest gap is in Management: £44,000 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, against £27,000 from University of Essex. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Bristol is higher in 19 and University of Essex in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#57
QS World
#438
#80
THE World
#301
#13
Guardian UK
#44
1876
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 Bristol

University of Essex

88%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£43,100
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

77.4%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.6%
33.7%

International

International student share

479
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

54
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.

Bristol

104 countries · 33.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.5%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.8%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

47 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 Bristol

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Social Policy & Public Policy, Linguistics, Marketing, Ancient Languages, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biochemistry, English Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Civil Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Social Sciences (General), Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Creative Writing, Physical Geography & Climate, Welsh Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Media & Film Studies, Social Work, Human Geography & Environment, Liberal Arts, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Statistics, Classical Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Design & Fashion, Anthropology, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management.

Only at University of Bristol

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 Bristol
£31,300
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Essex is about £9,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Bristol
£28,460
University of Essex
£23,880

University of Essex is about £4,580 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 Bristol

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    81%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    90%Satisfaction93%

  • Mathematics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    87%Satisfaction95%

  • Philosophy

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £48,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    93%Satisfaction81%

  • History of Art & Design

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Management

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    84%Satisfaction82%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£16,500
    76%Satisfaction95%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    80%Satisfaction77%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Bristol

Black Heritage PhD Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Black heritage PhD scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships for applicants of Black heritage

100%

Deadline: N/A

British Council scholarships for Women

100%

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 Bristol vs University of Essex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £9,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £4,580 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 Bristol and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Economics, History, Mathematics, Philosophy, Law, Computer Science, History of Art & Design, Sociology & Criminology, Management, Drama & Theatre, Finance & Actuarial Science and 35 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University of Bristol and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Bristol lists 479 courses.

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

University of Bristol teaches 36 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Physics, Anatomy & Pathology, Dentistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Chemistry, Education Studies, Music, General Engineering and 28 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 27 subject areas that University of Bristol does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, English Literature, Journalism, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Applied Psychology, Biotechnology and 19 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Bristol479 courses · 54 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses