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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 Buckingham

Buckingham

U
University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 7 datapoints

We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/7

Buckingham

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

5/7

Essex

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 5 of 7 categories where both have data (established, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). University of Buckingham is ahead on employment, graduate salary.

University of Buckingham vs University of Essex at a glance

University of Buckingham and University of Essex both teach 24 subject areas, the largest being History, Politics & International Relations and Economics. University of Buckingham offers 153 courses across 31 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £44,400 a year at University of Buckingham and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £22,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,480 a year at University of Buckingham and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Buckingham is about £7,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Buckingham is higher in 8 and University of Essex in 0. The widest gap is in Social Policy & Public Policy: £30,500 three years after graduating from University of Buckingham, against £24,000 from University of Essex. Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Buckingham is higher in 8 and University of Essex in 0, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#438
—
THE World
#301
—
Guardian UK
#44
1976
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 Buckingham

University of Essex

86.2%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£36,500
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

88%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

26%
33.7%

International

International student share

153
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
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.

Buckingham

39 countries · 26% international

  • 🇨🇦Canada18.3%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates10%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria9.4%
  • 🇦🇺Australia8.9%
  • 🇮🇳India8.9%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

24 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 Buckingham

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Management, Social Policy & Public Policy, Media & Film Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Teacher Training, English Studies, Cultural Studies.

Only at University of Buckingham

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 Buckingham
£44,400
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Essex is about £22,900 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Buckingham
£16,480
University of Essex
£23,880

University of Buckingham is about £7,400 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 Buckingham

University of Essex

  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£23,500
    96%Satisfaction93%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction84%

  • Psychology (General)

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,500
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Accounting

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction78%

  • English Literature

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction83%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    95%SatisfactionNo data

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    96%Satisfaction83%

  • Social Policy & Public Policy

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    No dataSatisfaction88%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    No dataSalary (3 years)£33,000
    99%Satisfaction80%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Buckingham

Beloff Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Coase Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Congdon Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Diversity in Computing Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

Gregory Scholarship

See details

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 Buckingham vs University of Essex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £44,400 a year at University of Buckingham and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £22,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,480 a year at University of Buckingham and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Buckingham is about £7,400 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 Buckingham and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 24 subject areas: History, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Law, History of Art & Design, Philosophy, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Computer Science, Mathematics, Accounting, Childhood & Youth Studies and 12 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from University of Buckingham, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Buckingham and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Buckingham lists 153 courses.

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

University of Buckingham teaches 7 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Humanities, Applied Computing, Education Studies, Medicine, Author Studies & Literary Specialisms, Computing & IT and Personal & Professional Development.

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

University of Essex teaches 50 subject areas that University of Buckingham does not, including Sociology & Criminology, Drama & Theatre, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Journalism, Linguistics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, English Language and 42 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Buckingham153 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses