Skip to main content

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 Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

U
University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

8/12

Cambridge

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

4/12

Essex

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge leads in 8 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, graduate salary). University of Essex is ahead on employment, international, courses, scholarship.

University of Cambridge vs University of Essex at a glance

University of Cambridge and University of Essex both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Economics. University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £11,390 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £17,420 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 12 and University of Essex in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £63,500 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, against £33,500 from University of Essex. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 8 and University of Essex in 3.

World & National Rankings

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

#6
QS World
#438
#3
THE World
#301
#2
Guardian UK
#44
1209
Established
1964
Yes
Russell Group
No
Gold
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 Cambridge

University of Essex

92.1%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£49,800
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

76.6%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.2%
33.7%

International

International student share

336
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

43 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 Cambridge

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Childhood & Youth Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Linguistics, Biomedical Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Creative Writing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biology, Biotechnology, Genetics & Genomics, Ancient Languages, Human Geography & Environment, Media & Film Studies, Civil Engineering, English Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Welsh Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Biochemistry, Classical Studies, Statistics, Anthropology, Building & Construction, Health & Social Care, American & Comparative Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology, Landscape Architecture & Design, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Cambridge

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 Cambridge
£32,890
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Essex is about £11,390 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Cambridge
£41,300
University of Essex
£23,880

University of Essex is about £17,420 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 Cambridge

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    No dataSatisfaction86%

  • History

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £59,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Philosophy

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    93%Satisfaction90%

  • History of Art & Design

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £49,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    96%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £44,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Computer Science

    £63,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    94%Satisfaction81%

  • Psychology (General)

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    92%Satisfaction84%

  • Linguistics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    97%Satisfaction89%

  • English Studies

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    96%Satisfaction86%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Cambridge

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 Cambridge vs University of Essex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £11,390 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £17,420 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 Cambridge and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Philosophy, Sociology & Criminology, History of Art & Design, Law, Mathematics, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Business Studies and 31 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £34,000 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

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

University of Cambridge teaches 36 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Biological Sciences (General), Asian Languages & Studies, General Engineering, Archaeology, Architecture, Clinical Specialities, Physics, Theology & Religious Studies and 28 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 31 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Drama & Theatre, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting, English Literature, Journalism, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Marketing and 23 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses