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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.

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University of Chester

Chester · Guardian UK #91

U
University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/9

Chester

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

7/9

Essex

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Chester is ahead on established, employment.

University of Chester vs University of Essex at a glance

University of Chester and University of Essex both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Sociology & Criminology. University of Chester offers 329 courses across 73 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £14,950 a year at University of Chester and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Chester is about £6,550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,500 a year at University of Chester and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Chester is about £8,380 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 27 and University of Chester in 2. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £21,500 three years after graduating from University of Chester, against £33,000 from University of Essex. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 14 and University of Chester in 9, with 5 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#438
#1501
THE World
#301
#91
Guardian UK
#44
1839
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 Chester

University of Essex

83.9%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£27,400
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.7%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

28.7%
33.7%

International

International student share

329
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
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.

Chester

52 countries · 28.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India32.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria11.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka7.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

42 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 Chester

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Business Studies, English Literature, Marketing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Creative Writing, Design & Fashion, Ancient Languages, Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Media & Film Studies, Adult Nursing, Biology, Mental Health Nursing, Film Production & Cinematography, Social Work, English Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Performing Arts (General), Teacher Training, Health & Social Care, Building & Construction, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Chester

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 Chester
£14,950
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Chester is about £6,550 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Chester
£15,500
University of Essex
£23,880

University of Chester is about £8,380 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 Chester

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    83%Satisfaction81%

  • Psychology (General)

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    82%Satisfaction84%

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    No dataSatisfaction71%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    77%Satisfaction77%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £18,000Salary (3 years)£16,500
    80%Satisfaction95%

  • Mathematics

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    No dataSatisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 31 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Chester

NHS Learning Support Fund

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Visit Us Travel Bursary

£100

Deadline: N/A

Futures Employability Fund

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 Chester vs University of Essex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £14,950 a year at University of Chester and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Chester is about £6,550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,500 a year at University of Chester and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Chester is about £8,380 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 Chester and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Computer Science, Psychology (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Finance & Actuarial Science, Drama & Theatre, Mathematics and 30 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Chester, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Chester and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Chester lists 329 courses.

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

University of Chester teaches 31 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Archaeology, Software Engineering, Geography (General), Nutrition & Dietetics, Animal Science, Agriculture & Land Management, Games Design & Computer Animation, Learning Disabilities Nursing and 23 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 32 subject areas that University of Chester does not, including Economics, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Linguistics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Civil Engineering and 24 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Chester329 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses