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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 Derby

Derby · QS World #1201

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.

4/11

Derby

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Essex

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Derby is ahead on TEF, established, satisfaction, employment.

University of Derby vs University of Essex at a glance

University of Derby and University of Essex both teach 48 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Economics. University of Derby offers 375 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Derby and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Derby is about £4,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Derby and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Derby is about £6,380 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 26 and University of Derby in 3. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Derby, against £33,000 from University of Essex. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Derby is higher in 18 and University of Essex in 10, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1201
QS World
#438
#601
THE World
#301
#80
Guardian UK
#44
1851
Established
1964
No
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 Derby

University of Essex

88.5%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£27,700
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

85.4%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.3%
33.7%

International

International student share

375
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

6
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.

Derby

64 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria34.5%
  • 🇮🇳India15.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.1%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana6.5%
  • 🇰🇪Kenya5.5%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

48 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 Derby

University of Essex

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

Only at University of Derby

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 Derby
£16,900
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Derby is about £4,600 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Derby
£17,500
University of Essex
£23,880

University of Derby is about £6,380 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 Derby

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    100%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    93%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    85%Satisfaction88%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    93%SatisfactionNo data

  • Psychology (General)

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    91%Satisfaction77%

  • Computer Science

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    73%Satisfaction81%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£16,500
    99%Satisfaction95%

  • Marketing

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    88%Satisfaction75%

Showing the 12 largest of 33 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Derby

Biomedical Science Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Golding Awards

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sarah Essam Football Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sitwell Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme

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 Derby vs University of Essex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Derby and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Derby is about £4,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Derby and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Derby is about £6,380 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 Derby and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 48 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Law, Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Computer Science, Drama & Theatre, Marketing and 36 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from University of Derby, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at University of Derby and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Derby lists 375 courses.

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

University of Derby teaches 26 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Education Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Architecture, Forensic Science, Personal & Professional Development, Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Music and 18 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 26 subject areas that University of Derby does not, including Philosophy, History of Art & Design, English Literature, Linguistics, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Biotechnology, Ancient Languages and 18 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Derby375 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses