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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 Dundee

Dundee · QS World #447

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.

5/9

Dundee

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

4/9

Essex

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Dundee leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary). University of Essex is ahead on ranking, international, courses, scholarship.

University of Dundee vs University of Essex at a glance

University of Dundee and University of Essex both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and Economics. University of Dundee offers 498 courses across 70 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,150 a year at University of Dundee and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £1,650 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,700 a year at University of Dundee and £23,880 at University of Essex, so the two cost about the same.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 14 and University of Dundee in 7, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £24,500 three years after graduating from University of Dundee, against £33,000 from University of Essex. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Dundee is higher in 12 and University of Essex in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

#447
QS World
#438
#301
THE World
#301
#37
Guardian UK
#44
1881
Established
1964
No
Russell Group
No
—
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 Dundee

University of Essex

90.1%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£35,000
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

17.8%
33.7%

International

International student share

498
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.

Dundee

75 countries · 17.8% international

  • 🇮🇳India15.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria13.6%
  • 🇨🇳China10.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.1%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia4.4%
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 Dundee

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, English Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Design & Fashion, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Nursing (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Teacher Training, Biology, Social Work, Creative Writing, Biochemistry, Anthropology, Biomedical Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Adult Nursing, Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Creative Arts (General).

Only at University of Dundee

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 Dundee
£23,150
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Essex is about £1,650 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Dundee
£23,700
University of Essex
£23,880

About the same.

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 Dundee

University of Essex

  • Law

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

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    74%Satisfaction84%

  • History

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

  • Philosophy

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    95%Satisfaction90%

  • Business Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    96%Satisfaction77%

  • Psychology (General)

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    91%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    97%Satisfaction81%

  • Mathematics

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    83%Satisfaction95%

  • Accounting

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction78%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    84%SatisfactionNo data

Showing the 12 largest of 23 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Dundee

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 Dundee vs University of Essex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,150 a year at University of Dundee and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £1,650 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,700 a year at University of Dundee and £23,880 at University of Essex, so the two cost about the same. 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 Dundee and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, Economics, History, Philosophy, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Computer Science, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Accounting and 30 more.

Is University of Dundee or University of Essex better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from University of Dundee, and £24,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at University of Dundee and 84% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Dundee lists 498 courses.

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

University of Dundee teaches 28 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Dentistry, Medicine, Forensic Science, Anatomy & Pathology, Business Information Systems, Biological Sciences (General), Education Studies, Architecture and 20 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 32 subject areas that University of Dundee does not, including History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, Sport & Exercise Sciences, English Literature, Journalism, Linguistics, English Language, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 24 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Dundee498 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses