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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 East Anglia UEA

Norwich · QS World #381

U
University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

7/10

East Anglia UEA

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

Essex

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of East Anglia UEA leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Essex is ahead on satisfaction, international, courses.

University of East Anglia UEA vs University of Essex at a glance

University of East Anglia UEA and University of Essex both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Economics and History. University of East Anglia UEA offers 497 courses across 77 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,100 a year at University of East Anglia UEA and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £1,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,850 a year at University of East Anglia UEA and £23,880 at University of Essex, so the two cost about the same.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of East Anglia UEA is higher in 14 and University of Essex in 13, with 7 about level. The widest gap is in Social Work: £32,000 three years after graduating from University of East Anglia UEA, against £26,500 from University of Essex. Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 19 and University of East Anglia UEA in 15, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#381
QS World
#438
#251
THE World
#301
#27
Guardian UK
#44
1963
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 East Anglia UEA

University of Essex

86.7%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£33,200
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.9%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.3%
33.7%

International

International student share

497
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

36
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.

East Anglia UEA

67 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇨🇳China27%
  • 🇮🇳India9.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong8.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.7%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

51 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 East Anglia UEA

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Accounting, Management, Psychology (General), Marketing, Journalism, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Human Geography & Environment, Ancient Languages, Creative Writing, Business & Management (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Health & Social Care, Environmental Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Film Production & Cinematography, Liberal Arts, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Genetics & Genomics, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Developmental & Educational Psychology, American & Comparative Studies, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Biomedical Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Human Resource Management, Teacher Training.

Only at University of East Anglia UEA

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 East Anglia UEA
£23,100
University of Essex
£21,500

University of Essex is about £1,600 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of East Anglia UEA
£23,850
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 East Anglia UEA

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    85%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    96%Satisfaction88%

  • Philosophy

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • English Literature

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    80%Satisfaction81%

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction84%

  • Business Studies

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    77%Satisfaction83%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£16,500
    95%Satisfaction95%

  • Mathematics

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    84%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 38 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of East Anglia UEA

David TK Wong Fellowship

£26,000

Deadline: N/A

Norwich UNESCO City of Literature Creative Writing in the Community Bursary

£15,018

Deadline: N/A

Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement – John Innes Centre MSc Scholarship

£13,250

Deadline: N/A

MBAdvantage Scholarship

£12,000

Deadline: May 2026

9mobile Fellowship

£10,000

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 East Anglia UEA vs University of Essex: common questions

Is University of East Anglia UEA or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,100 a year at University of East Anglia UEA and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £1,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,850 a year at University of East Anglia UEA 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 East Anglia UEA and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Economics, History, History of Art & Design, Philosophy, English Literature, Computer Science, Law, Business Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Drama & Theatre, Mathematics and 39 more.

Is University of East Anglia UEA or University of Essex better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,500 three years after graduating from University of East Anglia UEA, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at University of East Anglia UEA and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of East Anglia UEA or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of East Anglia UEA lists 497 courses.

What can you study at University of East Anglia UEA but not at University of Essex?

University of East Anglia UEA teaches 26 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Chemistry, Education Studies, International Development, Geology & Earth Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Computing & IT, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and 18 more.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at University of East Anglia UEA?

University of Essex teaches 23 subject areas that University of East Anglia UEA does not, including Linguistics, English Language, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Biotechnology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Civil Engineering and 15 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of East Anglia UEA497 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses