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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 London

London · QS World #1001

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.

3/10

East London

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Essex

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of East London vs University of Essex at a glance

University of East London and University of Essex both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and Economics. University of East London offers 386 courses across 64 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,560 a year at University of East London and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of East London is about £5,940 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,220 a year at University of East London and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of East London is about £6,660 a year cheaper.

Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 20 and University of East London in 6. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £22,500 three years after graduating from University of East London, against £33,000 from University of Essex. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of East London is higher in 20 and University of Essex in 9, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#438
#1001
THE World
#301
#111
Guardian UK
#44
1892
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 London

University of Essex

89.4%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£27,000
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.9%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

49.4%
33.7%

International

International student share

386
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.

East London

76 countries · 49.4% international

  • 🇮🇳India60.2%
  • 🌐Nepal18.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan9.1%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria2.8%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka1.7%
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 East London

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Management, Civil Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism, Marketing, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Building & Construction, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Film Production & Cinematography, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Media & Film Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Social Work, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Human Resource Management, Human Geography & Environment, Mental Health Nursing, Adult Nursing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Health & Social Care, Teacher Training, Clinical & Health Psychology, Nursing (General).

Only at University of East London

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 London
£15,560
University of Essex
£21,500

University of East London is about £5,940 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of East London
£17,220
University of Essex
£23,880

University of East London is about £6,660 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 East London

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    96%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    77%Satisfaction84%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    100%Satisfaction71%

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    95%Satisfaction81%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£16,500
    98%Satisfaction95%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    93%Satisfaction84%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    87%Satisfaction77%

  • Accounting

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    96%Satisfaction78%

  • Business Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    92%Satisfaction83%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of East London

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 London vs University of Essex: common questions

Is University of East London or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,560 a year at University of East London and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of East London is about £5,940 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,220 a year at University of East London and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of East London is about £6,660 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 East London and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, Economics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Drama & Theatre, Psychology (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Design & Fashion and 31 more.

Is University of East London 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 East London, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 96% at University of East London 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 London or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of East London lists 386 courses.

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

University of East London teaches 21 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Education Studies, General Engineering, Architecture, Computing & IT, Applied Computing, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Anatomy & Pathology and 13 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 31 subject areas that University of East London does not, including History, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, English Literature, Linguistics, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Social Sciences (General) and 23 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of East London386 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses