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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 Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

U
University of Exeter

Devon · QS World #136

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/12

Essex

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

10/12

Exeter

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Exeter leads in 10 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). University of Essex is ahead on international, scholarship.

University of Essex vs University of Exeter at a glance

University of Essex and University of Exeter both teach 56 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Mathematics. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £24,950 at University of Exeter: University of Essex is about £3,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £25,550 at University of Exeter: University of Essex is about £1,670 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Exeter is higher in 23 and University of Essex in 4. The widest gap is in Accounting: £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £43,500 from University of Exeter. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Exeter is higher in 19 and University of Essex in 8, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#136
#301
THE World
#170
#44
Guardian UK
#14
1964
Established
1922
No
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

University of Essex

University of Exeter

87.2%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£39,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
82.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
22.2%

International

International student share

748
873

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
2

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.

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Exeter

111 countries · 22.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China25.1%
  • 🇮🇳India10.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong10%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States2.8%

Subjects

56 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 Essex

University of Exeter

Also taught at both: Accounting, Business Studies, Classical Studies, English Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Biomedical Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Ancient Languages, Management, Media & Film Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Language, Social Sciences (General), Creative Writing, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Environmental Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Biology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Genetics & Genomics, Liberal Arts, Performing Arts (General), Anthropology, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Biomedical Engineering, Nursing (General), Statistics, American & Comparative Studies, Cultural Studies, Adult Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Building & Construction, Landscape Architecture & Design.

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Exeter

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 Essex
£21,500
University of Exeter
£24,950

University of Essex is about £3,450 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Exeter
£25,550

University of Essex is about £1,670 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 Essex

University of Exeter

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    93%Satisfaction92%

  • Mathematics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    95%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Philosophy

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    77%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    No dataSatisfaction84%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    84%Satisfaction93%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

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 →

University of Exeter

Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

Carolyn and Andrew Trevorrow Memorial Fund Travel Bursaries

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Exeter: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £24,950 at University of Exeter: University of Essex is about £3,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £25,550 at University of Exeter: University of Essex is about £1,670 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 Essex and University of Exeter?

Both universities teach 56 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Mathematics, Law, Philosophy, Economics, History of Art & Design, Finance & Actuarial Science, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Psychology (General) and 44 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £30,500 from University of Exeter. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 88% at University of Exeter. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Exeter lists 873 courses on CourseOptions and University of Essex lists 748 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 18 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including English Literature, Journalism, Linguistics, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Biotechnology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Welsh Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology and 10 more.

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

University of Exeter teaches 35 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Physics, General Engineering, Theology & Religious Studies, Archaeology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Zoology & Animal Biology, Anatomy & Pathology, Chemical Engineering and 27 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Exeter873 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses