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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.

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University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

U
University of Glasgow

Glasgow · QS World #80

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.

2/11

Essex

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

Glasgow

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Glasgow leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Essex is ahead on satisfaction, scholarship.

University of Essex vs University of Glasgow at a glance

University of Essex and University of Glasgow both teach 56 subject areas, the largest being History, Politics & International Relations and Law. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Glasgow offers 1,022 courses across 97 subject areas.

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £15,160 at University of Glasgow: University of Glasgow is about £8,720 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Glasgow is higher in 15 and University of Essex in 12, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Creative Arts (General): £17,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £24,000 from University of Glasgow. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Glasgow is higher in 16 and University of Essex in 11, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#80
#301
THE World
#84
#44
Guardian UK
#12
1964
Established
1451
No
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
—

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 Glasgow

87.2%
86.1%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
81.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
35.9%

International

International student share

748
1022

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
4

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

Glasgow

121 countries · 35.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China51.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States7.4%
  • 🇮🇳India7%
  • 🌐Kuwait1.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong1.5%

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 Glasgow

Also taught at both: English Language, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting, Teacher Training, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Ancient Languages, Social Policy & Public Policy, Ecology & Conservation, Linguistics, Business & Management (General), Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Biotechnology, Civil Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Statistics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Creative Writing, Media & Film Studies, Social Sciences (General), Biomedical Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Health & Social Care, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Environmental Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Genetics & Genomics, Welsh Studies, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Nursing (General), Design & Fashion, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Building & Construction, Creative Arts (General).

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Glasgow

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 Glasgow
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Glasgow yet.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Glasgow
£15,160

University of Glasgow is about £8,720 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 Glasgow

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    93%Satisfaction90%

  • Politics & International Relations

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

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    84%Satisfaction79%

  • Mathematics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    95%Satisfaction82%

  • Philosophy

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Management

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    82%Satisfaction73%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    84%Satisfaction91%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    81%Satisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • English Literature

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    83%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 32 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 Glasgow

Minerva Scholarships

£22,000

Deadline: N/A

Excellence Bursaries

100%

Deadline: N/A

Travel Bursaries

£50

Deadline: N/A

School of Computing Science postgraduate research excellence bursaries

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Glasgow: common questions

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

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £15,160 at University of Glasgow: University of Glasgow is about £8,720 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 Glasgow?

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

Is University of Essex or University of Glasgow better for History?

History graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £23,500 from University of Glasgow. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at University of Essex and 90% at University of Glasgow. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Glasgow lists 1,022 courses on CourseOptions and University of Essex lists 748 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 18 subject areas that University of Glasgow does not, including Journalism, Applied Psychology, Biology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Liberal Arts, English Studies and 10 more.

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

University of Glasgow teaches 41 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Spanish & Portuguese, Eastern European Languages, Information Systems & Data Science, Physics, Theology & Religious Studies, Celtic Studies, Music, Education Studies and 33 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 Glasgow1,022 courses · 4 scholarshipsBrowse Courses