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.
Colchester · QS World #438
Cheltenham · Guardian UK #103
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.
7/9
Essex
scored higher in 7 categories
2/9
Gloucestershire
scored higher in 2 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Essex leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Gloucestershire is ahead on established, employment.
University of Essex vs University of Gloucestershire at a glance
University of Essex and University of Gloucestershire both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Sociology & Criminology. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Gloucestershire offers 284 courses across 60 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £17,430 at University of Gloucestershire: University of Gloucestershire is about £4,070 a year cheaper.
Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 16 and University of Gloucestershire in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £26,500 from University of Gloucestershire. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Gloucestershire is higher in 15 and University of Essex in 12.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
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 Gloucestershire
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
Gloucestershire
28 countries · 18.9% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan40.4%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
- 🇮🇳India12.4%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.9%
- 🇺🇸United States5.2%
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 Essex
University of Gloucestershire
Politics & International Relations
52 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
2 coursesFee not available
History
44 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £17,430 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
28 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
18 coursesTypical fee £17,430 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
26 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
19 coursesTypical fee £17,430 (UG)
Law
29 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £17,430 (UG)
Business Studies
18 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £17,430 (UG)
Computer Science
26 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £17,430 (UG)
Drama & Theatre
26 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,430 (UG)
Marketing
12 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
15 coursesTypical fee £17,430 (UG)
Psychology (General)
20 coursesTypical fee £24,360 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,690 (UG)
Accounting
19 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,430 (UG)
Finance & Actuarial Science
24 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £16,480 (PG)
Mathematics
23 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £17,950 (PG)
Journalism
17 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £17,430 (UG)
Childhood & Youth Studies
7 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
13 coursesFee not available
Also taught at both: Ecology & Conservation, English Literature, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Film Production & Cinematography, Business & Management (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Management, Applied Psychology, Creative Writing, Design & Fashion, Human Geography & Environment, Media & Film Studies, Biology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biomedical Sciences, Building & Construction, Performing Arts (General), Teacher Training, Biochemistry, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Health & Social Care, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Human Resource Management, Physical Geography & Climate, Landscape Architecture & Design, Mental Health Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology.
Only at University of Essex
Only at University of Gloucestershire
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 Gloucestershire
- £17,430
University of Gloucestershire is about £4,070 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of Essex
- £23,880
- University of Gloucestershire
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Gloucestershire yet.
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 Gloucestershire
History
£23,500Salary (3 years)£22,50093%Satisfaction96%Sociology & Criminology
£24,000Salary (3 years)£22,50088%Satisfaction74%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£25,000Salary (3 years)£21,00087%Satisfaction94%Law
£24,000Salary (3 years)£24,00084%Satisfaction93%Business Studies
£27,000Salary (3 years)£24,50083%Satisfaction75%Computer Science
£33,500Salary (3 years)£26,50081%Satisfaction77%Drama & Theatre
£16,500Salary (3 years)£18,50095%Satisfaction88%Marketing
£27,000Salary (3 years)£25,00075%Satisfaction100%Psychology (General)
£24,500Salary (3 years)£21,00084%Satisfaction89%Accounting
£26,500Salary (3 years)£24,50078%Satisfaction95%Journalism
No dataSalary (3 years)£22,50078%Satisfaction90%Ecology & Conservation
£24,000Salary (3 years)£20,00093%Satisfaction95%
Showing the 12 largest of 27 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity 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
University of Gloucestershire
Care Leavers Scholarship 2025/26
See details
Deadline: N/A
Basketball Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
Care Leavers Scholarship 2026/27
See details
Deadline: N/A
The Michael Perham Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/27
See details
Deadline: N/A
Women's Football Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
University of Essex vs University of Gloucestershire: common questions
Is University of Essex or University of Gloucestershire cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £17,430 at University of Gloucestershire: University of Gloucestershire is about £4,070 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 Gloucestershire?
Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Law, Business Studies, Computer Science, Drama & Theatre, Marketing, Psychology (General), Accounting, Finance & Actuarial Science and 31 more.
Is University of Essex or University of Gloucestershire better for History?
History graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £22,500 from University of Gloucestershire. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at University of Essex and 96% at University of Gloucestershire. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University of Essex or University of Gloucestershire offer more courses?
University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Gloucestershire lists 284 courses.
What can you study at University of Essex but not at University of Gloucestershire?
University of Essex teaches 31 subject areas that University of Gloucestershire does not, including Economics, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Linguistics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Language, Social Sciences (General), Biotechnology and 23 more.
What can you study at University of Gloucestershire but not at University of Essex?
University of Gloucestershire teaches 17 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Music, Education Studies, Fine Art, Software Engineering, Architecture, Dance, Geography (General) and 9 more.
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