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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 Gloucestershire

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

VS

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.

#438
QS World
—
#301
THE World
#1001
#44
Guardian UK
#103
1964
Established
1847
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 Essex

University of Gloucestershire

87.2%
84.4%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
86%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
18.9%

International

International student share

748
284

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
5

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

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

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.

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)£22,500
    93%Satisfaction96%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    88%Satisfaction74%
  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%Satisfaction94%
  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    84%Satisfaction93%
  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    83%Satisfaction75%
  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    81%Satisfaction77%
  • Drama & Theatre

    £16,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    95%Satisfaction88%
  • Marketing

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    75%Satisfaction100%
  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction89%
  • Accounting

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    78%Satisfaction95%
  • Journalism

    No dataSalary (3 years)£22,500
    78%Satisfaction90%
  • Ecology & Conservation

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    93%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 27 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 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

View all scholarships →

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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