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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 Greater Manchester

Bolton

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 7 datapoints

We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/7

Essex

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

2/7

Greater Manchester

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 5 of 7 categories where both have data (established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Greater Manchester is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

University of Essex vs University of Greater Manchester at a glance

University of Essex and University of Greater Manchester both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General) and Law. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Greater Manchester offers 281 courses across 56 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £17,500 at University of Greater Manchester: University of Greater Manchester is about £4,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £17,500 at University of Greater Manchester: University of Greater Manchester is about £6,380 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 18 and University of Greater Manchester in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £21,000 from University of Greater Manchester. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Greater Manchester is higher in 12 and University of Essex in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
—
#301
THE World
—
#44
Guardian UK
—
1964
Established
2024
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 Greater Manchester

87.2%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£28,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
82.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
25.4%

International

International student share

748
281

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

Greater Manchester

30 countries · 25.4% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria46.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan17.7%
  • 🇮🇳India10.8%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates7%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh6.6%

Subjects

38 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 Greater Manchester

Also taught at both: Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Film Production & Cinematography, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, Creative Writing, Biotechnology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Civil Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Media & Film Studies, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Work, Teacher Training, Adult Nursing, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Building & Construction, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Design & Fashion, Human Geography & Environment, Technology & Logistics, Creative Arts (General).

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Greater Manchester

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 Greater Manchester
£17,500

University of Greater Manchester is about £4,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Greater Manchester
£17,500

University of Greater Manchester is about £6,380 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 Greater Manchester

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£18,000
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    84%Satisfaction79%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£17,500
    88%Satisfaction78%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£17,500
    87%Satisfaction100%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    81%Satisfaction93%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    No dataSatisfaction98%

  • Accounting

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    78%Satisfaction80%

  • Health & Social Care

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£17,500
    No dataSatisfaction98%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£23,000
    75%Satisfaction83%

  • Nursing (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction78%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    84%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 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 Greater Manchester

Bolton Sports Bursary 2020/21

See details

Deadline: N/A

Care Experienced Bursary 21-22

See details

Deadline: N/A

Care Leavers Bursary 2020/2021

See details

Deadline: N/A

The Bolton Master's Bursary 2021

See details

Deadline: N/A

The University of Greater Manchester Group Progression Scholarship 2021-22

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Greater Manchester: common questions

Is University of Essex or University of Greater Manchester cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £17,500 at University of Greater Manchester: University of Greater Manchester is about £4,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £17,500 at University of Greater Manchester: University of Greater Manchester is about £6,380 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 Greater Manchester?

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Law, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General), Accounting, Management, Health & Social Care, Journalism and 26 more.

Is University of Essex or University of Greater Manchester better for Psychology (General)?

Psychology (General) graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £18,000 from University of Greater Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at University of Essex and 86% at University of Greater Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Essex or University of Greater Manchester offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Greater Manchester lists 281 courses.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at University of Greater Manchester?

University of Essex teaches 36 subject areas that University of Greater Manchester does not, including History, Economics, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, Mathematics, Business Studies, English Literature and 28 more.

What can you study at University of Greater Manchester but not at University of Essex?

University of Greater Manchester teaches 18 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Education Studies, Dentistry, Dance, Computing & IT, Games Design & Computer Animation, Software Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing, Music and 10 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Greater Manchester281 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses