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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 Hertfordshire

Hatfield · QS World #851

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/10

Essex

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Hertfordshire

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, courses, scholarship). University of Hertfordshire is ahead on established, employment, international, graduate salary.

University of Essex vs University of Hertfordshire at a glance

University of Essex and University of Hertfordshire both teach 54 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Computer Science and Childhood & Youth Studies. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Hertfordshire offers 468 courses across 86 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £15,500 at University of Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire is about £6,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £18,000 at University of Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire is about £5,880 a year cheaper.

Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Hertfordshire is higher in 17 and University of Essex in 11, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Biomedical Sciences: £28,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £34,500 from University of Hertfordshire. Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Hertfordshire is higher in 19 and University of Essex in 13.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#851
#301
THE World
#601
#44
Guardian UK
#69
1964
Established
1952
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 Hertfordshire

87.2%
86.4%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£32,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
83.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
57.5%

International

International student share

748
468

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
0

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

Hertfordshire

77 countries · 57.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India44.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.3%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.5%
  • 🇨🇳China1.8%

Subjects

54 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 Hertfordshire

Also taught at both: Marketing, Accounting, English Literature, Design & Fashion, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biotechnology, Journalism, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Language, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Ecology & Conservation, Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies, Social Sciences (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Environmental Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Creative Writing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Human Resource Management, Civil Engineering, Health & Social Care, Biology, Building & Construction, Mental Health Nursing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Social Work, Technology & Logistics, Welsh Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Human Geography & Environment, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biomedical Engineering, Nursing (General), Performing Arts (General), Statistics, Adult Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Teacher Training.

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Hertfordshire

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 Hertfordshire
£15,500

University of Hertfordshire is about £6,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Hertfordshire
£18,000

University of Hertfordshire is about £5,880 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 Hertfordshire

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    86%Satisfaction95%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    81%Satisfaction78%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    93%Satisfaction97%

  • Philosophy

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction81%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    84%Satisfaction96%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    No dataSatisfaction85%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    83%Satisfaction91%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction82%

  • Mathematics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    95%Satisfaction85%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    88%Satisfaction71%

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 Hertfordshire

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Hertfordshire: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £15,500 at University of Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire is about £6,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £18,000 at University of Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire is about £5,880 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 Hertfordshire?

Both universities teach 54 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, Law, History, Philosophy, Economics, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Mathematics, Psychology (General) and 42 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £28,500 from University of Hertfordshire. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 95% at University of Hertfordshire. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Hertfordshire lists 468 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 20 subject areas that University of Hertfordshire does not, including History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, Linguistics, Management, Applied Psychology, Ancient Languages, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Genetics & Genomics and 12 more.

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

University of Hertfordshire teaches 32 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Music, Mechanical Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Games Design & Computer Animation, General Engineering, Geography (General) and 24 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
U
University of Hertfordshire468 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses