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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 Kent

Canterbury · QS World #415

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.

7/10

Essex

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

Kent

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). University of Kent is ahead on ranking, employment, graduate salary.

University of Essex vs University of Kent at a glance

University of Essex and University of Kent both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Economics and History. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Kent offers 335 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £23,500 at University of Kent: University of Essex is about £2,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £20,700 at University of Kent: University of Kent is about £3,180 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Kent is higher in 16 and University of Essex in 4, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £33,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £41,500 from University of Kent. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 14 and University of Kent in 12, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#415
#301
THE World
#401
#44
Guardian UK
#47
1964
Established
1965
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 Kent

87.2%
84%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£33,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
16%

International

International student share

748
335

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

Kent

85 countries · 16% international

  • 🇮🇳India9.9%
  • 🇨🇳China6.8%
  • 🇹🇭Thailand6.6%
  • 🇫🇷France5.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.3%

Subjects

47 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 Kent

Also taught at both: Management, Ecology & Conservation, Marketing, Applied Psychology, Biology, Business & Management (General), Linguistics, Social Sciences (General), Creative Writing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Ancient Languages, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Film Production & Cinematography, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Media & Film Studies, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biomedical Engineering, Genetics & Genomics, English Studies, Statistics, Environmental Sciences, Social Work, Clinical & Health Psychology, Design & Fashion, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, American & Comparative Studies, Classical Studies, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Kent

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 Kent
£23,500

University of Essex is about £2,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Kent
£20,700

University of Kent is about £3,180 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 Kent

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    84%Satisfaction85%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£37,000
    81%Satisfaction79%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    77%Satisfaction81%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    95%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    84%Satisfaction77%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £16,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    95%Satisfaction91%

  • Accounting

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    78%Satisfaction82%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 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 Kent

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Kent: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £23,500 at University of Kent: University of Essex is about £2,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £20,700 at University of Kent: University of Kent is about £3,180 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 Kent?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Economics, History, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Mathematics, Psychology (General), Drama & Theatre, Accounting and 35 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £25,500 from University of Kent. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 87% at University of Kent. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Kent lists 335 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 27 subject areas that University of Kent does not, including Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Journalism, English Language, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Childhood & Youth Studies, Civil Engineering, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation and 19 more.

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

University of Kent teaches 16 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Physics, Architecture, Chemistry, Forensic Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Pharmacy, Software Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and 8 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 Kent335 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses