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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 Lancashire

Preston · QS World #1001

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.

8/10

Essex

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Lancashire

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Lancashire is ahead on established, employment.

University of Essex vs University of Lancashire at a glance

University of Essex and University of Lancashire both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being Law, History and Sport & Exercise Sciences. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Lancashire offers 363 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £17,330 at University of Lancashire: University of Lancashire is about £4,170 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £19,250 at University of Lancashire: University of Lancashire is about £4,630 a year cheaper.

Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 24 and University of Lancashire in 8. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £24,500 from University of Lancashire. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Lancashire is higher in 20 and University of Essex in 9, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#1001
#301
THE World
#1001
#44
Guardian UK
#76
1964
Established
1828
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 Lancashire

87.2%
86.8%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£28,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
83.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
20.5%

International

International student share

748
363

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
15

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

Lancashire

74 countries · 20.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India34.3%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates9.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8%
  • 🌐Nepal6.6%
  • 🇨🇦Canada4.4%

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 Lancashire

Also taught at both: Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Social Sciences (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, English Language, Marketing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Creative Writing, Social Work, Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography, Adult Nursing, Biomedical Sciences, Ancient Languages, Building & Construction, Childhood & Youth Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Mental Health Nursing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biology, Civil Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Health & Social Care, English Studies, Human Resource Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Nursing (General), Teacher Training, Technology & Logistics, Anthropology.

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Lancashire

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 Lancashire
£17,330

University of Lancashire is about £4,170 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Lancashire
£19,250

University of Lancashire is about £4,630 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 Lancashire

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    93%Satisfaction100%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    87%Satisfaction96%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    81%Satisfaction71%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £16,500Salary (3 years)£17,500
    95%Satisfaction99%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Accounting

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    78%Satisfaction90%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    No dataSatisfaction88%

  • Journalism

    No dataSalary (3 years)£21,500
    78%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 36 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 Lancashire

Fee Waiver Scholarship for Sanctuary Seekers

100%

Deadline: N/A

Care-experienced and Estranged Student Graduation Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

Degree Apprentice Care Leaver Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

Estranged Student Support

See details

Deadline: N/A

Journalism Innovation and Leadership PGCert Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Lancashire: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £17,330 at University of Lancashire: University of Lancashire is about £4,170 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £19,250 at University of Lancashire: University of Lancashire is about £4,630 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 Lancashire?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Law, History, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Drama & Theatre, Business Studies, Mathematics, Accounting, Business & Management (General), Journalism and 35 more.

Is University of Essex or University of Lancashire better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £21,000 from University of Lancashire. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at University of Essex and 87% at University of Lancashire. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Lancashire lists 363 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 27 subject areas that University of Lancashire does not, including Politics & International Relations, Economics, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Finance & Actuarial Science, Linguistics, Ecology & Conservation, Applied Psychology and 19 more.

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

University of Lancashire teaches 35 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Medicine, Music, Aerospace Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Asian Languages & Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Safety & Mining Engineering, Dentistry and 27 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 Lancashire363 courses · 15 scholarshipsBrowse Courses