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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 Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/11

Essex

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Leeds

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Leeds leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, graduate salary). University of Essex is ahead on satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship.

University of Essex vs University of Leeds at a glance

University of Essex and University of Leeds both teach 60 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Economics. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £33,700 at University of Leeds: University of Essex is about £12,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £31,500 at University of Leeds: University of Essex is about £7,620 a year cheaper.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Leeds is higher in 31 and University of Essex in 3. The widest gap is in Microbiology & Cell Biology: £24,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £35,000 from University of Leeds. Of the 39 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 20 and University of Leeds in 17, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#77
#301
THE World
#118
#44
Guardian UK
#15
1964
Established
1904
No
Russell Group
Yes
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 Leeds

87.2%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
82.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
31.5%

International

International student share

748
579

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
13

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

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%

Subjects

60 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 Leeds

Also taught at both: English Literature, Management, Psychology (General), Linguistics, Journalism, Marketing, Ecology & Conservation, Media & Film Studies, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Ancient Languages, English Language, Social Sciences (General), Biotechnology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Applied Psychology, Biomedical Engineering, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, English Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Biology, Genetics & Genomics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Human Resource Management, Statistics, Biochemistry, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Health & Social Care, Liberal Arts, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Teacher Training, Adult Nursing, Cultural Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Work, Classical Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology, Developmental & Educational Psychology.

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Leeds

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 Leeds
£33,700

University of Essex is about £12,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Leeds
£31,500

University of Essex is about £7,620 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 Leeds

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    86%Satisfaction85%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Philosophy

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£42,000
    81%Satisfaction79%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction82%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Mathematics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    95%Satisfaction83%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £16,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    95%Satisfaction89%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    87%Satisfaction75%

Showing the 12 largest of 40 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 Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Leeds: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £33,700 at University of Leeds: University of Essex is about £12,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £31,500 at University of Leeds: University of Essex is about £7,620 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 Leeds?

Both universities teach 60 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Philosophy, Law, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, History of Art & Design, Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Business Studies, Drama & Theatre and 48 more.

Is University of Essex or University of Leeds 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 Leeds. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 85% at University of Leeds. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Leeds lists 579 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 14 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Accounting, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Welsh Studies, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Performing Arts (General), American & Comparative Studies and 6 more.

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

University of Leeds teaches 50 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Physics, Chemistry, Music, Education Studies, Personal & Professional Development, Asian Languages & Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Medical Imaging and 42 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
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University of Leeds579 courses · 13 scholarshipsBrowse Courses