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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.

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University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

U
University of Leicester

Leicester · QS World #314

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.

5/11

Essex

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

6/11

Leicester

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Leicester leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, graduate salary). University of Essex is ahead on satisfaction, employment, international, courses, scholarship.

University of Essex vs University of Leicester at a glance

University of Essex and University of Leicester both teach 46 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Law. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Leicester offers 351 courses across 72 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £25,100 at University of Leicester: University of Essex is about £3,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Leicester is higher in 10 and University of Essex in 7, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Health Sciences & Paramedic Science: £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £36,000 from University of Leicester. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Leicester is higher in 14 and University of Essex in 7, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#314
#301
THE World
#192
#44
Guardian UK
#30
1964
Established
1921
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Gold

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 Leicester

87.2%
86.2%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
79%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
19.3%

International

International student share

748
351

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
28

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

Leicester

81 countries · 19.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India36.3%
  • 🇨🇦Canada14.8%
  • 🇨🇳China9.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.9%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates1.9%

Subjects

46 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 Leicester

Also taught at both: Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Linguistics, Management, Marketing, Ancient Languages, Media & Film Studies, Applied Psychology, Social Sciences (General), Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Creative Writing, English Studies, Genetics & Genomics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Civil Engineering, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biomedical Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Health & Social Care, Human Geography & Environment, Adult Nursing, Biochemistry, Classical Studies, Environmental Sciences, Human Resource Management, Statistics, Physical Geography & Climate, Cultural Studies.

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Leicester

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 Leicester
£25,100

University of Essex is about £3,600 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Leicester
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Leicester yet.

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 Leicester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction92%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    84%Satisfaction85%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    84%Satisfaction81%

  • Sociology & Criminology

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

  • Mathematics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    95%Satisfaction79%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    77%Satisfaction88%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    No dataSatisfaction82%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    84%Satisfaction82%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£30,000
    75%Satisfaction83%

  • Journalism

    No dataSalary (3 years)£25,000
    78%Satisfaction65%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 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 Leicester

International Undergraduate Tuition Fee Waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

ULSB International Deans Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Leicester-King Power Thai Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Leicester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £25,100 at University of Leicester: University of Essex is about £3,600 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 Leicester?

Both universities teach 46 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Law, Computer Science, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, History of Art & Design, Mathematics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 34 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £26,500 from University of Leicester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 92% at University of Leicester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Leicester lists 351 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 28 subject areas that University of Leicester does not, including Philosophy, Drama & Theatre, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Biology, Welsh Studies and 20 more.

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

University of Leicester teaches 26 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Biological Sciences (General), Physics, Chemistry, General Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Archaeology and 18 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 Leicester351 courses · 28 scholarshipsBrowse Courses