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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 Lincoln

Lincoln · QS World #851

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.

7/11

Essex

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

4/11

Lincoln

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Essex vs University of Lincoln at a glance

University of Essex and University of Lincoln both teach 52 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Mathematics. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Lincoln offers 343 courses across 81 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £18,300 at University of Lincoln: University of Lincoln is about £3,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £18,800 at University of Lincoln: University of Lincoln is about £5,080 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 20 and University of Lincoln in 4, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £30,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £23,000 from University of Lincoln. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Lincoln is higher in 14 and University of Essex in 13, with 2 about level.

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
#38
1964
Established
1861
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 Lincoln

87.2%
84.2%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£29,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
20.5%

International

International student share

748
343

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
21

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

Lincoln

47 countries · 20.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India34.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan24.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria22.2%
  • 🇻🇳Vietnam2.4%
  • 🇨🇳China2.2%

Subjects

52 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 Lincoln

Also taught at both: English Literature, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Marketing, Ecology & Conservation, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Childhood & Youth Studies, Creative Writing, Design & Fashion, Social Sciences (General), Media & Film Studies, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Applied Psychology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Human Geography & Environment, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Classical Studies, Cultural Studies, English Studies, Human Resource Management, Social Policy & Public Policy, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Performing Arts (General), Mental Health Nursing, Nursing (General), Physical Geography & Climate, Social Work, Technology & Logistics, Building & Construction, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Landscape Architecture & Design.

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Lincoln

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 Lincoln
£18,300

University of Lincoln is about £3,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Lincoln
£18,800

University of Lincoln is about £5,080 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 Lincoln

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%Satisfaction92%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    93%Satisfaction83%

  • Mathematics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)No data
    95%Satisfaction88%

  • Philosophy

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    90%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    84%Satisfaction75%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    81%Satisfaction73%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%Satisfaction95%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    88%Satisfaction73%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £16,500Salary (3 years)£17,500
    95%Satisfaction95%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    84%Satisfaction82%

  • Journalism

    No dataSalary (3 years)£22,000
    78%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 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 Lincoln

Chevening Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Canada Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

European Union Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

South Asia Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

South East Asia Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Lincoln: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £18,300 at University of Lincoln: University of Lincoln is about £3,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £18,800 at University of Lincoln: University of Lincoln is about £5,080 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 Lincoln?

Both universities teach 52 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Mathematics, Philosophy, Economics, Computer Science, Law, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Drama & Theatre, Psychology (General), Finance & Actuarial Science and 40 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £21,000 from University of Lincoln. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 92% at University of Lincoln. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Lincoln lists 343 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 22 subject areas that University of Lincoln does not, including History of Art & Design, Linguistics, Management, English Language, Ancient Languages, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Civil Engineering, Welsh Studies and 14 more.

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

University of Lincoln teaches 29 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Chemistry, Physics, Animal Science, Zoology & Animal Biology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Mechanical Engineering, Pharmacology, General Engineering and 21 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 Lincoln343 courses · 21 scholarshipsBrowse Courses