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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 Liverpool

Liverpool · QS World #139

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/12

Essex

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

10/12

Liverpool

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Liverpool leads in 10 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). University of Essex is ahead on international, scholarship.

University of Essex vs University of Liverpool at a glance

University of Essex and University of Liverpool both teach 48 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Sociology & Criminology. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Liverpool offers 793 courses across 94 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: University of Essex is about £10,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £30,000 at University of Liverpool: University of Essex is about £6,120 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 15 and University of Liverpool in 9, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £33,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £27,000 from University of Liverpool. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Liverpool is higher in 16 and University of Essex in 10, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#139
#301
THE World
#143
#44
Guardian UK
#28
1964
Established
1881
No
Russell Group
Yes
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 Liverpool

87.2%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£34,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
79.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
24.1%

International

International student share

748
793

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
2

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

Liverpool

93 countries · 24.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China40.6%
  • 🇮🇳India17.1%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%

Subjects

48 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 Liverpool

Also taught at both: Psychology (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Accounting, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Classical Studies, English Language, Marketing, Ecology & Conservation, Management, Civil Engineering, Biology, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Ancient Languages, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Biomedical Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Biochemistry, Health & Social Care, Human Geography & Environment, Physical Geography & Climate, Environmental Sciences, Human Resource Management, Nursing (General), Clinical & Health Psychology, Design & Fashion.

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Liverpool

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 Liverpool
£32,000

University of Essex is about £10,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Liverpool
£30,000

University of Essex is about £6,120 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 Liverpool

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • History

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

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Philosophy

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Mathematics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    95%Satisfaction82%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    81%Satisfaction77%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    77%Satisfaction86%

  • Media & Film Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£22,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £16,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    95%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 31 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 Liverpool

Liverpool Advancement Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Opportunity Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Liverpool: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: University of Essex is about £10,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £30,000 at University of Liverpool: University of Essex is about £6,120 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 Liverpool?

Both universities teach 48 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Philosophy, Economics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Media & Film Studies, Drama & Theatre and 36 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £23,500 from University of Liverpool. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 87% at University of Liverpool. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Liverpool lists 793 courses on CourseOptions and University of Essex lists 748 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 26 subject areas that University of Liverpool does not, including History of Art & Design, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Journalism, Linguistics, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Biotechnology, Creative Writing and 18 more.

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

University of Liverpool teaches 46 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Music, Archaeology, Asian Languages & Studies, French, Italian, German & Scandinavian Studies, Physics, Spanish & Portuguese and 38 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 Liverpool793 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses