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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 Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

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.

2/11

Essex

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

Manchester

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Essex is ahead on satisfaction, scholarship.

University of Essex vs University of Manchester at a glance

University of Essex and University of Manchester both teach 63 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Economics and History. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Essex is about £10,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Essex is about £2,920 a year cheaper.

Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 17 and University of Essex in 10, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Manchester is higher in 15 and University of Essex in 12, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#40
#301
THE World
#56
#44
Guardian UK
#29
1964
Established
1824
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 Manchester

87.2%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
40%

International

International student share

748
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
6

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

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

  • 🇨🇳China51%
  • 🇮🇳India7.6%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia4.9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

63 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 Manchester

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

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Manchester

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 Manchester
£32,300

University of Essex is about £10,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Manchester
£26,800

University of Essex is about £2,920 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 Manchester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    84%Satisfaction85%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

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

  • Law

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

  • Philosophy

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    90%Satisfaction95%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Management

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    82%Satisfaction84%

  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    No dataSatisfaction81%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    77%Satisfaction81%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£44,000
    81%Satisfaction82%

Showing the 12 largest of 34 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 Manchester

Spärck AI Scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

The Sadler Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

The Bason Family Bursary

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

The Cowrie Foundation Scholarships

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Accommodation Bursary

£2,050

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Essex is about £10,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Essex is about £2,920 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 Manchester?

Both universities teach 63 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Economics, History, Sociology & Criminology, Mathematics, Law, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Computer Science and 51 more.

Is University of Essex or University of Manchester 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 Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Essex lists 748 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 11 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Social Sciences (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Welsh Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Building & Construction and 3 more.

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

University of Manchester teaches 53 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Physics, Chemical Engineering, Dentistry, Chemistry, Materials Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Medicine, Anatomy & Pathology and 45 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 Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses