Skip to main content

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 Oxford

Oxford · QS World #4

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.

3/12

Essex

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

9/12

Oxford

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Oxford leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary). University of Essex is ahead on employment, courses, scholarship.

University of Essex vs University of Oxford at a glance

University of Essex and University of Oxford both teach 48 subject areas, the largest being History, Politics & International Relations and Economics. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Oxford offers 642 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £43,600 at University of Oxford: University of Essex is about £22,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £38,430 at University of Oxford: University of Essex is about £14,550 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Oxford is higher in 15 and University of Essex in 0. The widest gap is in Law: £24,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £52,500 from University of Oxford. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Oxford is higher in 9 and University of Essex in 4.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#4
#301
THE World
#1
#44
Guardian UK
#1
1964
Established
1096
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 Oxford

87.2%
92.5%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£50,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
37.2%

International

International student share

748
642

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
1

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

Oxford

118 countries · 37.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China18.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States16.8%
  • 🇩🇪Germany5.6%
  • 🇮🇳India5.2%
  • 🇨🇦Canada4.6%

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 Oxford

Also taught at both: Ancient Languages, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Literature, Business Studies, Business & Management (General), English Language, Management, Social Sciences (General), Ecology & Conservation, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Welsh Studies, Biochemistry, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Social Policy & Public Policy, Statistics, Anthropology, Civil Engineering, Genetics & Genomics, Social Work, Health & Social Care, Film Production & Cinematography, Human Geography & Environment, Media & Film Studies, Building & Construction, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Landscape Architecture & Design, Physical Geography & Climate, American & Comparative Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Arts (General), Design & Fashion.

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Oxford

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 Oxford
£43,600

University of Essex is about £22,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Oxford
£38,430

University of Essex is about £14,550 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 Oxford

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    93%Satisfaction96%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£46,000
    84%Satisfaction93%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£52,500
    84%SatisfactionNo data

  • Philosophy

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£38,000
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£51,500
    81%Satisfaction92%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Linguistics

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£43,000
    95%Satisfaction91%

  • English Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    86%Satisfaction97%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    84%Satisfaction94%

  • Ancient Languages

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    89%Satisfaction85%

Showing the 12 largest of 15 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 Oxford

The Rhodes Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Oxford: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £43,600 at University of Oxford: University of Essex is about £22,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £38,430 at University of Oxford: University of Essex is about £14,550 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 Oxford?

Both universities teach 48 subject areas: History, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Law, Philosophy, Childhood & Youth Studies, Classical Studies, Computer Science, History of Art & Design, Sociology & Criminology, Linguistics, Finance & Actuarial Science and 36 more.

Is University of Essex or University of Oxford better for History?

History graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £33,000 from University of Oxford. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at University of Essex and 96% at University of Oxford. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Oxford lists 642 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 26 subject areas that University of Oxford does not, including Drama & Theatre, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting, Journalism, Marketing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Applied Psychology, Biotechnology and 18 more.

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

University of Oxford teaches 31 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Spanish & Portuguese, Eastern European Languages, German & Scandinavian Studies, French, Italian, General Engineering, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Theology & Religious Studies and 23 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 Oxford642 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses