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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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.

8/11

Essex

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Plymouth

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Plymouth is ahead on TEF, established, employment.

University of Essex vs University of Plymouth at a glance

University of Essex and University of Plymouth both teach 50 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Economics. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £2,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £4,380 a year cheaper.

Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 24 and University of Plymouth in 7. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £33,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £24,000 from University of Plymouth. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Plymouth is higher in 16 and University of Essex in 7, with 6 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#691
#301
THE World
#501
#44
Guardian UK
#56
1964
Established
1862
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 Plymouth

87.2%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
11.9%

International

International student share

748
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

50 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 Plymouth

Also taught at both: Management, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marketing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Civil Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Creative Writing, Design & Fashion, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Sciences (General), Counselling & Psychotherapy, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Physical Geography & Climate, Environmental Sciences, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biology, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Human Geography & Environment, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Building & Construction, Media & Film Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Biomedical Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Human Resource Management, Social Work, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), Nursing (General), Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200

University of Plymouth is about £2,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Plymouth
£19,500

University of Plymouth is about £4,380 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 Plymouth

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    84%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    81%Satisfaction72%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    95%Satisfaction86%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £16,500Salary (3 years)£18,000
    95%SatisfactionNo data

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    77%Satisfaction90%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%Satisfaction74%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    No dataSatisfaction83%

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 Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Plymouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £2,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £4,380 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 Plymouth?

Both universities teach 50 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Psychology (General), Mathematics, Drama & Theatre, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies, Business & Management (General) and 38 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £24,000 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 86% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 24 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Sport & Exercise Sciences, English Literature, Journalism, Linguistics, English Language, Biotechnology and 16 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 28 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Nutrition & Dietetics, Dentistry, Marine Engineering & Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Children's Nursing, Midwifery and 20 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 Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses