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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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth · QS World #662

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

Portsmouth

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Essex vs University of Portsmouth at a glance

University of Essex and University of Portsmouth both teach 55 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Sociology & Criminology. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Portsmouth offers 446 courses across 84 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £3,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £5,280 a year cheaper.

Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 20 and University of Portsmouth in 10, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £25,500 from University of Portsmouth. Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Portsmouth is higher in 24 and University of Essex in 13.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#662
#301
THE World
#401
#44
Guardian UK
#55
1964
Established
1869
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 Portsmouth

87.2%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£32,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
84.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
24.5%

International

International student share

748
446

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
5

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

Portsmouth

96 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India22.1%
  • 🇨🇳China11.6%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.8%
  • 🌐Kuwait7.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.6%

Subjects

55 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 Portsmouth

Also taught at both: Business & Management (General), English Literature, Journalism, Marketing, Linguistics, English Language, Building & Construction, Childhood & Youth Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Design & Fashion, Ecology & Conservation, Creative Writing, Social Policy & Public Policy, Social Sciences (General), Ancient Languages, Film Production & Cinematography, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Applied Psychology, Civil Engineering, Human Resource Management, Media & Film Studies, Teacher Training, Biotechnology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Biomedical Engineering, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Environmental Sciences, Mental Health Nursing, Biochemistry, Human Geography & Environment, Nursing (General), Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Arts (General), Physical Geography & Climate.

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Portsmouth

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 Portsmouth
£17,900

University of Portsmouth is about £3,600 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Portsmouth
£18,600

University of Portsmouth is about £5,280 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 Portsmouth

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    93%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    81%Satisfaction82%

  • Economics

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

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    83%Satisfaction85%

  • Accounting

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    78%Satisfaction93%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£33,500
    75%Satisfaction84%

  • Management

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    82%Satisfaction87%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    77%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 39 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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Estée Lauder Companies - Whitman Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Language Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Portsmouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £3,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £5,280 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 Portsmouth?

Both universities teach 55 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Economics, Law, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Accounting, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, Finance & Actuarial Science and 43 more.

Is University of Essex or University of Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 87% at University of Portsmouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Portsmouth lists 446 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 19 subject areas that University of Portsmouth does not, including Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Welsh Studies, Genetics & Genomics, Liberal Arts, Applied Biology & Human Biology, English Studies and 11 more.

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

University of Portsmouth teaches 29 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Education Studies, General Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Applied Computing, Dentistry, International Development 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 Portsmouth446 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses