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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 Salford

Salford · QS World #1001

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

8/10

Essex

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Salford

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Salford is ahead on established, employment.

University of Essex vs University of Salford at a glance

University of Essex and University of Salford both teach 48 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Business & Management (General). University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Salford offers 305 courses across 72 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £17,040 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £4,460 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £17,710 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £6,170 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 22 and University of Salford in 5, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £33,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £21,000 from University of Salford. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 13 and University of Salford in 13, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#1001
#301
THE World
#801
#44
Guardian UK
#82
1964
Established
1896
No
Russell Group
No
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 Salford

87.2%
85.2%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£28,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
82.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
19.1%

International

International student share

748
305

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

Salford

63 countries · 19.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India34.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria27.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan12.9%
  • 🌐Kuwait3.7%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.6%

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 Salford

Also taught at both: English Literature, Marketing, Film Production & Cinematography, Design & Fashion, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, Building & Construction, Ecology & Conservation, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Sciences (General), Counselling & Psychotherapy, Applied Psychology, Biomedical Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Civil Engineering, Creative Writing, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Biology, Human Geography & Environment, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Nursing (General), Welsh Studies, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Social Work, Biomedical Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Adult Nursing, Human Resource Management, Physical Geography & Climate, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Salford

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 Salford
£17,040

University of Salford is about £4,460 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Salford
£17,710

University of Salford is about £6,170 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 Salford

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    No dataSatisfaction74%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    88%Satisfaction80%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £16,500Salary (3 years)£16,000
    95%Satisfaction95%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    81%Satisfaction76%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    84%Satisfaction81%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    87%Satisfaction96%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    83%Satisfaction99%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    77%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    84%Satisfaction79%

  • Mathematics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    95%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 32 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 Salford

Salford/International Nursing College Scholarships

£8,160

Deadline: N/A

Salford/EATL Data Science Scholarships

£7,100

Deadline: N/A

Global Gold Excellence Scholarship

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

Global Silver Excellence Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

IFY Excellence Scholarship

£2,500

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Salford: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £17,040 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £4,460 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £17,710 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £6,170 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 Salford?

Both universities teach 48 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Business & Management (General), Philosophy, Sociology & Criminology, Drama & Theatre, Computer Science, Law, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General) and 36 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £20,000 from University of Salford. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 87% at University of Salford. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Salford lists 305 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 26 subject areas that University of Salford does not, including Economics, History of Art & Design, Linguistics, English Language, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Childhood & Youth Studies, Ancient Languages, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology and 18 more.

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

University of Salford teaches 24 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Zoology & Animal Biology, Architecture, Midwifery, Music, Business Information Systems, Chemistry and 16 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 Salford305 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses