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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.

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University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

U
University of Sheffield

Sheffield · QS World #82

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.

3/11

Essex

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

Sheffield

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Essex vs University of Sheffield at a glance

University of Essex and University of Sheffield both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Economics. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Essex is about £4,330 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Essex is about £7,480 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 11 and University of Sheffield in 11, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £33,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £38,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 21 and University of Essex in 3, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#82
#301
THE World
#108
#44
Guardian UK
#19
1964
Established
1905
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 Sheffield

87.2%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
28.1%

International

International student share

748
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
2

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

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China45.6%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia7.3%
  • 🇮🇳India7%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.5%

Subjects

47 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 Sheffield

Also taught at both: English Literature, Linguistics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, Civil Engineering, English Language, Management, Marketing, Social Sciences (General), Biology, English Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Applied Psychology, Biomedical Sciences, Ancient Languages, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Landscape Architecture & Design, Environmental Sciences, Social Policy & Public Policy, Adult Nursing, Building & Construction, Human Geography & Environment, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Statistics, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Human Resource Management, Physical Geography & Climate, Classical Studies, Cultural Studies, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Sheffield

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 Sheffield
£25,830

University of Essex is about £4,330 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Sheffield
£31,360

University of Essex is about £7,480 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 Sheffield

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Philosophy

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    81%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    84%Satisfaction94%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    95%Satisfaction90%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    77%Satisfaction86%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£33,500
    75%Satisfaction87%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    No dataSatisfaction80%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 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 Sheffield

International Postgraduate Scholarship 2026

£3,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Access to Sheffield Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Essex is about £4,330 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Essex is about £7,480 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 Sheffield?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Philosophy, Computer Science, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Mathematics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General) and 35 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £27,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 94% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 27 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Biotechnology, Creative Writing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation and 19 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 30 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Physics, General Engineering, Music, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Aerospace Engineering, Architecture, Information Systems & Data Science and 22 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 Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses