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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 South Wales

Pontypridd · QS World #1201

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

South Wales

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 South Wales is ahead on established, employment.

University of Essex vs University of South Wales at a glance

University of Essex and University of South Wales both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Law. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £5,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £5,980 a year cheaper.

Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 21 and University of South Wales in 4, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £19,500 from University of South Wales. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of South Wales is higher in 17 and University of Essex in 8, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#1201
#301
THE World
#1201
#44
Guardian UK
#83
1964
Established
1913
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

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 South Wales

87.2%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
22%

International

International student share

748
331

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
23

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

South Wales

71 countries · 22% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%

Subjects

40 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 South Wales

Also taught at both: Marketing, Management, Film Production & Cinematography, Childhood & Youth Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Nursing (General), Social Sciences (General), Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Teacher Training, Civil Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Media & Film Studies, Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Health & Social Care, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Policy & Public Policy, English Studies, Human Resource Management, Social Work, Statistics, Human Geography & Environment, Creative Arts (General).

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of South Wales

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 South Wales
£16,200

University of South Wales is about £5,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of South Wales
£17,900

University of South Wales is about £5,980 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 South Wales

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    84%Satisfaction96%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    81%Satisfaction90%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £16,500Salary (3 years)£17,500
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    No dataSatisfaction94%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    77%Satisfaction90%

  • Accounting

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    78%Satisfaction90%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    83%Satisfaction91%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£30,000
    75%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 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 South Wales

USW Postgraduate Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027/2028

100%

Deadline: Jul 2027

USW Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of South Wales: common questions

Is University of Essex or University of South Wales cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £5,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £5,980 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 South Wales?

Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Law, Psychology (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Drama & Theatre, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Business Studies and 28 more.

Is University of Essex or University of South Wales better for History?

History graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £19,500 from University of South Wales. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at University of Essex and 95% at University of South Wales. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Essex or University of South Wales offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of South Wales lists 331 courses.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at University of South Wales?

University of Essex teaches 34 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Economics, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Mathematics, English Literature, Linguistics, Ecology & Conservation, English Language and 26 more.

What can you study at University of South Wales but not at University of Essex?

University of South Wales teaches 23 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Healthcare Science, Aerospace Engineering, Software Engineering, Forensic Science, Music, Community & Specialist Nursing, Education Studies, Mechanical Engineering and 15 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
U
University of South Wales331 courses · 23 scholarshipsBrowse Courses