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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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.

2/11

Essex

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

Southampton

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Essex is ahead on satisfaction, courses.

University of Essex vs University of Southampton at a glance

University of Essex and University of Southampton both teach 56 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Electronic & Electrical Engineering. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Essex is about £4,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Essex is about £7,320 a year cheaper.

Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 29 and University of Essex in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £33,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £47,000 from University of Southampton. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Southampton is higher in 18 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
#111
#301
THE World
#129
#44
Guardian UK
#16
1964
Established
1862
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 Southampton

87.2%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
35.1%

International

International student share

748
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

56 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Psychology (General), Marketing, Civil Engineering, Management, Media & Film Studies, Ancient Languages, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Environmental Sciences, Design & Fashion, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Sciences (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Social Policy & Public Policy, Applied Psychology, Creative Writing, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Statistics, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Health & Social Care, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Adult Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology, English Studies, Liberal Arts, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Building & Construction, Human Geography & Environment, Nursing (General), Physical Geography & Climate, Teacher Training, Anthropology, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Creative Arts (General), Cultural Studies, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

University of Essex is about £4,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Southampton
£31,200

University of Essex is about £7,320 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 Southampton

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    86%Satisfaction85%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£40,500
    75%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    84%Satisfaction85%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    77%Satisfaction84%

  • Philosophy

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    90%Satisfaction93%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£47,000
    81%Satisfaction80%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    No dataSatisfaction80%

  • Mathematics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    95%Satisfaction81%

  • English Literature

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    83%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 35 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 Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Essex is about £4,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Essex is about £7,320 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 56 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Philosophy, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Law, Business & Management (General), Mathematics, English Literature and 44 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £29,000 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 85% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Southampton lists 545 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 18 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, Journalism, Linguistics, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Biotechnology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Welsh Studies and 10 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 35 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Physics, Archaeology, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and 27 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses