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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 St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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.

1/10

Essex

scored higher in 1 category

VS

9/10

St Andrews

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of St Andrews leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Essex is ahead on employment.

University of Essex vs University of St Andrews at a glance

University of Essex and University of St Andrews both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being History, Politics & International Relations and Economics. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of Essex is about £8,660 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of Essex is about £3,320 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 18 and University of Essex in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £51,500 from University of St Andrews. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 12 and University of Essex in 3.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#115
#301
THE World
#162
#44
Guardian UK
#3
1964
Established
1413
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 St Andrews

87.2%
93.2%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£40,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
74.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
46.1%

International

International student share

748
1157

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
62

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

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
  • 🇨🇳China9%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4%
  • 🇮🇳India4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%

Subjects

37 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 St Andrews

Also taught at both: Biology, Management, English Literature, Business Studies, Teacher Training, Ecology & Conservation, Business & Management (General), Marketing, Creative Writing, Anthropology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Statistics, Physical Geography & Climate, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Human Geography & Environment, Liberal Arts, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Environmental Sciences, Microbiology & Cell Biology.

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of St Andrews

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 St Andrews
£30,160

University of Essex is about £8,660 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of St Andrews
£27,200

University of Essex is about £3,320 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 St Andrews

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    93%Satisfaction97%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    86%Satisfaction95%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    84%Satisfaction93%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Ancient Languages

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    89%Satisfaction100%

  • Mathematics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£36,500
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Philosophy

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£51,500
    81%Satisfaction93%

  • English Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    86%Satisfaction92%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    88%SatisfactionNo data

  • Media & Film Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    84%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 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 St Andrews

Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Masters funding in Digital Health and Care

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship

100%

Deadline: May 2026

University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of St Andrews: common questions

Is University of Essex or University of St Andrews cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of Essex is about £8,660 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of Essex is about £3,320 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 St Andrews?

Both universities teach 37 subject areas: History, Politics & International Relations, Economics, History of Art & Design, Ancient Languages, Classical Studies, Mathematics, Philosophy, Computer Science, English Studies, Psychology (General), Law and 25 more.

Is University of Essex or University of St Andrews better for History?

History graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £28,500 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at University of Essex and 97% at University of St Andrews. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Essex or University of St Andrews offer more courses?

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and University of Essex lists 748 courses.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at University of St Andrews?

University of Essex teaches 37 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Drama & Theatre, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting, Journalism, Linguistics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Language, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 29 more.

What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at University of Essex?

University of St Andrews teaches 27 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Italian, Theology & Religious Studies, Eastern European Languages, Geography (General), Chemistry and 19 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of St Andrews1,157 courses · 62 scholarshipsBrowse Courses