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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 Staffordshire

Stoke-on-Trent · Guardian UK #92

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

7/9

Essex

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

2/9

Staffordshire

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Staffordshire is ahead on established, employment.

University of Essex vs University of Staffordshire at a glance

University of Essex and University of Staffordshire both teach 36 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and History. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Staffordshire offers 287 courses across 52 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £17,090 at University of Staffordshire: University of Staffordshire is about £4,410 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £17,500 at University of Staffordshire: University of Staffordshire is about £6,380 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 14 and University of Staffordshire in 4, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £33,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £25,000 from University of Staffordshire. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Staffordshire is higher in 10 and University of Essex in 5, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
—
#301
THE World
#1201
#44
Guardian UK
#92
1964
Established
1914
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 Staffordshire

87.2%
83%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£26,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
87.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
4.1%

International

International student share

748
287

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
1

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

Staffordshire

26 countries · 4.1% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan29.8%
  • 🇮🇳India19.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria9.2%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka5.7%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%

Subjects

36 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 Staffordshire

Also taught at both: Management, Applied Psychology, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Biomedical Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biotechnology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Media & Film Studies, Civil Engineering, Health & Social Care, Adult Nursing, Social Policy & Public Policy, Teacher Training, Biochemistry, Clinical & Health Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Creative Arts (General), Human Resource Management, Social Work.

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Staffordshire

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 Staffordshire
£17,090

University of Staffordshire is about £4,410 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Staffordshire
£17,500

University of Staffordshire is about £6,380 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 Staffordshire

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    87%Satisfaction93%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    No dataSatisfaction63%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    81%Satisfaction75%

  • Accounting

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    78%Satisfaction86%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    86%Satisfaction96%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£25,500
    75%Satisfaction93%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction79%

  • Marketing

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    75%Satisfaction75%

  • Applied Psychology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    93%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 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 Staffordshire

Smart Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Staffordshire: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £17,090 at University of Staffordshire: University of Staffordshire is about £4,410 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £17,500 at University of Staffordshire: University of Staffordshire is about £6,380 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 Staffordshire?

Both universities teach 36 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, History, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Accounting, Film Production & Cinematography, Business Studies and 24 more.

Is University of Essex or University of Staffordshire better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £21,000 from University of Staffordshire. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at University of Essex and 84% at University of Staffordshire. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Staffordshire lists 287 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 38 subject areas that University of Staffordshire does not, including Economics, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics, English Literature, Journalism and 30 more.

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

University of Staffordshire teaches 16 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Applied Computing, Forensic Science, Software Engineering, Education Studies, Aerospace Engineering, Fine Art, General Engineering and 8 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 Staffordshire287 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses