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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 Stirling

Stirling · QS World #560

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.

9/10

Essex

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

1/10

Stirling

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

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

University of Essex vs University of Stirling at a glance

University of Essex and University of Stirling both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Sociology & Criminology. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Stirling offers 254 courses across 60 subject areas.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 21 and University of Stirling in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £33,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £25,000 from University of Stirling. Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Stirling is higher in 13 and University of Essex in 10, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#560
#301
THE World
#501
#44
Guardian UK
#50
1964
Established
1967
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 Stirling

87.2%
85%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£31,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
80.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
18.4%

International

International student share

748
254

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
0

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

Stirling

75 countries · 18.4% international

  • 🇮🇳India17.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15%
  • 🇺🇸United States13.6%
  • 🇨🇳China7.6%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.8%

Subjects

43 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 Stirling

Also taught at both: Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Linguistics, Media & Film Studies, Business & Management (General), Ecology & Conservation, Management, English Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Social Sciences (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Applied Psychology, Biology, Creative Writing, Environmental Sciences, Teacher Training, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Human Resource Management, Liberal Arts, Social Policy & Public Policy, Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Work, Health & Social Care, Human Geography & Environment, Cultural Studies.

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Stirling

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 Stirling
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Stirling yet.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Stirling
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Stirling yet.

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 Stirling

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    86%Satisfaction93%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • Sociology & Criminology

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

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    84%Satisfaction92%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Philosophy

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    90%Satisfaction80%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    83%Satisfaction80%

  • Accounting

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    78%Satisfaction85%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    81%Satisfaction68%

  • Mathematics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    95%Satisfaction73%

Showing the 12 largest of 26 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 Stirling

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Stirling: common questions

What subjects can you study at both University of Essex and University of Stirling?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Sociology & Criminology, Economics, Law, Philosophy, Psychology (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Accounting, Computer Science, Mathematics and 31 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £22,500 from University of Stirling. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 93% at University of Stirling. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Stirling lists 254 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 31 subject areas that University of Stirling does not, including History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, English Literature, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Language, Biotechnology, Ancient Languages, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and 23 more.

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

University of Stirling teaches 17 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including French, Education Studies, Humanities, Planning & Housing, Publishing, Spanish & Portuguese, Veterinary Medicine, Agriculture & Land Management and 9 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 Stirling254 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses