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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 Strathclyde

Glasgow · QS World #230

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.

4/10

Essex

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

6/10

Strathclyde

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Strathclyde leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary). University of Essex is ahead on ranking, international, courses, scholarship.

University of Essex vs University of Strathclyde at a glance

University of Essex and University of Strathclyde both teach 41 subject areas, the largest being Teacher Training, Politics & International Relations and Law. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Strathclyde offers 541 courses across 67 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £22,750 at University of Strathclyde: University of Essex is about £1,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £30,250 at University of Strathclyde: University of Essex is about £6,370 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Strathclyde is higher in 10 and University of Essex in 8, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £32,000 from University of Strathclyde. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Strathclyde is higher in 18 and University of Essex in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#230
#301
THE World
#351
#44
Guardian UK
#25
1964
Established
1796
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 Strathclyde

87.2%
89.6%

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%
84%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
18.8%

International

International student share

748
541

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

Strathclyde

86 countries · 18.8% international

  • 🇮🇳India31%
  • 🇨🇳China10.5%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.4%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.1%
  • 🌐Oman3.8%

Subjects

41 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 Strathclyde

Also taught at both: Marketing, Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Management, Civil Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Media & Film Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Statistics, Social Policy & Public Policy, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Social Work, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Human Geography & Environment, Mental Health Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology.

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Strathclyde

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 Strathclyde
£22,750

University of Essex is about £1,250 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Strathclyde
£30,250

University of Essex is about £6,370 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 Strathclyde

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction94%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    81%Satisfaction82%

  • Mathematics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    95%Satisfaction87%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    77%Satisfaction84%

  • Accounting

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    78%Satisfaction93%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    83%Satisfaction81%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£34,000
    75%Satisfaction87%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 25 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 Strathclyde

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Strathclyde: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £22,750 at University of Strathclyde: University of Essex is about £1,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £30,250 at University of Strathclyde: University of Essex is about £6,370 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 Strathclyde?

Both universities teach 41 subject areas: Teacher Training, Politics & International Relations, Law, History, Economics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Business Studies, Psychology (General) and 29 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £25,000 from University of Strathclyde. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 91% at University of Strathclyde. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Strathclyde lists 541 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 33 subject areas that University of Strathclyde does not, including Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, English Literature, Journalism, Linguistics, Ecology & Conservation, English Language and 25 more.

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

University of Strathclyde teaches 26 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Education Studies, Chemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, French, Chemical Engineering, General Engineering, Naval Architecture and 18 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 Strathclyde541 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses