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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 Suffolk

Ipswich · Guardian UK #98

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

7/8

Essex

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

1/8

Suffolk

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 7 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Suffolk is ahead on satisfaction.

University of Essex vs University of Suffolk at a glance

University of Essex and University of Suffolk both teach 34 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Sociology & Criminology. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Suffolk offers 115 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £15,690 at University of Suffolk: University of Suffolk is about £5,810 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £15,210 at University of Suffolk: University of Suffolk is about £8,670 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 18 and University of Suffolk in 2. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £20,000 from University of Suffolk. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Suffolk is higher in 15 and University of Essex in 3, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
—
#301
THE World
—
#44
Guardian UK
#98
1964
Established
2007
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 Suffolk

87.2%
88.4%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£27,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
78.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
3.8%

International

International student share

748
115

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

Suffolk

15 countries · 3.8% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan42.7%
  • 🇮🇳India19.4%
  • 🇷🇴Romania19.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.8%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh1%

Subjects

34 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 Suffolk

Also taught at both: Applied Psychology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Creative Writing, Health & Social Care, Ancient Languages, Biology, Film Production & Cinematography, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biomedical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Adult Nursing, Human Resource Management, Social Work, Creative Arts (General), Design & Fashion, Mental Health Nursing, Teacher Training.

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Suffolk

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 Suffolk
£15,690

University of Suffolk is about £5,810 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Suffolk
£15,210

University of Suffolk is about £8,670 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 Suffolk

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    93%Satisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)No data
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    87%Satisfaction91%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    81%Satisfaction93%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    84%Satisfaction91%

  • Accounting

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    78%Satisfaction98%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    93%Satisfaction96%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    No dataSatisfaction98%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    71%Satisfaction93%

  • Creative Writing

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    75%Satisfaction100%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 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 Suffolk

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Suffolk: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £15,690 at University of Suffolk: University of Suffolk is about £5,810 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £15,210 at University of Suffolk: University of Suffolk is about £8,670 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 Suffolk?

Both universities teach 34 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Accounting, Business Studies, Management, Ecology & Conservation and 22 more.

Is University of Essex or University of Suffolk better for History?

History graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £18,500 from University of Suffolk. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at University of Essex and 85% at University of Suffolk. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Suffolk lists 115 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 40 subject areas that University of Suffolk does not, including Economics, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, Mathematics, English Literature, Journalism, Linguistics and 32 more.

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

University of Suffolk teaches 15 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Medical Imaging, Education Studies, Community & Specialist Nursing, General Engineering, Forensic Science, Games Design & Computer Animation, Nutrition & Dietetics, Architecture and 7 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 Suffolk115 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses