Skip to main content

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 Sunderland

Sunderland · Guardian UK #86

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.

5/9

Essex

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

4/9

Sunderland

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sunderland is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment, international.

University of Essex vs University of Sunderland at a glance

University of Essex and University of Sunderland both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Law, Economics and Computer Science. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £4,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £6,880 a year cheaper.

Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 22 and University of Sunderland in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £33,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £20,000 from University of Sunderland. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sunderland is higher in 19 and University of Essex in 7, 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
#1501
#44
Guardian UK
#86
1964
Established
1901
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 Sunderland

87.2%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£24,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
81.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
36.5%

International

International student share

748
193

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

Sunderland

56 countries · 36.5% international

  • 🌐Nepal29.5%
  • 🇮🇳India17.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
  • 🇨🇳China7.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%

Subjects

38 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 Sunderland

Also taught at both: Management, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Applied Psychology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies, Social Sciences (General), Design & Fashion, Biochemistry, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Performing Arts (General), Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Studies, Health & Social Care, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biomedical Sciences, Human Resource Management, Nursing (General), Social Work, Teacher Training, Adult Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Mental Health Nursing.

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Sunderland

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 Sunderland
£17,500

University of Sunderland is about £4,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Sunderland
£17,000

University of Sunderland is about £6,880 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 Sunderland

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    84%Satisfaction95%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    81%Satisfaction78%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    77%Satisfaction85%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    83%Satisfaction91%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Journalism

    No dataSalary (3 years)£18,500
    78%Satisfaction98%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    86%Satisfaction93%

  • Accounting

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    78%Satisfaction92%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£26,500
    75%Satisfaction76%

Showing the 12 largest of 30 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 Sunderland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Sunderland: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £4,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £6,880 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 Sunderland?

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Law, Economics, Computer Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies, Psychology (General), Mathematics, Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Accounting and 26 more.

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

Law graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £19,000 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at University of Essex and 95% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sunderland lists 193 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 36 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, English Literature, Linguistics, Ecology & Conservation and 28 more.

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

University of Sunderland teaches 18 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Chemistry, Fine Art, Geology & Earth Sciences, Software Engineering, Education Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Agriculture & Land Management, Applied & General Science and 10 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
U
University of Sunderland193 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses