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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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Oban

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 7 datapoints

We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/7

Essex

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

2/7

Highlands and Islands (UHI)

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 5 of 7 categories where both have data (established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

University of Essex vs University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) at a glance

University of Essex and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Philosophy. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) offers 244 courses across 70 subject areas.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 18 and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) in 0, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £18,500 from University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is higher in 16 and University of Essex in 5.

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
—
1964
Established
2011
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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

87.2%
90.2%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£25,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
85%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
2.1%

International

International student share

748
244

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
11

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

Highlands and Islands (UHI)

17 countries · 2.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States11.1%
  • 🌐Brunei8.3%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland8.3%
  • 🇨🇦Canada5.6%
  • 🇩🇪Germany5.6%

Subjects

40 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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Also taught at both: Business & Management (General), Cultural Studies, Management, Ecology & Conservation, Social Sciences (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, Creative Writing, Ancient Languages, Health & Social Care, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Human Geography & Environment, Media & Film Studies, Civil Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Physical Geography & Climate, Design & Fashion, English Studies, Adult Nursing, Building & Construction, Mental Health Nursing, Technology & Logistics, Creative Arts (General), Nursing (General).

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) yet.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) 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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    93%Satisfaction98%

  • Philosophy

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£15,500
    87%Satisfaction79%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £16,500Salary (3 years)£16,500
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    81%Satisfaction89%

  • English Literature

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%Satisfaction90%

  • Accounting

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£18,000
    78%Satisfaction91%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£18,000
    83%Satisfaction98%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£18,000
    86%Satisfaction79%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction88%

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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Barns-Graham Travel Scholarship

£1,500

Deadline: Oct 2026

Scottish Land Commission Prize

£1,000

Deadline: N/A

Barns-Graham Assistance Award

£1,000

Deadline: Oct 2026

Dorothy Dunnett Centenary Awards

£1,000

Deadline: Dec 2026

Rural and Islands Bursary Fund

£1,000

Deadline: Oct 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI): common questions

What subjects can you study at both University of Essex and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)?

Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Philosophy, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Drama & Theatre, Computer Science, English Literature, Mathematics, Accounting, Business Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 28 more.

Is University of Essex or University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £19,000 from University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 90% at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Essex or University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) lists 244 courses.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)?

University of Essex teaches 34 subject areas that University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) does not, including Economics, History of Art & Design, Law, Finance & Actuarial Science, Journalism, Linguistics, English Language, Marketing and 26 more.

What can you study at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) but not at University of Essex?

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) teaches 30 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Archaeology, Agriculture & Land Management, Music, Fine Art, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, General Engineering, Scottish Gaelic, Aerospace Engineering and 22 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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)244 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses