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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 West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

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.

6/9

Essex

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

3/9

West of Scotland

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the West of Scotland is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment.

University of Essex vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

University of Essex and University of the West of Scotland both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and Sociology & Criminology. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £6,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £7,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 14 and University of the West of Scotland in 1. The widest gap is in Hospitality, Events & Tourism: £27,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £19,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 10 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
#601
#44
Guardian UK
#115
1964
Established
1897
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 West of Scotland

87.2%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
30.3%

International

International student share

748
119

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

33 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 West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Childhood & Youth Studies, Teacher Training, Biology, Media & Film Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Social Work, Environmental Sciences, Health & Social Care, Adult Nursing, Design & Fashion, Human Geography & Environment, Mental Health Nursing, Creative Arts (General), Cultural Studies, Nursing (General), Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £6,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £7,600 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 the West of Scotland

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%SatisfactionNo data

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%SatisfactionNo data

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%Satisfaction91%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    83%Satisfaction75%

  • Accounting

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    78%Satisfaction86%

  • Journalism

    No dataSalary (3 years)£19,500
    78%Satisfaction87%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£26,500
    75%Satisfaction80%

  • English Language

    £24,000Salary (3 years)No data
    86%Satisfaction83%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    84%Satisfaction99%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

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

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    71%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 18 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 West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is University of Essex or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £6,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £7,600 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Mathematics, Accounting, Psychology (General), Journalism, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), English Language and 21 more.

Is University of Essex or University of the West of Scotland better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Essex or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at University of the West of Scotland?

University of Essex teaches 41 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including History, Economics, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Computer Science, Drama & Theatre, Finance & Actuarial Science, English Literature and 33 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of Essex?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 16 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Chemistry, Computing & IT, General Engineering, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing and 8 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 the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses