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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 West London

London · Guardian UK #108

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.

7/9

Essex

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

2/9

West London

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of West London is ahead on established, satisfaction.

University of Essex vs University of West London at a glance

University of Essex and University of West London both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Economics and Law. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of West London offers 338 courses across 68 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £16,750 at University of West London: University of West London is about £4,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £17,250 at University of West London: University of West London is about £6,630 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 11 and University of West London in 10, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £33,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £26,500 from University of West London. Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of West London is higher in 15 and University of Essex in 7, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
—
#301
THE World
#1201
#44
Guardian UK
#108
1964
Established
1860
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 West London

87.2%
88.2%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£29,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
78.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
27.1%

International

International student share

748
338

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 London

64 countries · 27.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India47.8%
  • 🌐Nepal33.1%
  • 🇨🇳China2%
  • 🇺🇸United States1.8%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan1.6%

Subjects

45 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 West London

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Marketing, Management, Civil Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Business & Management (General), Genetics & Genomics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Sciences (General), Adult Nursing, Creative Writing, Film Production & Cinematography, Applied Psychology, Building & Construction, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Biochemistry, Human Resource Management, Performing Arts (General), Social Policy & Public Policy, Biomedical Engineering, Health & Social Care, Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Arts (General), Developmental & Educational Psychology, Nursing (General).

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 West London
£16,750

University of West London is about £4,750 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of West London
£17,250

University of West London is about £6,630 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 West London

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction88%
  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction78%
  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    84%Satisfaction85%
  • Drama & Theatre

    £16,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    95%Satisfaction92%
  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    81%Satisfaction85%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    88%Satisfaction88%
  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    83%Satisfaction88%
  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    86%Satisfaction94%
  • Mathematics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)No data
    95%Satisfaction92%
  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    84%Satisfaction91%
  • Accounting

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    78%Satisfaction96%
  • Journalism

    No dataSalary (3 years)£21,500
    78%Satisfaction100%

Showing the 12 largest of 27 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 West London

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of West London: common questions

Is University of Essex or University of West London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £16,750 at University of West London: University of West London is about £4,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £17,250 at University of West London: University of West London is about £6,630 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 West London?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Economics, Law, Drama & Theatre, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Psychology (General) and 33 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £26,500 from University of West London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 88% at University of West London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Essex or University of West London offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of West London lists 338 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 29 subject areas that University of West London does not, including History, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, English Literature, Linguistics, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Biotechnology and 21 more.

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

University of West London teaches 23 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Music, Information Systems & Data Science, Biological Sciences (General), Games Design & Computer Animation, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Education Studies, Learning Disabilities Nursing and 15 more.

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