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.
Colchester · QS World #438
London · QS World #851
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 10 datapoints
We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
9/10
Essex
scored higher in 9 categories
1/10
Westminster
scored higher in 1 category
Quick Verdict
University of Essex leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Westminster, London is ahead on established.
University of Essex vs University of Westminster, London at a glance
University of Essex and University of Westminster, London both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and History. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Westminster, London offers 322 courses across 64 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £17,600 at University of Westminster, London: University of Westminster, London is about £3,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £18,000 at University of Westminster, London: University of Westminster, London is about £5,880 a year cheaper.
Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 12 and University of Westminster, London in 9, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Nursing (General): £29,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £22,500 from University of Westminster, London. Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Westminster, London is higher in 12 and University of Essex in 9, with 4 about level.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
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 Westminster, London
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
Westminster
108 countries · 30.3% international
- 🇮🇳India17.2%
- 🇺🇸United States12.8%
- 🇨🇳China11.9%
- 🇹🇷Turkey4.1%
- 🇮🇹Italy2.6%
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 Westminster, London
Politics & International Relations
52 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £17,600 (UG)
Law
29 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
19 coursesTypical fee £17,600 (UG)
History
44 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,600 (UG)
Economics
37 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £17,600 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
28 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £17,600 (UG)
History of Art & Design
33 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £18,000 (PG)
Computer Science
26 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £17,600 (UG)
Finance & Actuarial Science
24 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £17,600 (UG)
Business Studies
18 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £17,600 (UG)
Psychology (General)
20 coursesTypical fee £24,360 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,600 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
11 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £17,600 (UG)
English Literature
18 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £17,600 (UG)
Journalism
17 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £12,000 (PG)
Marketing
12 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £17,600 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
4 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
19 coursesTypical fee £17,600 (UG)
Also taught at both: Accounting, Linguistics, Management, Design & Fashion, English Language, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Ancient Languages, Creative Writing, Applied Psychology, Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology, Building & Construction, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Biochemistry, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Creative Arts (General), English Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Human Resource Management, Nursing (General), Teacher Training.
Only at University of Essex
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 Westminster, London
- £17,600
University of Westminster, London is about £3,900 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of Essex
- £23,880
- University of Westminster, London
- £18,000
University of Westminster, London is about £5,880 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 Westminster, London
Politics & International Relations
£25,000Salary (3 years)£25,50086%Satisfaction86%Law
£24,000Salary (3 years)£25,50084%Satisfaction86%History
£23,500Salary (3 years)£26,50093%Satisfaction85%Economics
£30,000Salary (3 years)£24,50084%Satisfaction86%Sociology & Criminology
£24,000Salary (3 years)£23,50088%Satisfaction89%Computer Science
£33,500Salary (3 years)£29,50081%Satisfaction81%Finance & Actuarial Science
£33,000Salary (3 years)£28,00077%Satisfaction76%Business Studies
£27,000Salary (3 years)£25,50083%Satisfaction88%Psychology (General)
£24,500Salary (3 years)£22,50084%Satisfaction81%Business & Management (General)
£27,000Salary (3 years)£26,500No dataSatisfaction69%English Literature
£24,000Salary (3 years)£24,00083%Satisfaction90%Marketing
£27,000Salary (3 years)£27,50075%Satisfaction85%
Showing the 12 largest of 27 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity 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
University of Westminster, London
Rees Jeffreys Scholarship
£10,000
Deadline: N/A
Brian Large Scholarship
£10,000
Deadline: N/A
GREAT Scholarship
£10,000
Deadline: N/A
Chris Wilkinson Scholarship 2026–27
£5,000
Deadline: N/A
The Serum Institute Pathways to Excellence in Health and Life Sciences Programme for Home/UK Students
See details
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
University of Essex vs University of Westminster, London: common questions
Is University of Essex or University of Westminster, London cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £17,600 at University of Westminster, London: University of Westminster, London is about £3,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £18,000 at University of Westminster, London: University of Westminster, London is about £5,880 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 Westminster, London?
Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, History, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, History of Art & Design, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), English Literature and 26 more.
Is University of Essex or University of Westminster, London better for Politics & International Relations?
Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £25,500 from University of Westminster, London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 86% at University of Westminster, London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University of Essex or University of Westminster, London offer more courses?
University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Westminster, London lists 322 courses.
What can you study at University of Essex but not at University of Westminster, London?
University of Essex teaches 36 subject areas that University of Westminster, London does not, including Philosophy, Drama & Theatre, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Mathematics, Ecology & Conservation, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Sciences (General), Childhood & Youth Studies and 28 more.
What can you study at University of Westminster, London but not at University of Essex?
University of Westminster, London teaches 26 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Architecture, Planning & Housing, Information Systems & Data Science, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Software Engineering, Asian Languages & Studies, French and 18 more.
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