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 Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton · QS World #1001

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

8/11

Essex

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Wolverhampton

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Wolverhampton is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment.

University of Essex vs University of Wolverhampton at a glance

University of Essex and University of Wolverhampton both teach 41 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Law. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Wolverhampton offers 270 courses across 68 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £16,950 at University of Wolverhampton: University of Wolverhampton is about £4,550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £18,230 at University of Wolverhampton: University of Wolverhampton is about £5,650 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 26 and University of Wolverhampton in 2. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £33,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £21,000 from University of Wolverhampton. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Wolverhampton is higher in 16 and University of Essex in 9, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#1001
#301
THE World
#801
#44
Guardian UK
#85
1964
Established
1827
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Bronze

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 Wolverhampton

87.2%
87.4%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£27,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
80.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
16.1%

International

International student share

748
270

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

Wolverhampton

28 countries · 16.1% international

  • 🌐Nepal29.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria22.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan13%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh11.2%
  • 🇮🇳India9.1%

Subjects

41 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 Wolverhampton

Also taught at both: Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Building & Construction, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Creative Writing, Applied Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Biomedical Sciences, Design & Fashion, Human Resource Management, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, English Studies, Health & Social Care, Biochemistry, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Teacher Training, Nursing (General).

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Wolverhampton

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 Wolverhampton
£16,950

University of Wolverhampton is about £4,550 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Wolverhampton
£18,230

University of Wolverhampton is about £5,650 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 Wolverhampton

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

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

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%Satisfaction92%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    77%Satisfaction89%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    No dataSatisfaction89%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    83%Satisfaction80%

  • Accounting

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    78%Satisfaction90%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    84%Satisfaction78%

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 Wolverhampton

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Wolverhampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £16,950 at University of Wolverhampton: University of Wolverhampton is about £4,550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £18,230 at University of Wolverhampton: University of Wolverhampton is about £5,650 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 Wolverhampton?

Both universities teach 41 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Law, Economics, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Accounting, Psychology (General) and 29 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £20,000 from University of Wolverhampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 88% at University of Wolverhampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Wolverhampton lists 270 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 33 subject areas that University of Wolverhampton does not, including Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, Mathematics, English Literature, Linguistics, Ecology & Conservation, English Language and 25 more.

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

University of Wolverhampton teaches 27 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Architecture, Forensic Science, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Healthcare Science, Anatomy & Pathology, Chemical Engineering, Education Studies and 19 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 Wolverhampton270 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses