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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 York

York · QS World #158

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/12

Essex

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

8/12

York

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of York leads in 8 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, employment, graduate salary). University of Essex is ahead on satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship.

University of Essex vs University of York at a glance

University of Essex and University of York both teach 57 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Philosophy. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of York offers 532 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £27,500 at University of York: University of Essex 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 £27,250 at University of York: University of Essex is about £3,370 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of York is higher in 15 and University of Essex in 5, with 7 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £40,000 from University of York. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 16 and University of York in 10, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#158
#301
THE World
#154
#44
Guardian UK
#20
1964
Established
1963
No
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Gold

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 York

87.2%
87.1%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
80.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
18.6%

International

International student share

748
532

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
3

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

York

97 countries · 18.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.1%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.3%
  • 🌐Korea (South)2.2%

Subjects

57 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 York

Also taught at both: Accounting, Business Studies, Management, English Literature, English Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Ecology & Conservation, Marketing, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Language, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies, Social Sciences (General), Ancient Languages, Human Geography & Environment, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biotechnology, Creative Writing, Environmental Sciences, Liberal Arts, Physical Geography & Climate, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Genetics & Genomics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Building & Construction, Adult Nursing, Social Work, Design & Fashion, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Nursing (General), Clinical & Health Psychology, Teacher Training, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of York

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 York
£27,500

University of Essex is about £6,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of York
£27,250

University of Essex is about £3,370 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 York

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Philosophy

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    81%Satisfaction73%

  • Mathematics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    95%Satisfaction86%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    84%Satisfaction75%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    No dataSatisfaction80%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£33,000
    75%Satisfaction88%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    77%Satisfaction74%

Showing the 12 largest of 31 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 York

Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

York Bursary

£1,000

Deadline: N/A

York Futures Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of York: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £27,500 at University of York: University of Essex 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 £27,250 at University of York: University of Essex is about £3,370 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 York?

Both universities teach 57 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Philosophy, Computer Science, Mathematics, History of Art & Design, Law, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science and 45 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £27,500 from University of York. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 91% at University of York. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of York lists 532 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 17 subject areas that University of York does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Welsh Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Performing Arts (General) and 9 more.

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

University of York teaches 25 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Chemistry, Physics, Music, Archaeology, Education Studies, Forensic Science, French, German & Scandinavian Studies and 17 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 York532 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses