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
Wrexham · Guardian UK #110
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 8 datapoints
We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
6/8
Essex
scored higher in 6 categories
2/8
Wrexham
scored higher in 2 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Essex leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Wrexham University is ahead on established, employment.
University of Essex vs Wrexham University at a glance
University of Essex and Wrexham University both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being Sport & Exercise Sciences, Law and Sociology & Criminology. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; Wrexham University offers 159 courses across 52 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £12,750 at Wrexham University: Wrexham University is about £8,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £12,500 at Wrexham University: Wrexham University is about £11,380 a year cheaper.
Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 14 and Wrexham University in 2. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £23,000 from Wrexham University. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Wrexham University is higher in 10 and University of Essex in 5, with 1 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
Wrexham University
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%
Wrexham
19 countries · 22.9% international
- 🇮🇳India66.8%
- 🇩🇪Germany7.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7.7%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh7.4%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan1.8%
Subjects
30 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
Wrexham University
Sport & Exercise Sciences
26 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £12,750 (UG)
Law
29 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £12,750 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
28 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £12,750 (UG)
Computer Science
26 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £12,750 (UG)
Psychology (General)
20 coursesTypical fee £24,360 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £12,750 (UG)
Accounting
19 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £12,750 (UG)
Business Studies
18 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
3 coursesFee not available
Management
13 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £13,000 (PG)
Business & Management (General)
11 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £11,750 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
13 coursesTypical fee £25,050 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £12,750 (UG)
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
10 coursesTypical fee £24,360 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £12,750 (UG)
Film Production & Cinematography
Applied Psychology
Biomedical Sciences
Childhood & Youth Studies
Also taught at both: Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Social Work, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Building & Construction, Civil Engineering, Health & Social Care, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Creative Arts (General), Design & Fashion, Social Policy & Public Policy, Mental Health Nursing, 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
- Wrexham University
- £12,750
Wrexham University is about £8,750 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of Essex
- £23,880
- Wrexham University
- £12,500
Wrexham University is about £11,380 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
Wrexham University
Sport & Exercise Sciences
£25,000Salary (3 years)£20,50087%Satisfaction95%Law
£24,000Salary (3 years)No data84%Satisfaction85%Sociology & Criminology
£24,000Salary (3 years)£22,00088%Satisfaction96%Computer Science
£33,500Salary (3 years)£23,00081%Satisfaction60%Psychology (General)
£24,500Salary (3 years)£15,50084%Satisfaction88%Accounting
£26,500Salary (3 years)£19,50078%Satisfaction81%Business & Management (General)
£27,000Salary (3 years)£19,500No dataSatisfaction81%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
No dataSalary (3 years)£41,50075%Satisfaction75%Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
£26,500Salary (3 years)£19,50084%Satisfaction91%Film Production & Cinematography
£17,000Salary (3 years)£15,50086%Satisfaction64%Biomedical Sciences
£28,500Salary (3 years)£20,50084%Satisfaction92%Childhood & Youth Studies
£26,500Salary (3 years)£27,00071%SatisfactionNo data
Showing the 12 largest of 19 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
Wrexham University
View all scholarships →FAQ
University of Essex vs Wrexham University: common questions
Is University of Essex or Wrexham University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £12,750 at Wrexham University: Wrexham University is about £8,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £12,500 at Wrexham University: Wrexham University is about £11,380 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 Wrexham University?
Both universities teach 30 subject areas: Sport & Exercise Sciences, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Psychology (General), Accounting, Business Studies, Management, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Film Production & Cinematography and 18 more.
Is University of Essex or Wrexham University better for Sport & Exercise Sciences?
Sport & Exercise Sciences graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £20,500 from Wrexham University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at University of Essex and 95% at Wrexham University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University of Essex or Wrexham University offer more courses?
University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Wrexham University lists 159 courses.
What can you study at University of Essex but not at Wrexham University?
University of Essex teaches 44 subject areas that Wrexham University does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics and 36 more.
What can you study at Wrexham University but not at University of Essex?
Wrexham University teaches 22 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Education Studies, Software Engineering, Fine Art, Forensic Science, Healthcare Science, Nutrition & Dietetics, Aerospace Engineering and 14 more.
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