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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

Y
York St John University

York · Guardian UK #105

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.

6/9

Essex

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

3/9

York St John

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). York St John University is ahead on established, employment, international.

University of Essex vs York St John University at a glance

University of Essex and York St John University both teach 34 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Economics. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; York St John University offers 199 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £14,000 at York St John University: York St John University is about £7,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £11,800 at York St John University: York St John University is about £12,080 a year cheaper.

Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 22 and York St John University in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £30,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £20,000 from York St John University. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, York St John University is higher in 21 and University of Essex in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
—
#301
THE World
#1001
#44
Guardian UK
#105
1964
Established
1841
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

York St John University

87.2%
86.8%

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%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
37.1%

International

International student share

748
199

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
1

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 St John

35 countries · 37.1% international

  • 🌐Nepal33.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria25.4%
  • 🇮🇳India20.5%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan4.1%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka4%

Subjects

34 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

York St John University

Also taught at both: Business & Management (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Creative Writing, English Language, Media & Film Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Applied Psychology, Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Teacher Training, Biomedical Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Physical Geography & Climate, Adult Nursing, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing.

Only at University of Essex

Only at York St John University

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
York St John University
£14,000

York St John University is about £7,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
York St John University
£11,800

York St John University is about £12,080 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

York St John University

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    93%Satisfaction98%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    84%Satisfaction71%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)No data
    84%Satisfaction93%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    81%Satisfaction78%

  • English Literature

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    83%Satisfaction97%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £16,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    95%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Accounting

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    78%Satisfaction76%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    83%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 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 →

York St John University

Sanctuary Scholarships

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs York St John University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £14,000 at York St John University: York St John University is about £7,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £11,800 at York St John University: York St John University is about £12,080 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 York St John University?

Both universities teach 34 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Computer Science, English Literature, Drama & Theatre, Psychology (General), Accounting, Business Studies and 22 more.

Is University of Essex or York St John University 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 York St John University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 89% at York St John University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and York St John University lists 199 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 40 subject areas that York St John University does not, including Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Linguistics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Social Sciences (General) and 32 more.

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

York St John University teaches 15 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, Music, Theology & Religious Studies, Education Studies, Fine Art, Geography (General), Publishing, Software Engineering and 7 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
Y
York St John University199 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses