University of Hertfordshire vs University of East London

University of Hertfordshire vs University of East London

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The University of Hertfordshire, situated in Hatfield to the north of London, is a contemporary public university that serves nearly 30,000 students. It has a fairly easy admission process, with about a 70% acceptance rate. Hertfordshire has a solid reputation in programs like Engineering, Computer Sciences, Business Studies, and Health Sciences. The graduation rate is about 65-70%, and early career graduates make approximately INR 28-32 lakhs per year (£26,000-30,000) in the UK job market. 

The University of East London is a publicly funded university situated in the Docklands and Stratford areas of London, with an enrollment of approximately 25,000 students. The school is open admission, and the acceptance rate is about 56%. The university specializes in areas including, but not limited to Business, Psychology, Architecture and Creative Arts. The graduation rate is roughly between 55 and 60%. Graduates can expect early career average earn rate of around ?25-29 lakhs per year (around $23,000-27,000).

Overview Comparison
University of HertfordshireUniversity of East London
Collegedunia Score4.2 Out of 104.1 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 48 The Guardian 2026
# 601 Times Higher Education 2026
# 901 QS World University 2026
# 33 The Guardian 2026
# 1001 Times Higher Education 2026
# 1001 QS World University 2026
Subject Strength# 601 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025
# 701 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 40 for Law by The Guardian 2026
# 1001 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2023
# 68 for Law by The Guardian 2026
ProgramsUG Programs -63
PG Programs -94
UG Programs -101
PG Programs -76
Doctorate Programs -1
Acceptance Rate70.0 %45.0 %
Exam ScoreGMAT-600
IELTS-6.5
PTE-58
SAT-1210
TOEFL-72
GMAT-550
GRE-299
IELTS-6
PTE-62
TOEFL-89
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   18426
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  17250
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 900 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   13740
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  16740
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 25543 Per Year
placement (average package)

University of Hertfordshire is one of the top public universities in Hatfield, United Kingdom. It is ranked #801-1000 in QS World University Rankings 2023.

  • LLM: $64,000 
  • PhD: $59,000 
  • Bachelor of Science: $50,000 
  • Masters in Management: $48,000 
  • Master (Other): $47,000 
  • Masters in Finance: $46,000 

Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows:

MBA : $65,000 

Master (Other)  : $56,000 

LLM  : $49,000 

Masters in Finance  : $48,000 

Other Degree : $45,000 

Masters in Science : $43,000 


application requirements

Students should submit English language proficiency test scores

Check program specific requirements

Academic Transcripts; Proof of English language proficiency; Personal Statement; Work Experience; Interviews (for a few PG programs); Other supplementary documents (Portfolios, Auditions, Research proposal, etc.).

CollegeDunia Reviews7.4/10 Read 24 reviews7.7/10 Read 11 reviews

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 56 for Business by The Guardian 2026
# 801 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 72 for Business by The Guardian 2026
# 801 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
exam scoresDuolingo - 120/160IELTS - 6/9PTE - 59/90TOEFL - 79/120IELTS - 6.0/9
cost to studyTotal Cost (Tuition + Living) -34450Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -30885
documents required#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose
application datesNov 15, 2026 (Application Deadline for January Intake)
Apr 7, 2026 (Application Deadline For May 2026 Intake)
Jul 31, 2026 (Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake)
Nov 28, 2026 (Application Deadline For January 2026 Intake)
General Facts Comparison
General FactsUniversity of HertfordshireUniversity of East London
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1952
1898
Student:Faculty Ratio18:1
29:1:1
Male:Female0% Male, 0% Female43% Male, 0% Female
Location Facts

The University of Hertfordshire is located in Hatfield, just 25 minutes by train from London's King's Cross station and within easy access of the A1(M).

Our 2 sites, College Lane and de Havilland, are situated less than a kilometre apart. A network of pathways, cycle routes and handy shuttle buses connects the sites.


2 campuses- Stratford (located in one of the best-connected area of London, close to Stratford’s thriving town center, 15 min from London’s West End, close to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park) and London Docklands (near Waterfront campus located in Royal Albert Dock).


Library

Extensive digital and printed library collections 

  • Over 900,000 books, including 490,000 online e-books
  • Online and print journals (over 40,000 titles)
  • Online information databases
  • Multiple copies of key texts
  • Past examination papers online
  • Generous book borrowing privileges
  • Self-service inter-library loan facility

2 Physical Libraries; Library, Archives and Learning Services open 24/7 during term time; houses high-quality academic resources, expert advice, inspirational study spaces, books, journals, DVDs, archival collection


Campus Life
  • The campus of the University has 6,000 Square meters of laboratory, including office space for health technology business and life science.
  • The 50-hectare site in Bayfordbury houses the atmospheric physics remote sensing observatory and laboratory.
  • The Student Wellbeing Center on the College Lane campus of the University provides mental health, disability, emotional and health-related issues to the students.
  • The campus offers first-class facilities such as a gym, social sciences spaces, and a central hub. They also have sports facilities including a climbing wall and a pool. De Harville Campus is provided with a library, computer center, and resource center.
  • The campus has many educational spots, including a biology lab, creative art gallery, simulation wards, an aerospace lab, an observatory, and a law building.

Docklands Campus: 24/7 Docklands library; 26 million USD SportsDock centre; Campus shop & bookstore; Children’s Garden Nursery; Cafés, eateries, & a late bar; Student Union facilities- student lounge. 
Stratford Campus: new library & learning centre; upgraded labs & computing services; Cass School of Education and Communities; Centre for Clinical Education in Podiatry, Physiotherapy and Sports Science; Campus restaurant; Bookshop; Students’ Union café-bar; Westfield Stratford City (Europe’s largest indoor shopping mall)


Hostel#Monthly Rent - $700
#Rooms (Standard) - $8036
#Rooms (Detached Flat) - $8323
#Rooms (Studio) - $9184
Famous Alumni

The University has a strong alumni network of 270,000 graduates. Some of the Hertfordshire University notable alumni include Owen Farrell (England Rugby player), Sanjeev Bhaskar (British comedian), and Claire Margaret Ward (Labour Party politician).


Sonam Kapoor (Bollywood Actress); Kemi Adeosun (Minister of Finance of Nigeria); Tazeen Ahmad (British journalist & broadcaster); Roger Ashton-Griffiths (British actor, writer & director); Garry Bushell (British journalist & broadcaster); Simon Carter (Artist); Gemma Gibbons (Judo Olympian); Jeffrey Lawal-Balogun (track athlete)


City Life

Hatfield offers plenty of things to do right on your doorstep. From local amenities, including a variety of supermarkets, to days out with your friends and family, you don't have to travel far.

atfield has restaurants and cafes catering to all tastes and dietary requirements including Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Greek, Italian, Tex-Mex and British, fast food, takeaways, gastro pubs and coffee shops. A popular choice for many students is the 'Turkish Kitchen' or 'Wetherspoons.'

Located next to de Havilland campus, Ellenbrook Fields is a large nature reserve open to the public. The area is popular with walkers, runners and cyclists and is host to Hatfield's weekly parkrun.

There are a variety of shopping options from the farmers' market to the The Galleria outlet mall, located between the College Lane and de Havilland campuses. It contains a variety of shops, an Odeon cinema and restaurants - many of which offer discounts to students. Throughout the year they hold student lock-in events which offer even more discounts.

A short walk away, the town centre has many more high street brands.


London- 1st in QS News Best Student Cities (2019); Capital city of England; known for Palace of Westminster, Tower of London, London Eye, Arts Galleries, Museum of London, Science Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, & various other cultural attractions; UK parliament; PM’s home; BBC headquarters. 


Weather
Comparison Notes

University of Hertfordshire vs University of East London

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

Neither university appears in global rankings of the top 500, but both have recognized regional strengths. The University of Hertfordshire is strong in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Arts, and Business. UEL is recognized for strength in Health & Social Care, Business, Architecture, and Sport Science. Typically, Hertfordshire has a better academic reputation and research profile, while UEL's strengths are focused on applied professional programs with an emphasis on strong connections in industry in London.

General Information

The University of Hertfordshire is based in Hatfield and has a student cohort of over 30,000. The university also boasts a modern campus and strong links with industry, particularly in the technology, engineering, and creative sectors. The University of East London (UEL) is located in East London with campuses in Stratford and Docklands and has a student cohort of about 18,000. The UEL program provides a diverse and metropolitan student experience, while also focusing on employing and developing a applied learning experience.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

Hertfordshire's acceptance rate is approximately 70%. The University of Hertfordshire attracts students seeking STEM and creative arts with significant international recognition in other disciplines of study. UEL has a slightly higher acceptance rated of 56% with an explicit emphasis on inclusive and accessible pathways of study for a diverse range of students, in disciplines such as health, business, and architecture.

Research Impact & Facilities

Hertfordshire focuses on applied research related to aerospace, robotics, computer science, and business innovation, drawing on its modern laboratories and links with industry. UEL is also focused on applied research, which includes disciplines in health, social sciences, sports, and business-related subjects, with strong links with community and professional partners. However, UEL has less sizeable research spaces and an explicit emphasis on practice and career-focused environments than Hertfordshire.

Cost & Financial Aid

International tuition fees at Hertfordshire will be approximately £14,000-16,000 per year, with international tuition estimates at UEL around £13,000-15,000 per year. Living costs will be slightly less in Hatfield than London, and especially when you live closer to Stratford, as rental and living costs naturally increase as you get closer to the city. Your textbook budget will be very similar. Both universities offer scholarships for international students, but Hertfordshire's scholarship programs are slightly more wide-ranging.

Career Destinations & Graduates' Success

Hertfordshire graduates often start to work within aerospace, IT, creative industries, and business, which is helped by good employer partnerships and placement opportunities during their undergraduate and postgraduate study experiences. The range of skills that UEL graduates develop allows entry into careers in healthcare and social practice, education, business, architecture, and sports-related careers, benefitting from strong links to London's professional network. Evidence suggests a stronger global reputation and recognition for research with Hertfordshire, including applied research in STEM, creative and technological disciplines. UEL provides locally and nationally recognised research and excellent opportunities for students to build applied frameworks through practice whilst enabling local industry connections for work in metropolitan environments.