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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.

A
Arts University Bournemouth

Poole

U
University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 7 datapoints

We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/7

Arts University Bournemouth

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

5/7

Essex

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 5 of 7 categories where both have data (satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Arts University Bournemouth is ahead on established, employment.

Arts University Bournemouth vs University of Essex at a glance

Arts University Bournemouth and University of Essex both teach 9 subject areas, the largest being Drama & Theatre, Design & Fashion and Film Production & Cinematography. Arts University Bournemouth offers 78 courses across 13 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,950 a year at Arts University Bournemouth and £21,500 at University of Essex: Arts University Bournemouth is about £1,550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,980 a year at Arts University Bournemouth and £23,880 at University of Essex: Arts University Bournemouth is about £3,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Arts University Bournemouth is higher in 3 and University of Essex in 1. The widest gap is in Creative Arts (General): £22,000 three years after graduating from Arts University Bournemouth, against £17,000 from University of Essex. Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 2 and Arts University Bournemouth in 1.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#438
—
THE World
#301
—
Guardian UK
#44
1883
Established
1964
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.

Arts University Bournemouth

University of Essex

86.6%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£26,900
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

13.5%
33.7%

International

International student share

78
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
30

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.

Arts University Bournemouth

35 countries · 13.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China17.8%
  • 🇮🇳India12.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States8.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
  • 🌐Iceland3%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India21.2%
  • 🇨🇳China11.7%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.1%
  • 🇫🇷France5.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.4%

Subjects

9 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.

Arts University Bournemouth

University of Essex

Only at Arts University Bournemouth

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

Arts University Bournemouth
£19,950
University of Essex
£21,500

Arts University Bournemouth is about £1,550 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Arts University Bournemouth
£19,980
University of Essex
£23,880

Arts University Bournemouth is about £3,900 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.

Arts University Bournemouth

University of Essex

  • Drama & Theatre

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£16,500
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    84%SatisfactionNo data

  • Creative Writing

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction75%

  • Creative Arts (General)

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    86%SatisfactionNo data

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Arts University Bournemouth

British National Residing Overseas

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

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 →

FAQ

Arts University Bournemouth vs University of Essex: common questions

Is Arts University Bournemouth or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,950 a year at Arts University Bournemouth and £21,500 at University of Essex: Arts University Bournemouth is about £1,550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,980 a year at Arts University Bournemouth and £23,880 at University of Essex: Arts University Bournemouth is about £3,900 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 Arts University Bournemouth and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 9 subject areas: Drama & Theatre, Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography, Business & Management (General), Creative Writing, Media & Film Studies, Performing Arts (General), Creative Arts (General) and Building & Construction.

Is Arts University Bournemouth or University of Essex better for Drama & Theatre?

Drama & Theatre graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from Arts University Bournemouth, and £16,500 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Arts University Bournemouth and 95% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Arts University Bournemouth or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Arts University Bournemouth lists 78 courses.

What can you study at Arts University Bournemouth but not at University of Essex?

Arts University Bournemouth teaches 4 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Fine Art, Architecture, Games Design & Computer Animation and Personal & Professional Development.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at Arts University Bournemouth?

University of Essex teaches 65 subject areas that Arts University Bournemouth does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science and 57 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

A
Arts University Bournemouth78 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses