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.
Cambridge
Colchester · QS World #438
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 6 datapoints
We looked at 6 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
2/6
Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts
scored higher in 2 categories
4/6
Essex
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Essex leads in 4 of 6 categories where both have data (established, employment, courses, scholarship). Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts is ahead on satisfaction, international.
Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts vs University of Essex at a glance
Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts and University of Essex both teach 4 subject areas, the largest being Drama & Theatre, Design & Fashion and Marketing. Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts offers 29 courses across 5 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,620 a year at Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts and £21,500 at University of Essex, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,800 a year at Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £3,920 a year cheaper.
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.
Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts
University of Essex
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.
Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts
4 countries · 60.9% international
- 🇨🇳China28.6%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.1%
- 🇮🇹Italy7.1%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia7.1%
Essex
97 countries · 33.7% international
- 🇮🇳India21.2%
- 🇨🇳China11.7%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan6.1%
- 🇫🇷France5.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria4.4%
Subjects
4 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.
Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts
University of Essex
Drama & Theatre
1 courseFee not available
26 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Design & Fashion
14 coursesTypical fee £21,620 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £23,880 (PG)
Marketing
2 coursesTypical fee £21,620 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Creative Arts (General)
Only at Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts
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
- Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts
- £21,620
- University of Essex
- £21,500
About the same.
Postgraduate
- Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts
- £27,800
- University of Essex
- £23,880
University of Essex is about £3,920 a year cheaper.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveCambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts
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
FAQ
Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts vs University of Essex: common questions
Is Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts or University of Essex cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,620 a year at Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts and £21,500 at University of Essex, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,800 a year at Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £3,920 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 Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts and University of Essex?
Both universities teach 4 subject areas: Drama & Theatre, Design & Fashion, Marketing and Creative Arts (General).
Does Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts or University of Essex offer more courses?
University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts lists 29 courses.
What can you study at Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts but not at University of Essex?
Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts teaches 1 subject area that University of Essex does not, including Music.
What can you study at University of Essex but not at Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts?
University of Essex teaches 70 subject areas that Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science and 62 more.
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