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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.

D
DN Colleges Group

Doncaster

U
University of Essex

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

DN Colleges Group

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

4/6

Essex

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 4 of 6 categories where both have data (established, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). DN Colleges Group is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

DN Colleges Group vs University of Essex at a glance

DN Colleges Group and University of Essex both teach 17 subject areas, the largest being Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences and Business Studies. DN Colleges Group offers 72 courses across 26 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £12,500 a year at DN Colleges Group and £21,500 at University of Essex: DN Colleges Group is about £9,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £12,500 a year at DN Colleges Group and £23,880 at University of Essex: DN Colleges Group is about £11,380 a year cheaper.

Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 3 and DN Colleges Group in 0. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £21,000 three years after graduating from DN Colleges Group, against £27,000 from University of Essex. Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, DN Colleges Group is higher in 8 and University of Essex 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
2017
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.

DN Colleges Group

University of Essex

92.2%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£23,400
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
33.7%

International

International student share

72
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

DN Colleges Group

No published data on international students

    VS

    Essex

    97 countries · 33.7% international

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

    Subjects

    17 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.

    DN Colleges Group

    University of Essex

    • Sociology & Criminology

      2 courses

      Typical fee £12,500 (UG)

      28 courses

      Typical fee £21,500 (UG)

    • Sport & Exercise Sciences

      4 courses

      Typical fee £12,500 (UG)

      26 courses

      Typical fee £22,600 (UG)

    • Business Studies

      2 courses

      Typical fee £12,500 (UG)

      18 courses

      Typical fee £22,600 (UG)

    • English Literature

      1 course

      Typical fee £12,500 (UG)

      18 courses

      Typical fee £21,500 (UG)

    • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

      2 courses

      Typical fee £12,500 (UG)

      13 courses

      Typical fee £25,050 (UG)

    • Business & Management (General)

      2 courses

      Typical fee £12,500 (UG)

      11 courses

      Typical fee £22,600 (UG)

    • Childhood & Youth Studies

      4 courses

      Typical fee £12,500 (UG)

      7 courses

      Typical fee £21,500 (UG)

    • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

      1 course

      Typical fee £12,500 (UG)

      10 courses

      Typical fee £24,360 (UG)

    • Counselling & Psychotherapy

      4 courses

      Typical fee £12,500 (UG)

      4 courses

      Typical fee £21,500 (UG)

    • Biomedical Sciences

      2 courses

      Typical fee £12,500 (UG)

      4 courses

      Typical fee £24,360 (UG)

    • Building & Construction

      5 courses

      Typical fee £12,500 (UG)

      1 course

      Typical fee £24,680 (PG)

    • Health & Social Care

      4 courses

      Typical fee £12,500 (UG)

      2 courses

      Typical fee £21,500 (UG)

    • Design & Fashion

      4 courses

      Typical fee £12,500 (UG)

      1 course

      Typical fee £23,880 (PG)

    • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

      1 course

      Typical fee £12,500 (UG)

      4 courses

      Typical fee £25,050 (UG)

    • Social Policy & Public Policy

      1 course

      Typical fee £12,500 (UG)

      4 courses

      Typical fee £21,500 (UG)

    Also taught at both: Teacher Training, Mental Health Nursing.

    Only at DN Colleges Group

    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

    DN Colleges Group
    £12,500
    University of Essex
    £21,500

    DN Colleges Group is about £9,000 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    DN Colleges Group
    £12,500
    University of Essex
    £23,880

    DN Colleges Group 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.

    DN Colleges Group

    University of Essex

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £18,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
      84%Satisfaction88%

    • Sport & Exercise Sciences

      £20,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
      95%Satisfaction87%

    • Business Studies

      £21,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
      88%Satisfaction83%

    • English Literature

      No dataSalary (3 years)£24,000
      95%Satisfaction83%

    • Childhood & Youth Studies

      No dataSalary (3 years)£26,500
      96%Satisfaction71%

    • Counselling & Psychotherapy

      No dataSalary (3 years)£26,500
      96%Satisfaction83%

    • Biomedical Sciences

      No dataSalary (3 years)£28,500
      100%Satisfaction84%

    • Social Policy & Public Policy

      No dataSalary (3 years)£24,000
      100%Satisfaction88%

    • Mental Health Nursing

      No dataSalary (3 years)£31,500
      100%Satisfaction87%

    Scholarships for International Students

    Exclusive

    DN Colleges Group

    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

    DN Colleges Group vs University of Essex: common questions

    Is DN Colleges Group or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £12,500 a year at DN Colleges Group and £21,500 at University of Essex: DN Colleges Group is about £9,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £12,500 a year at DN Colleges Group and £23,880 at University of Essex: DN Colleges Group 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 DN Colleges Group and University of Essex?

    Both universities teach 17 subject areas: Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, English Literature, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Biomedical Sciences, Building & Construction, Health & Social Care and 5 more.

    Is DN Colleges Group or University of Essex better for Sociology & Criminology?

    Sociology & Criminology graduates earn a median £18,500 three years after graduating from DN Colleges Group, and £24,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at DN Colleges Group and 88% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does DN Colleges Group or University of Essex offer more courses?

    University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and DN Colleges Group lists 72 courses.

    What can you study at DN Colleges Group but not at University of Essex?

    DN Colleges Group teaches 9 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Education Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Computing & IT, Animal Science, Mechanical Engineering, Business Information Systems, Fine Art, General Engineering and 1 more.

    What can you study at University of Essex but not at DN Colleges Group?

    University of Essex teaches 57 subject areas that DN Colleges Group does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Law, Computer Science, Drama & Theatre and 49 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

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

    D
    DN Colleges Group72 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
    U
    University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses