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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.

E
Edinburgh Napier University

Edinburgh · QS World #801

U
University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

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.

2/9

Edinburgh Napier

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

7/9

Essex

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). Edinburgh Napier University is ahead on employment, graduate salary.

Edinburgh Napier University vs University of Essex at a glance

Edinburgh Napier University and University of Essex both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Law and Sport & Exercise Sciences. Edinburgh Napier University offers 199 courses across 53 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,310 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Edinburgh Napier University is about £1,190 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,540 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Edinburgh Napier University is about £3,340 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 16 and Edinburgh Napier University in 3, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £36,000 three years after graduating from Edinburgh Napier University, against £27,000 from University of Essex. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Edinburgh Napier University is higher in 11 and University of Essex in 8, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
#438
#601
THE World
#301
#57
Guardian UK
#44
1964
Established
1964
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Edinburgh Napier University

University of Essex

84.3%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£32,100
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.1%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

27.5%
33.7%

International

International student share

199
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

29
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.

Edinburgh Napier

70 countries · 27.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India30.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.5%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria13.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States5.3%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4.2%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

38 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.

Edinburgh Napier University

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Ecology & Conservation, Design & Fashion, Social Sciences (General), Civil Engineering, Creative Writing, Film Production & Cinematography, Applied Psychology, Building & Construction, Media & Film Studies, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Teacher Training, English Studies, Human Resource Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Social Policy & Public Policy, Adult Nursing, Health & Social Care, Mental Health Nursing, Creative Arts (General), Nursing (General), Technology & Logistics.

Only at Edinburgh Napier University

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

Edinburgh Napier University
£20,310
University of Essex
£21,500

Edinburgh Napier University is about £1,190 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Edinburgh Napier University
£20,540
University of Essex
£23,880

Edinburgh Napier University is about £3,340 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.

Edinburgh Napier University

University of Essex

  • Computer Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    84%Satisfaction81%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    77%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    79%Satisfaction88%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£16,500
    97%Satisfaction95%

  • Business Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    79%Satisfaction83%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    79%Satisfaction77%

  • Management

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    76%Satisfaction82%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    79%SatisfactionNo data

  • Accounting

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    83%Satisfaction78%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Edinburgh Napier University

OAS Craiglockhart Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

WSP and Dodyk Scholarship

£16,875

Deadline: N/A

Hong Kong Scholarship Trust

£16,000

Deadline: Apr 2027

Carnegie Masters Grant

£10,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Data and AI Scholarships with The Data Lab

100%

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

Edinburgh Napier University vs University of Essex: common questions

Is Edinburgh Napier University or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,310 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Edinburgh Napier University is about £1,190 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,540 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Edinburgh Napier University is about £3,340 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 Edinburgh Napier University and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Computer Science, Law, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Drama & Theatre, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Management, Business & Management (General), Accounting, Psychology (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 26 more.

Is Edinburgh Napier University or University of Essex better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £25,500 three years after graduating from Edinburgh Napier University, and £33,500 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Edinburgh Napier University and 81% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Edinburgh Napier University or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Edinburgh Napier University lists 199 courses.

What can you study at Edinburgh Napier University but not at University of Essex?

Edinburgh Napier University teaches 15 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Mechanical Engineering, Information Systems & Data Science, Music, Software Engineering, Architecture, Games Design & Computer Animation, Midwifery, Biological Sciences (General) and 7 more.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at Edinburgh Napier University?

University of Essex teaches 36 subject areas that Edinburgh Napier University does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Mathematics, English Literature, Linguistics and 28 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

E
Edinburgh Napier University199 courses · 29 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses