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.
Glasgow
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.
3/7
Glasgow School of Art
scored higher in 3 categories
4/7
Essex
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Essex leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (satisfaction, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Glasgow School of Art is ahead on established, employment, international.
Glasgow School of Art vs University of Essex at a glance
Glasgow School of Art and University of Essex both teach 4 subject areas, the largest being History of Art & Design, Design & Fashion and Film Production & Cinematography. Glasgow School of Art offers 40 courses across 12 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,350 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £2,850 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,900 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £2,020 a year cheaper.
Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Glasgow School of Art is higher in 2 and University of Essex in 0. The widest gap is in Film Production & Cinematography: £19,000 three years after graduating from Glasgow School of Art, against £17,000 from University of Essex. Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Glasgow School of Art is higher in 1 and University of Essex in 1.
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.
Glasgow School of Art
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.
Glasgow School of Art
33 countries · 36.6% international
- 🇨🇳China64.4%
- 🇺🇸United States5.3%
- 🇮🇳India3.8%
- 🌐Korea (South)2.9%
- 🇫🇷France1.4%
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.
Glasgow School of Art
University of Essex
History of Art & Design
2 coursesTypical fee £24,350 (UG)
33 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Design & Fashion
15 coursesTypical fee £24,350 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £23,880 (PG)
Film Production & Cinematography
Creative Arts (General)
Only at Glasgow School of Art
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
- Glasgow School of Art
- £24,350
- University of Essex
- £21,500
University of Essex is about £2,850 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Glasgow School of Art
- £25,900
- University of Essex
- £23,880
University of Essex is about £2,020 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.
Glasgow School of Art
University of Essex
History of Art & Design
No dataSalary (3 years)£23,50089%Satisfaction88%Film Production & Cinematography
£19,000Salary (3 years)£17,00084%Satisfaction86%Creative Arts (General)
£19,000Salary (3 years)£17,000No dataSatisfactionNo data
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveGlasgow School of Art
GSA Financial Support Scholarships 2026/27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
GSA International Merit Scholarships 2026/27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
International Foundation Scholarships 2026-27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
Mackintosh School of Architecture Scholarships 2026-27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
School of Design Scholarships 2026-27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
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
Glasgow School of Art vs University of Essex: common questions
Is Glasgow School of Art or University of Essex cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,350 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £2,850 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,900 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £2,020 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 Glasgow School of Art and University of Essex?
Both universities teach 4 subject areas: History of Art & Design, Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography and Creative Arts (General).
Is Glasgow School of Art or University of Essex better for Film Production & Cinematography?
Film Production & Cinematography graduates earn a median £19,000 three years after graduating from Glasgow School of Art, and £17,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Glasgow School of Art and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Glasgow School of Art or University of Essex offer more courses?
University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Glasgow School of Art lists 40 courses.
What can you study at Glasgow School of Art but not at University of Essex?
Glasgow School of Art teaches 8 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Architecture, Fine Art, Applied Computing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Anatomy & Pathology, Computing & IT, Games Design & Computer Animation and General Engineering.
What can you study at University of Essex but not at Glasgow School of Art?
University of Essex teaches 70 subject areas that Glasgow School of Art does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Philosophy, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Drama & Theatre and 62 more.
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