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.
Newport · QS World #1401
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.
4/9
Harper Adams
scored higher in 4 categories
5/9
Essex
scored higher in 5 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Essex leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). Harper Adams University is ahead on TEF, established, employment, graduate salary.
Harper Adams University vs University of Essex at a glance
Harper Adams University and University of Essex both teach 11 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Economics and Law. Harper Adams University offers 103 courses across 21 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,500 a year at Harper Adams University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Harper Adams University is about £5,000 a year cheaper.
Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Harper Adams University is higher in 2 and University of Essex in 0. The widest gap is in Management: £29,500 three years after graduating from Harper Adams University, against £27,000 from University of Essex. Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 3 and Harper Adams University in 0.
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.
Harper Adams University
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.
Harper Adams
14 countries · 2.6% international
- 🇮🇪Ireland37%
- 🌐Zimbabwe7.4%
- 🇩🇰Denmark3.7%
- 🇫🇷France3.7%
- 🇬🇷Greece3.7%
Essex
97 countries · 33.7% international
- 🇮🇳India21.2%
- 🇨🇳China11.7%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan6.1%
- 🇫🇷France5.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria4.4%
Subjects
11 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.
Harper Adams University
University of Essex
Politics & International Relations
3 coursesFee not available
52 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Economics
1 courseTypical fee £16,500 (UG)
37 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Law
1 courseFee not available
29 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
1 courseFee not available
26 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Ecology & Conservation
10 coursesTypical fee £16,500 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £24,360 (UG)
Management
2 coursesTypical fee £16,500 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
3 coursesTypical fee £16,500 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Manufacturing & Production Engineering
Environmental Sciences
Technology & Logistics
Only at Harper Adams University
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
- Harper Adams University
- £16,500
- University of Essex
- £21,500
Harper Adams University is about £5,000 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Harper Adams University
- No data
- University of Essex
- £23,880
We do not have reliable international fee data for Harper Adams University yet.
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.
Harper Adams University
University of Essex
Ecology & Conservation
No dataSalary (3 years)£24,00075%Satisfaction93%Management
£29,500Salary (3 years)£27,00077%Satisfaction82%Business & Management (General)
£29,500Salary (3 years)£27,00077%SatisfactionNo dataManufacturing & Production Engineering
£33,000Salary (3 years)No data87%Satisfaction89%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveHarper Adams University
The Cambidge Foundation CIO Entry Scholarship 2026-27
£6,000
Deadline: Aug 2026
Wakeham Petary Entry Scholarship 2026-27
£5,000
Deadline: Aug 2026
Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship 2026-27
£3,500
Deadline: Aug 2026
Wakeham Petary Open Entry Scholarship 2026-27
£2,500
Deadline: Aug 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
Harper Adams University vs University of Essex: common questions
Is Harper Adams University or University of Essex cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,500 a year at Harper Adams University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Harper Adams University is about £5,000 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 Harper Adams University and University of Essex?
Both universities teach 11 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Economics, Law, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Management, Business & Management (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Environmental Sciences and Technology & Logistics.
Is Harper Adams University or University of Essex better for Management?
Management graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Harper Adams University, and £27,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 77% at Harper Adams University and 82% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Harper Adams University or University of Essex offer more courses?
University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Harper Adams University lists 103 courses.
What can you study at Harper Adams University but not at University of Essex?
Harper Adams University teaches 10 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Veterinary Sciences & Nursing, Agricultural Sciences, Animal Science, Zoology & Animal Biology, Food Science, Mechanical Engineering, Business Information Systems and 2 more.
What can you study at University of Essex but not at Harper Adams University?
University of Essex teaches 63 subject areas that Harper Adams University does not, including History, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Drama & Theatre, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics and 55 more.
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