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.
Newcastle upon Tyne · QS World #149
Colchester · QS World #438
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 11 datapoints
We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
7/11
Newcastle
scored higher in 7 categories
4/11
Essex
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
Newcastle University leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, graduate salary). University of Essex is ahead on satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship.
Newcastle University vs University of Essex at a glance
Newcastle University and University of Essex both teach 57 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Computer Science. Newcastle University offers 502 courses across 99 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,750 a year at Newcastle University and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £4,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Newcastle University and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £6,820 a year cheaper.
Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Newcastle University is higher in 14 and University of Essex in 7, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £38,000 three years after graduating from Newcastle University, against £26,500 from University of Essex. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 11 and Newcastle University in 10, with 2 about level.
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.
Newcastle 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.
Newcastle
91 countries · 22.1% international
- 🇨🇳China43.8%
- 🇮🇳India8.5%
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
- 🌐Kuwait3.3%
- 🌐Cyprus (Non-European Union)3.2%
Essex
97 countries · 33.7% international
- 🇮🇳India21.2%
- 🇨🇳China11.7%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan6.1%
- 🇫🇷France5.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria4.4%
Subjects
57 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.
Newcastle University
University of Essex
Politics & International Relations
14 coursesTypical fee £24,500 (UG)
52 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
History
7 coursesTypical fee £24,500 (UG)
44 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Computer Science
21 coursesTypical fee £31,500 (UG)
26 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Economics
7 coursesTypical fee £25,750 (UG)
37 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Philosophy
4 coursesTypical fee £24,500 (UG)
36 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
8 coursesTypical fee £24,500 (UG)
28 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Law
6 coursesTypical fee £24,500 (UG)
29 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Mathematics
12 coursesTypical fee £30,700 (UG)
23 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
7 coursesTypical fee £30,700 (UG)
26 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Finance & Actuarial Science
7 coursesTypical fee £25,750 (UG)
24 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
16 coursesTypical fee £30,700 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £25,050 (UG)
Business Studies
10 coursesTypical fee £25,750 (UG)
18 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Civil Engineering
23 coursesTypical fee £30,700 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £23,880 (PG)
Psychology (General)
7 coursesTypical fee £30,700 (UG)
20 coursesTypical fee £24,360 (UG)
Linguistics
11 coursesTypical fee £24,500 (UG)
15 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Also taught at both: Accounting, English Literature, Childhood & Youth Studies, Journalism, Biomedical Sciences, Business & Management (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Ecology & Conservation, Management, Media & Film Studies, Biotechnology, Creative Writing, Social Sciences (General), Human Geography & Environment, Applied Psychology, Environmental Sciences, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Genetics & Genomics, Statistics, Ancient Languages, Biology, Biochemistry, English Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Welsh Studies, Biomedical Engineering, Classical Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Social Policy & Public Policy, Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Health & Social Care, Cultural Studies, Human Resource Management, Physical Geography & Climate, Clinical & Health Psychology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Landscape Architecture & Design, Technology & Logistics.
Only at Newcastle 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
- Newcastle University
- £25,750
- University of Essex
- £21,500
University of Essex is about £4,250 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Newcastle University
- £30,700
- University of Essex
- £23,880
University of Essex is about £6,820 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.
Newcastle University
University of Essex
Politics & International Relations
£29,000Salary (3 years)£25,00085%Satisfaction86%History
£25,000Salary (3 years)£23,50087%Satisfaction93%Computer Science
£33,000Salary (3 years)£33,50070%Satisfaction81%Economics
£34,000Salary (3 years)£30,00078%Satisfaction84%Philosophy
£27,000Salary (3 years)£24,00095%Satisfaction90%Sociology & Criminology
£25,500Salary (3 years)£24,00086%Satisfaction88%Law
£26,500Salary (3 years)£24,00087%Satisfaction84%Mathematics
£27,000Salary (3 years)£29,00084%Satisfaction95%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£24,000Salary (3 years)£25,00098%Satisfaction87%Finance & Actuarial Science
£32,000Salary (3 years)£33,00079%Satisfaction77%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£32,500Salary (3 years)No data83%Satisfaction75%Business Studies
£32,000Salary (3 years)£27,00071%Satisfaction83%
Showing the 12 largest of 24 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveNewcastle University
Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarships
See details
Deadline: N/A
Newcastle University Sanctuary Scholarships
See details
Deadline: N/A
St Nicholas' Educational Trust Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Scholarships
See details
Deadline: N/A
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
Newcastle University vs University of Essex: common questions
Is Newcastle University or University of Essex cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,750 a year at Newcastle University and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £4,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Newcastle University and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £6,820 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 Newcastle University and University of Essex?
Both universities teach 57 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Computer Science, Economics, Philosophy, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Mathematics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business Studies and 45 more.
Is Newcastle University or University of Essex better for Politics & International Relations?
Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £29,000 three years after graduating from Newcastle University, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Newcastle University and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Newcastle University or University of Essex offer more courses?
University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Newcastle University lists 502 courses.
What can you study at Newcastle University but not at University of Essex?
Newcastle University teaches 42 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Nutrition & Dietetics, Clinical Specialities, Physics, Marine Engineering & Technology, Architecture, Chemical Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing, Information & Library Studies and 34 more.
What can you study at University of Essex but not at Newcastle University?
University of Essex teaches 17 subject areas that Newcastle University does not, including History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, English Language, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Liberal Arts, Applied Biology & Human Biology and 9 more.
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