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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.

N
Northumbria University, Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne · QS World #528

U
University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/10

Northumbria

scored higher in 1 category

VS

9/10

Essex

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Northumbria University, Newcastle is ahead on employment.

Northumbria University, Newcastle vs University of Essex at a glance

Northumbria University, Newcastle and University of Essex both teach 50 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Computer Science. Northumbria University, Newcastle offers 305 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £21,500 at University of Essex: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £1,650 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £23,880 at University of Essex: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £4,030 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 26 and Northumbria University, Newcastle in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £21,000 three years after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle, against £30,000 from University of Essex. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Northumbria University, Newcastle is higher in 15 and University of Essex in 11, with 5 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#528
QS World
#438
#401
THE World
#301
#53
Guardian UK
#44
1969
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.

Northumbria University, Newcastle

University of Essex

83.5%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£31,000
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.1%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.5%
33.7%

International

International student share

305
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

7
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.

Northumbria

85 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India35.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.3%
  • 🌐Kuwait4%
  • 🇨🇳China3.8%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.8%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

50 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.

Northumbria University, Newcastle

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Design & Fashion, Marketing, Business & Management (General), Linguistics, English Language, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Applied Psychology, Social Work, Civil Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Creative Writing, Building & Construction, Childhood & Youth Studies, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, English Studies, Environmental Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Adult Nursing, Biochemistry, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Human Geography & Environment, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Teacher Training, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Clinical & Health Psychology, Nursing (General).

Only at Northumbria University, Newcastle

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

Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850
University of Essex
£21,500

Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £1,650 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850
University of Essex
£23,880

Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £4,030 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.

Northumbria University, Newcastle

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    98%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    87%Satisfaction81%

  • Business Studies

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    73%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    70%Satisfaction84%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    78%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    85%Satisfaction95%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£16,500
    96%Satisfaction95%

  • English Literature

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    94%Satisfaction83%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    88%Satisfaction77%

Showing the 12 largest of 32 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Northumbria University, Newcastle

2025/26 PGT Sanctuary Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

2025/26 UG Sanctuary Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Castle Peak Postgraduate Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

GEMS Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Horiba Foundation UK Scholarship

See details

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

Northumbria University, Newcastle vs University of Essex: common questions

Is Northumbria University, Newcastle or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £21,500 at University of Essex: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £1,650 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £23,880 at University of Essex: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £4,030 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 Northumbria University, Newcastle and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 50 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Computer Science, Business Studies, Law, Economics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Mathematics, Drama & Theatre, English Literature, Finance & Actuarial Science and 38 more.

Is Northumbria University, Newcastle or University of Essex better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Northumbria University, Newcastle and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Northumbria University, Newcastle or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Northumbria University, Newcastle lists 305 courses.

What can you study at Northumbria University, Newcastle but not at University of Essex?

Northumbria University, Newcastle teaches 21 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemistry, Fine Art, Forensic Science, Midwifery, Nutrition & Dietetics and 13 more.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at Northumbria University, Newcastle?

University of Essex teaches 24 subject areas that Northumbria University, Newcastle does not, including Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Journalism, Management, Ecology & Conservation, Social Sciences (General), Biotechnology, Ancient Languages and 16 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

N
Northumbria University, Newcastle305 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses