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.
Norwich
Colchester · QS World #438
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 8 datapoints
We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
3/8
Norwich University of the Arts
scored higher in 3 categories
5/8
Essex
scored higher in 5 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Essex leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Norwich University of the Arts is ahead on TEF, established, employment.
Norwich University of the Arts vs University of Essex at a glance
Norwich University of the Arts and University of Essex both teach 9 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Computer Science and Film Production & Cinematography. Norwich University of the Arts offers 134 courses across 14 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,860 a year at Norwich University of the Arts and £21,500 at University of Essex: Norwich University of the Arts is about £2,640 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Norwich University of the Arts and £23,880 at University of Essex, so the two cost about the same.
Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Norwich University of the Arts is higher in 2 and University of Essex in 0. The widest gap is in Drama & Theatre: £18,500 three years after graduating from Norwich University of the Arts, against £16,500 from University of Essex. Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 2 and Norwich University of the Arts in 1, with 1 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.
Norwich University of the Arts
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.
Norwich University of the Arts
18 countries · 6.3% international
- 🇺🇸United States20%
- 🇮🇳India11.4%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong8.6%
- 🇸🇬Singapore5.7%
- 🇨🇳China2.9%
Essex
97 countries · 33.7% international
- 🇮🇳India21.2%
- 🇨🇳China11.7%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan6.1%
- 🇫🇷France5.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria4.4%
Subjects
9 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.
Norwich University of the Arts
University of Essex
Design & Fashion
54 coursesTypical fee £18,860 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £23,880 (PG)
Computer Science
8 coursesTypical fee £18,860 (UG)
26 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Film Production & Cinematography
27 coursesTypical fee £18,860 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Drama & Theatre
3 coursesTypical fee £18,860 (UG)
26 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
7 coursesTypical fee £18,860 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Marketing
2 coursesTypical fee £18,860 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Applied Psychology
Childhood & Youth Studies
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Only at Norwich University of the Arts
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
- Norwich University of the Arts
- £18,860
- University of Essex
- £21,500
Norwich University of the Arts is about £2,640 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Norwich University of the Arts
- £24,000
- University of Essex
- £23,880
About the same.
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.
Norwich University of the Arts
University of Essex
Computer Science
No dataSalary (3 years)£33,50081%Satisfaction81%Film Production & Cinematography
£18,500Salary (3 years)£17,00083%Satisfaction86%Drama & Theatre
£18,500Salary (3 years)£16,50088%Satisfaction95%Marketing
No dataSalary (3 years)£27,00079%Satisfaction75%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveNorwich University of the Arts
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
FAQ
Norwich University of the Arts vs University of Essex: common questions
Is Norwich University of the Arts or University of Essex cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,860 a year at Norwich University of the Arts and £21,500 at University of Essex: Norwich University of the Arts is about £2,640 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Norwich University of the Arts and £23,880 at University of Essex, so the two cost about the same. 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 Norwich University of the Arts and University of Essex?
Both universities teach 9 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Film Production & Cinematography, Drama & Theatre, Business & Management (General), Marketing, Applied Psychology, Childhood & Youth Studies and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.
Is Norwich University of the Arts or University of Essex better for Film Production & Cinematography?
Film Production & Cinematography graduates earn a median £18,500 three years after graduating from Norwich University of the Arts, and £17,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Norwich University of the Arts and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Norwich University of the Arts or University of Essex offer more courses?
University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Norwich University of the Arts lists 134 courses.
What can you study at Norwich University of the Arts but not at University of Essex?
Norwich University of the Arts teaches 5 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Fine Art, Applied Computing, Architecture and Music.
What can you study at University of Essex but not at Norwich University of the Arts?
University of Essex teaches 65 subject areas that Norwich University of the Arts does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 57 more.
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