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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
Nottingham Trent University

Nottingham · QS World #639

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.

4/10

Nottingham Trent

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

6/10

Essex

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Nottingham Trent University is ahead on ranking, TEF, established, employment.

Nottingham Trent University vs University of Essex at a glance

Nottingham Trent University and University of Essex both teach 54 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and History. Nottingham Trent University offers 462 courses across 81 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,950 a year at Nottingham Trent University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Nottingham Trent University is about £3,550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,300 a year at Nottingham Trent University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Nottingham Trent University is about £5,580 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 21 and Nottingham Trent University in 7, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £26,500 three years after graduating from Nottingham Trent University, against £33,500 from University of Essex. Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Nottingham Trent University is higher in 19 and University of Essex in 15, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#639
QS World
#438
#601
THE World
#301
#42
Guardian UK
#44
1843
Established
1964
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Nottingham Trent University

University of Essex

87.2%
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

84.2%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
33.7%

International

International student share

462
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Nottingham Trent

106 countries · 16% international

  • 🇮🇳India28.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.1%
  • 🌐Kuwait5.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan4.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.1%
VS

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Subjects

54 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.

Nottingham Trent University

University of Essex

Also taught at both: Journalism, Ecology & Conservation, Accounting, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Linguistics, Marketing, Business & Management (General), Film Production & Cinematography, Civil Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Language, Building & Construction, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology, Creative Writing, Applied Psychology, Biochemistry, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Technology & Logistics, Biomedical Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Social Work, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Environmental Sciences, Adult Nursing, English Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Nursing (General), Teacher Training, Clinical & Health Psychology, Developmental & Educational Psychology.

Only at Nottingham Trent 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

Nottingham Trent University
£17,950
University of Essex
£21,500

Nottingham Trent University is about £3,550 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Nottingham Trent University
£18,300
University of Essex
£23,880

Nottingham Trent University is about £5,580 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.

Nottingham Trent University

University of Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    84%Satisfaction81%

  • Economics

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Business Studies

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    86%Satisfaction83%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    85%Satisfaction84%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£16,500
    90%Satisfaction95%

  • Management

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    80%Satisfaction82%

Showing the 12 largest of 39 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Nottingham Trent University

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

Nottingham Trent University vs University of Essex: common questions

Is Nottingham Trent University or University of Essex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,950 a year at Nottingham Trent University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Nottingham Trent University is about £3,550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,300 a year at Nottingham Trent University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Nottingham Trent University is about £5,580 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 Nottingham Trent University and University of Essex?

Both universities teach 54 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, History, Computer Science, Economics, Design & Fashion, Mathematics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Finance & Actuarial Science and 42 more.

Is Nottingham Trent University or University of Essex better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from Nottingham Trent University, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Nottingham Trent University and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Nottingham Trent University or University of Essex offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Nottingham Trent University lists 462 courses.

What can you study at Nottingham Trent University but not at University of Essex?

Nottingham Trent University teaches 27 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Chemistry, Music, Physics, Animal Science, Education Studies, General Engineering, Architecture, Forensic Science and 19 more.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at Nottingham Trent University?

University of Essex teaches 20 subject areas that Nottingham Trent University does not, including Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Social Sciences (General), Ancient Languages, Biology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Welsh Studies, Genetics & Genomics and 12 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

N
Nottingham Trent University462 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses