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.
Birmingham · THE World #801
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.
2/8
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
scored higher in 2 categories
6/8
Essex
scored higher in 6 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Essex leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is ahead on established, employment.
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire vs University of Essex at a glance
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and University of Essex have one subject area in common, Drama & Theatre. Royal Birmingham Conservatoire offers 54 courses across 2 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £6,960 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £12,880 a year at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and £23,880 at University of Essex: Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is about £11,000 a year cheaper.
In Drama & Theatre, the one shared subject where both publish a graduate salary, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is higher. In Drama & Theatre, the one shared subject where both publish a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher.
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.
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
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.
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
69 countries · 15.9% international
- 🇮🇳India40.6%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan17.5%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria9.2%
- 🇨🇳China8.6%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%
Essex
97 countries · 33.7% international
- 🇮🇳India21.2%
- 🇨🇳China11.7%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan6.1%
- 🇫🇷France5.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria4.4%
Subjects
1 subject 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.
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
University of Essex
Drama & Theatre
3 coursesTypical fee £20,960 (UG)
26 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Only at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
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
- Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
- £28,460
- University of Essex
- £21,500
University of Essex is about £6,960 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
- £12,880
- University of Essex
- £23,880
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is about £11,000 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.
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
University of Essex
Drama & Theatre
£18,500Salary (3 years)£16,50093%Satisfaction95%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveRoyal Birmingham Conservatoire
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
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire vs University of Essex: common questions
Is Royal Birmingham Conservatoire or University of Essex cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £6,960 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £12,880 a year at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and £23,880 at University of Essex: Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is about £11,000 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 Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and University of Essex?
Both universities teach 1 subject area: Drama & Theatre.
Is Royal Birmingham Conservatoire or University of Essex better for Drama & Theatre?
Drama & Theatre graduates earn a median £18,500 three years after graduating from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and £16,500 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and 95% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Royal Birmingham Conservatoire or University of Essex offer more courses?
University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire lists 54 courses.
What can you study at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire but not at University of Essex?
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire teaches 1 subject area that University of Essex does not, including Music.
What can you study at University of Essex but not at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire?
University of Essex teaches 73 subject areas that Royal Birmingham Conservatoire does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science and 65 more.
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