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.
Glasgow
Colchester · QS World #438
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 7 datapoints
We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
3/7
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
scored higher in 3 categories
4/7
Essex
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Essex leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment.
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland vs University of Essex at a glance
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and University of Essex both teach 5 subject areas, the largest being Drama & Theatre, Management and Media & Film Studies. Royal Conservatoire of Scotland offers 72 courses across 8 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,920 a year at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £7,420 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,400 a year at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £4,520 a year cheaper.
Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 2 and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 0.
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 Conservatoire of Scotland
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 Conservatoire of Scotland
23 countries · 26% international
- 🇨🇳China26.6%
- 🇺🇸United States18.8%
- 🇺🇦Ukraine6.2%
- 🇦🇺Australia4.7%
- 🇮🇪Ireland4.7%
Essex
97 countries · 33.7% international
- 🇮🇳India21.2%
- 🇨🇳China11.7%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan6.1%
- 🇫🇷France5.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria4.4%
Subjects
5 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.
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
University of Essex
Drama & Theatre
12 coursesTypical fee £28,920 (UG)
26 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Management
4 coursesFee not available
13 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
Social Work
Teacher Training
Only at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
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 Conservatoire of Scotland
- £28,920
- University of Essex
- £21,500
University of Essex is about £7,420 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
- £28,400
- University of Essex
- £23,880
University of Essex is about £4,520 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 Conservatoire of Scotland
University of Essex
Drama & Theatre
No dataSalary (3 years)£16,50089%Satisfaction95%Media & Film Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)No data83%Satisfaction84%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveRoyal Conservatoire of Scotland
WM Mann Scholarship for Postgraduate Indonesian Students
75%
Deadline: N/A
Cowrie Scholarship Foundation
See details
Deadline: N/A
James McAvoy Drama Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
Pamella Dow Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
Pauline Knowles Scholarship
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
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland vs University of Essex: common questions
Is Royal Conservatoire of Scotland or University of Essex cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,920 a year at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and £21,500 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £7,420 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,400 a year at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and £23,880 at University of Essex: University of Essex is about £4,520 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 Conservatoire of Scotland and University of Essex?
Both universities teach 5 subject areas: Drama & Theatre, Management, Media & Film Studies, Social Work and Teacher Training.
Does Royal Conservatoire of Scotland or University of Essex offer more courses?
University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland lists 72 courses.
What can you study at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland but not at University of Essex?
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland teaches 3 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Music, Dance and Education Studies.
What can you study at University of Essex but not at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland?
University of Essex teaches 69 subject areas that Royal Conservatoire of Scotland does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science and 61 more.
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