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.
Hartlepool
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.
2/7
Northern School of Art
scored higher in 2 categories
5/7
Essex
scored higher in 5 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Essex leads in 5 of 7 categories where both have data (satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). The Northern School of Art is ahead on TEF, established.
The Northern School of Art vs University of Essex at a glance
The Northern School of Art and University of Essex both teach 5 subject areas, the largest being History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre and Design & Fashion. The Northern School of Art offers 18 courses across 6 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at The Northern School of Art and £21,500 at University of Essex: The Northern School of Art is about £8,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at The Northern School of Art and £23,880 at University of Essex: The Northern School of Art is about £10,380 a year cheaper.
Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 2 and The Northern School of Art in 0. The widest gap is in Film Production & Cinematography: £15,500 three years after graduating from The Northern School of Art, against £17,000 from University of Essex. Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 1 and The Northern School of Art in 0, 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.
The Northern School of Art
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.
Northern School of Art
No published data on international students
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.
The Northern School of Art
University of Essex
History of Art & Design
1 courseTypical fee £13,500 (PG)
33 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Drama & Theatre
5 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
26 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Design & Fashion
Film Production & Cinematography
Creative Arts (General)
Only at The Northern School of Art
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
- The Northern School of Art
- £13,500
- University of Essex
- £21,500
The Northern School of Art is about £8,000 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- The Northern School of Art
- £13,500
- University of Essex
- £23,880
The Northern School of Art is about £10,380 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.
The Northern School of Art
University of Essex
Drama & Theatre
£15,500Salary (3 years)£16,50095%Satisfaction95%Film Production & Cinematography
£15,500Salary (3 years)£17,00069%Satisfaction86%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveThe Northern School of Art
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
The Northern School of Art vs University of Essex: common questions
Is The Northern School of Art or University of Essex cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at The Northern School of Art and £21,500 at University of Essex: The Northern School of Art is about £8,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at The Northern School of Art and £23,880 at University of Essex: The Northern School of Art is about £10,380 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 The Northern School of Art and University of Essex?
Both universities teach 5 subject areas: History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography and Creative Arts (General).
Is The Northern School of Art or University of Essex better for Drama & Theatre?
Drama & Theatre graduates earn a median £15,500 three years after graduating from The Northern School of Art, and £16,500 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at The Northern School of Art and 95% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does The Northern School of Art or University of Essex offer more courses?
University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and The Northern School of Art lists 18 courses.
What can you study at The Northern School of Art but not at University of Essex?
The Northern School of Art teaches 1 subject area that University of Essex does not, including Fine Art.
What can you study at University of Essex but not at The Northern School of Art?
University of Essex teaches 69 subject areas that The Northern School of Art does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Philosophy, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 61 more.
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