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.
Farnham
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.
1/7
University for the Creative Arts
scored higher in 1 category
6/7
Essex
scored higher in 6 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Essex leads in 6 of 7 categories where both have data (satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University for the Creative Arts is ahead on established.
University for the Creative Arts vs University of Essex at a glance
University for the Creative Arts and University of Essex both teach 7 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Drama & Theatre and Computer Science. University for the Creative Arts offers 194 courses across 14 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University for the Creative Arts and £21,500 at University of Essex: University for the Creative Arts is about £4,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,020 a year at University for the Creative Arts and £23,880 at University of Essex: University for the Creative Arts is about £5,860 a year cheaper.
Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University for the Creative Arts is higher in 1 and University of Essex in 1. The widest gap is in Film Production & Cinematography: £20,000 three years after graduating from University for the Creative Arts, against £17,000 from University of Essex. Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 4 and University for the Creative Arts in 1.
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.
University for the Creative 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.
University for the Creative Arts
56 countries · 14.6% international
- 🇨🇳China26%
- 🇮🇳India21.5%
- 🌐Nepal15.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria3.8%
- 🌐Sri Lanka3.2%
Essex
97 countries · 33.7% international
- 🇮🇳India21.2%
- 🇨🇳China11.7%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan6.1%
- 🇫🇷France5.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria4.4%
Subjects
7 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.
University for the Creative Arts
University of Essex
Design & Fashion
69 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £23,880 (PG)
Drama & Theatre
9 coursesTypical fee £17,230 (UG)
26 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Computer Science
7 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
26 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Film Production & Cinematography
29 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
Business Studies
13 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
18 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Marketing
8 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £22,600 (UG)
Media & Film Studies
Only at University for the Creative 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
- University for the Creative Arts
- £17,500
- University of Essex
- £21,500
University for the Creative Arts is about £4,000 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University for the Creative Arts
- £18,020
- University of Essex
- £23,880
University for the Creative Arts is about £5,860 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.
University for the Creative Arts
University of Essex
Drama & Theatre
£16,000Salary (3 years)£16,50091%Satisfaction95%Computer Science
No dataSalary (3 years)£33,50088%Satisfaction81%Film Production & Cinematography
£20,000Salary (3 years)£17,00084%Satisfaction86%Business Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)£27,00059%Satisfaction83%Marketing
No dataSalary (3 years)£27,00068%Satisfaction75%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity for the Creative Arts
2026 Venice Art Biennale Fellowship
£3,300
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
University for the Creative Arts vs University of Essex: common questions
Is University for the Creative Arts or University of Essex cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University for the Creative Arts and £21,500 at University of Essex: University for the Creative Arts is about £4,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,020 a year at University for the Creative Arts and £23,880 at University of Essex: University for the Creative Arts is about £5,860 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 University for the Creative Arts and University of Essex?
Both universities teach 7 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Drama & Theatre, Computer Science, Film Production & Cinematography, Business Studies, Marketing and Media & Film Studies.
Is University for the Creative Arts or University of Essex better for Drama & Theatre?
Drama & Theatre graduates earn a median £16,000 three years after graduating from University for the Creative Arts, and £16,500 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at University for the Creative Arts and 95% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University for the Creative Arts or University of Essex offer more courses?
University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University for the Creative Arts lists 194 courses.
What can you study at University for the Creative Arts but not at University of Essex?
University for the Creative Arts teaches 7 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Fine Art, Crafts & Applied Arts, Architecture, Applied Computing, Music and Software Engineering.
What can you study at University of Essex but not at University for the Creative Arts?
University of Essex teaches 67 subject areas that University for the Creative Arts does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Economics, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 59 more.
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