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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.

U
University of Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

U
University of Northampton

Northampton · QS World #1201

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.

9/10

Essex

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

1/10

Northampton

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Northampton is ahead on employment.

University of Essex vs University of Northampton at a glance

University of Essex and University of Northampton both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Computer Science. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Northampton offers 221 courses across 60 subject areas.

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £19,000 at University of Northampton: University of Northampton is about £4,880 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 21 and University of Northampton in 6, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £33,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £23,500 from University of Northampton. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Northampton is higher in 18 and University of Essex in 11, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#1201
#301
THE World
#1501
#44
Guardian UK
#93
1964
Established
1975
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

University of Essex

University of Northampton

87.2%
86%

Satisfaction

Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)

£31,800
£29,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
82.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
16.4%

International

International student share

748
221

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
0

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.

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

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

Northampton

35 countries · 16.4% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan27%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria18.2%
  • 🇮🇳India14.2%
  • 🌐Nepal8.3%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana4.1%

Subjects

42 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 of Essex

University of Northampton

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Applied Psychology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Film Production & Cinematography, Human Resource Management, Media & Film Studies, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, English Studies, Environmental Sciences, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Adult Nursing, Health & Social Care, Social Work, Clinical & Health Psychology, Nursing (General), Physical Geography & Climate, Teacher Training, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of Northampton

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 of Essex
£21,500
University of Northampton
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Northampton yet.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Northampton
£19,000

University of Northampton is about £4,880 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 of Essex

University of Northampton

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    81%Satisfaction75%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction81%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    87%Satisfaction99%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    77%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    84%Satisfaction72%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £16,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    95%Satisfaction98%

  • Accounting

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    78%Satisfaction88%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    No dataSatisfaction80%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    83%Satisfaction95%

  • Journalism

    No dataSalary (3 years)£20,500
    78%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 32 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

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 →

University of Northampton

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of Northampton: common questions

Is University of Essex or University of Northampton cheaper for international students?

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £19,000 at University of Northampton: University of Northampton is about £4,880 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 of Essex and University of Northampton?

Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Computer Science, Law, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Drama & Theatre, Accounting, Business & Management (General), Business Studies and 30 more.

Is University of Essex or University of Northampton better for History?

History graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £22,500 from University of Northampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at University of Essex and 93% at University of Northampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Essex or University of Northampton offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Northampton lists 221 courses.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at University of Northampton?

University of Essex teaches 32 subject areas that University of Northampton does not, including Economics, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Mathematics, English Literature, Linguistics, Management, Ecology & Conservation and 24 more.

What can you study at University of Northampton but not at University of Essex?

University of Northampton teaches 18 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Education Studies, Music, Fine Art, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Business Information Systems and 10 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Northampton221 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses