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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 the Arts London

London · QS World #851

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

9/11

Essex

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

Arts London

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Essex leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the Arts London is ahead on employment, international.

University of Essex vs University of the Arts London at a glance

University of Essex and University of the Arts London both teach 17 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Economics and Drama & Theatre. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of the Arts London offers 183 courses across 29 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £30,890 at University of the Arts London: University of Essex is about £9,390 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £30,890 at University of the Arts London: University of Essex is about £7,010 a year cheaper.

Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 4 and University of the Arts London in 2. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £26,500 from University of the Arts London. Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Essex is higher in 4 and University of the Arts London in 2.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#851
#301
THE World
#1501
#44
Guardian UK
#52
1964
Established
1986
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Bronze

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 the Arts London

87.2%
83%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£28,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
80.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
54%

International

International student share

748
183

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

Arts London

84 countries · 54% international

  • 🇨🇳China55.7%
  • 🇮🇳India6%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.4%
  • 🌐Korea (South)3.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.3%

Subjects

17 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 the Arts London

Also taught at both: Cultural Studies, Performing Arts (General).

Only at University of Essex

Only at University of the Arts London

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 the Arts London
£30,890

University of Essex is about £9,390 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of the Arts London
£30,890

University of Essex is about £7,010 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 the Arts London

  • Drama & Theatre

    £16,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    95%Satisfaction76%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    81%Satisfaction80%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    86%Satisfaction80%

  • Journalism

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,000
    78%Satisfaction86%

  • Management

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    82%SatisfactionNo data

  • Marketing

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    75%Satisfaction79%

  • Media & Film Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction80%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    80%SatisfactionNo data

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 the Arts London

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Essex vs University of the Arts London: common questions

Is University of Essex or University of the Arts London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £30,890 at University of the Arts London: University of Essex is about £9,390 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £30,890 at University of the Arts London: University of Essex is about £7,010 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 the Arts London?

Both universities teach 17 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Economics, Drama & Theatre, Computer Science, Psychology (General), Film Production & Cinematography, Journalism, Business Studies, Management, Marketing, Business & Management (General), Creative Writing and 5 more.

Is University of Essex or University of the Arts London better for Drama & Theatre?

Drama & Theatre graduates earn a median £16,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £20,500 from University of the Arts London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at University of Essex and 76% at University of the Arts London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Essex or University of the Arts London offer more courses?

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of the Arts London lists 183 courses.

What can you study at University of Essex but not at University of the Arts London?

University of Essex teaches 57 subject areas that University of the Arts London does not, including Politics & International Relations, History, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science and 49 more.

What can you study at University of the Arts London but not at University of Essex?

University of the Arts London teaches 12 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Music, Fine Art, Applied Computing, Games Design & Computer Animation, Architecture, Public Relations, Computing & IT, Crafts & Applied Arts and 4 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 the Arts London183 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses