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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.

A
Aston University, Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #416

U
University of Sussex

Brighton · QS World #273

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.

4/11

Aston

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Sussex

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sussex leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). Aston University, Birmingham is ahead on TEF, established, employment, graduate salary.

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Sussex at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and University of Sussex both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Business Studies and Economics. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £23,500 at University of Sussex: Aston University, Birmingham is about £920 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £500 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sussex is higher in 9 and Aston University, Birmingham in 8, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £39,000 from University of Sussex. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sussex is higher in 10 and Aston University, Birmingham in 7, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#273
#401
THE World
#201
#39
Guardian UK
#31
1895
Established
1961
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Aston University, Birmingham

University of Sussex

85.2%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
25.3%

International

International student share

169
463

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
2

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.

Aston

67 countries · 22.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India40.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.9%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.2%
  • 🇻🇳Vietnam4%
VS

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

  • 🇨🇳China21.6%
  • 🇮🇳India7.9%
  • 🇨🇦Canada4.7%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey4.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.4%

Subjects

35 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.

Aston University, Birmingham

University of Sussex

Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, General Engineering, Accounting, Chemical Engineering, English Language, English Studies, Software Engineering, Human Resource Management, Public Health & Epidemiology, Health & Social Care, Linguistics, Clinical & Health Psychology, Design & Fashion, Management, Personal & Professional Development, Social Sciences (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science.

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

Only at University of Sussex

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

Aston University, Birmingham
£22,580
University of Sussex
£23,500

Aston University, Birmingham is about £920 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £500 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.

Aston University, Birmingham

University of Sussex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    81%Satisfaction87%

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    82%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    95%Satisfaction87%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    85%Satisfaction78%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction85%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    64%Satisfaction91%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£25,500
    95%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

University of Sussex

Chancellor's International Scholarships

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Sussex Bursary

£1,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Sussex: common questions

Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Sussex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £23,500 at University of Sussex: Aston University, Birmingham is about £920 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £500 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 Aston University, Birmingham and University of Sussex?

Both universities teach 35 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Business Studies, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Sociology & Criminology, Mathematics, Computer Science, Psychology (General), Law, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences and 23 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Sussex better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £25,500 from University of Sussex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Aston University, Birmingham and 87% at University of Sussex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Aston University, Birmingham or University of Sussex offer more courses?

University of Sussex lists 463 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at University of Sussex?

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 16 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Building & Construction, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Information Systems & Data Science, Technology & Logistics, Aerospace Engineering, Adult Nursing, Biological Sciences (General) and 8 more.

What can you study at University of Sussex but not at Aston University, Birmingham?

University of Sussex teaches 41 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Physics, Music, Anthropology, Philosophy, Biology, Human Geography & Environment, International Development and 33 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

A
Aston University, Birmingham169 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sussex463 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses