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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.

B
Birkbeck, University of London

London · QS World #354

U
University of Sussex

Brighton · QS World #273

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.

2/10

Birkbeck

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Sussex

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sussex leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on established, scholarship.

Birkbeck, University of London vs University of Sussex at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Sussex both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology and Law. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £23,500 at University of Sussex: Birkbeck, University of London is about £5,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £23,500 at University of Sussex: Birkbeck, University of London is about £2,650 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sussex is higher in 12 and Birkbeck, University of London in 9, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Creative Writing: £31,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £23,000 from University of Sussex. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 11 and University of Sussex in 11, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#273
#301
THE World
#201
—
Guardian UK
#31
1823
Established
1961
No
Russell Group
No
Bronze
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Birkbeck, University of London

University of Sussex

85.1%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
25.3%

International

International student share

361
463

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
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.

Birkbeck

60 countries · 12% international

  • 🇺🇸United States10.8%
  • 🇨🇳China9.7%
  • 🇮🇳India8.6%
  • 🇪🇸Spain4.8%
  • 🇮🇹Italy4.3%
VS

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

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

Subjects

47 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.

Birkbeck, University of London

University of Sussex

Also taught at both: Philosophy, Accounting, Ancient Languages, Journalism, Creative Writing, Management, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, International Development, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Biology, Chemistry, Drama & Theatre, Social Sciences (General), Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Linguistics, English Literature, Genetics & Genomics, Information & Library Studies, Liberal Arts, Applied Psychology, Software Engineering, Teacher Training, Personal & Professional Development, Social Policy & Public Policy, Clinical & Health Psychology, Computing & IT, Design & Fashion, Human Resource Management.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

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

Birkbeck, University of London
£18,500
University of Sussex
£23,500

Birkbeck, University of London is about £5,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Sussex
£23,500

Birkbeck, University of London is about £2,650 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.

Birkbeck, University of London

University of Sussex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    96%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    94%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    72%Satisfaction78%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    78%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    95%Satisfaction90%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    84%Satisfaction85%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    98%Satisfaction84%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Birkbeck, University of London

Bonnart Trust Sanctuary Scholarship

£18,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Cyril Taylor Scholarships

£15,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Breakspear scholarship

£12,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

MA History of Art scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Legal & General Sustainable Leaders Bursary

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

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

Birkbeck, University of London vs University of Sussex: common questions

Is Birkbeck, University of London or University of Sussex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £23,500 at University of Sussex: Birkbeck, University of London is about £5,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £23,500 at University of Sussex: Birkbeck, University of London is about £2,650 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 Birkbeck, University of London and University of Sussex?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Business & Management (General), Economics, Computer Science, Media & Film Studies, Mathematics, Finance & Actuarial Science, History, Psychology (General), Business Studies and 35 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or University of Sussex better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £25,500 from University of Sussex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 96% at Birkbeck, University of London and 87% at University of Sussex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Birkbeck, University of London or University of Sussex offer more courses?

University of Sussex lists 463 courses on CourseOptions and Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses.

What can you study at Birkbeck, University of London but not at University of Sussex?

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 22 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Classical Studies, Archaeology, Asian Languages & Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Healthcare Science, GIS & Remote Sensing, Statistics and 14 more.

What can you study at University of Sussex but not at Birkbeck, University of London?

University of Sussex teaches 29 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Physics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Music, Anthropology and 21 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

B
Birkbeck, University of London361 courses · 16 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sussex463 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses