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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
Birmingham City University

Birmingham · QS World #1001

U
University of Sussex

Brighton · QS World #273

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 3 datapoints

We looked at 3 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/3

Birmingham City

scored higher in 1 category

VS

2/3

Sussex

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sussex leads in 2 of 3 categories where both have data (ranking, courses). Birmingham City University is ahead on scholarship.

Birmingham City University vs University of Sussex at a glance

Birmingham City University and University of Sussex both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science and Politics & International Relations. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £23,500 at University of Sussex: Birmingham City University is about £4,930 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sussex is higher in 23 and Birmingham City University in 2. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £23,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £39,000 from University of Sussex. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birmingham City University is higher in 12 and University of Sussex in 12, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#273
—
THE World
#201
—
Guardian UK
#31
N/A
Established
1961
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Birmingham City University

University of Sussex

No data
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
25.3%

International

International student share

284
463

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
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.

Birmingham City

No published data on international students

    VS

    Sussex

    115 countries · 25.3% international

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

    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.

    Birmingham City University

    University of Sussex

    Also taught at both: Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Music, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Games Design & Computer Animation, Journalism, Social Work, Health & Social Care, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, English Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Clinical Specialities, Drama & Theatre, Education Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Creative Writing, English Language, Teacher Training, Applied Psychology, Human Resource Management, Management, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Literature.

    Only at Birmingham City University

    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

    Birmingham City University
    £18,570
    University of Sussex
    £23,500

    Birmingham City University is about £4,930 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    University of Sussex
    £23,500

    We do not have reliable international fee data for Birmingham City University yet.

    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.

    Birmingham City University

    University of Sussex

    • Childhood & Youth Studies

      £18,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
      84%Satisfaction86%

    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
      78%Satisfaction78%

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
      89%Satisfaction90%

    • Finance & Actuarial Science

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
      80%Satisfaction86%

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
      80%Satisfaction90%

    • Business Studies

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
      85%Satisfaction84%

    • Design & Fashion

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
      92%SatisfactionNo data

    • Economics

      £24,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
      77%Satisfaction87%

    • Marketing

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
      92%Satisfaction84%

    • Media & Film Studies

      £21,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
      87%Satisfaction84%

    • Psychology (General)

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
      79%Satisfaction85%

    • Biomedical Sciences

      £31,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
      86%Satisfaction86%

    Showing the 12 largest of 27 shared subjects with published outcomes.

    Scholarships for International Students

    Exclusive

    Birmingham City University

    Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Millennium Point Scholarship

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Scott Trust Bursary

    £7,415

    Deadline: N/A

    Santander Scholarship

    £2,000

    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

    Birmingham City University vs University of Sussex: common questions

    Is Birmingham City University or University of Sussex cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £23,500 at University of Sussex: Birmingham City University is about £4,930 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 Birmingham City University and University of Sussex?

    Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Law, Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Economics, Marketing, Media & Film Studies, Business & Management (General) and 30 more.

    Is Birmingham City University or University of Sussex better for Childhood & Youth Studies?

    Childhood & Youth Studies graduates earn a median £18,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £26,000 from University of Sussex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Birmingham City University and 86% at University of Sussex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Birmingham City University or University of Sussex offer more courses?

    University of Sussex lists 463 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

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

    Birmingham City University teaches 26 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Nursing (General), Building & Construction, Civil Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Architecture, Fine Art, Community & Specialist Nursing, Crafts & Applied Arts and 18 more.

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

    University of Sussex teaches 34 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including Physics, History, Anthropology, Philosophy, Biology, Human Geography & Environment, International Development, American & Comparative Studies and 26 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

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

    B
    Birmingham City University284 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
    U
    University of Sussex463 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses