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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.

C
Cardiff University

Cardiff · QS World #179

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.

5/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

5/10

Sussex

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University and University of Sussex are evenly matched: each leads in 5 of 10 categories where both have data. Cardiff University is ahead on ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, graduate salary; University of Sussex on ranking, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs University of Sussex at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Sussex both teach 54 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Childhood & Youth Studies and Mathematics. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £7,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £2,450 a year cheaper.

Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sussex is higher in 13 and Cardiff University in 10, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £39,000 from University of Sussex. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sussex is higher in 13 and Cardiff University in 10, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#273
#201
THE World
#201
#34
Guardian UK
#31
1883
Established
1961
Yes
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.

Cardiff University

University of Sussex

86.3%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
25.3%

International

International student share

362
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.

Cardiff

89 countries · 16% international

  • 🇨🇳China22.8%
  • 🇮🇳India14.5%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia7.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
VS

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

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

Subjects

54 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.

Cardiff University

University of Sussex

Also taught at both: Journalism, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, Music, Media & Film Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, History, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Philosophy, Welsh Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General), Accounting, Clinical Specialities, General Engineering, Social Work, Ancient Languages, English Studies, Marketing, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, English Literature, Computing & IT, English Language, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Creative Writing, Education Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Health & Social Care, Public Health & Epidemiology, Theology & Religious Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Human Resource Management, Linguistics, Applied Psychology, Design & Fashion, Geography (General), Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at Cardiff 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

Cardiff University
£30,700
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £7,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £2,450 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.

Cardiff University

University of Sussex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    84%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    70%Satisfaction78%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    81%Satisfaction90%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    94%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    80%Satisfaction87%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    73%Satisfaction79%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    82%Satisfaction93%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction85%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

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

Cardiff University vs University of Sussex: common questions

Is Cardiff University or University of Sussex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £7,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £2,450 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 Cardiff University and University of Sussex?

Both universities teach 54 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Childhood & Youth Studies, Mathematics, Computer Science, Law, Physics, Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Human Geography & Environment and 42 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Sussex better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £27,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £25,500 from University of Sussex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Cardiff University and 87% at University of Sussex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Sussex offer more courses?

University of Sussex lists 463 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at University of Sussex?

Cardiff University teaches 32 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Biological Sciences (General), Architecture, Biomedical Engineering, Planning & Housing, Archaeology, Dentistry and 24 more.

What can you study at University of Sussex but not at Cardiff University?

University of Sussex teaches 22 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Anthropology, Biochemistry, Biology, International Development, American & Comparative Studies, History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, Genetics & Genomics and 14 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sussex463 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses