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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.

D
Durham University

Durham · QS World #85

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.

9/11

Durham

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

Sussex

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Durham University leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Sussex is ahead on employment, courses.

Durham University vs University of Sussex at a glance

Durham University and University of Sussex both teach 41 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Childhood & Youth Studies and Economics. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £7,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £7,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 21 and University of Sussex in 0. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £42,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £29,000 from University of Sussex. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 18 and University of Sussex in 5, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#85
QS World
#273
#175
THE World
#201
#6
Guardian UK
#31
1832
Established
1961
Yes
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Durham University

University of Sussex

90.7%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£43,800
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
25.3%

International

International student share

278
463

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

102
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.

Durham

86 countries · 32.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.4%
  • 🇮🇳India5.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.9%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.6%
VS

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

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

Subjects

41 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.

Durham University

University of Sussex

Also taught at both: Philosophy, Accounting, Business & Management (General), Chemistry, Human Geography & Environment, Biology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Music, English Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Education Studies, Management, Biochemistry, Marketing, Ancient Languages, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical Specialities, English Language, Physical Geography & Climate, English Literature, Social Policy & Public Policy, Social Sciences (General), Teacher Training, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Liberal Arts.

Only at Durham 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

Durham University
£31,000
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £7,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £7,000 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.

Durham University

University of Sussex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    87%Satisfaction78%

  • Law

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Psychology (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    91%Satisfaction85%

  • Mathematics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Business Studies

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Physics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Anthropology

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    96%Satisfaction85%

  • General Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    86%SatisfactionNo data

Showing the 12 largest of 25 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Durham University

Sir Harry Evans Global Fellowship

£53,333

Deadline: N/A

Durham Inspiring Excellence Scholarships - Undergraduate

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

The Global DBA Scholarships

£25,000

Deadline: Nov 2026

The Mary Ward Postgraduate Scholarship Fund

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

Global Grand Challenges Studentships

£20,780

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

Durham University vs University of Sussex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £7,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £7,000 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 Durham University and University of Sussex?

Both universities teach 41 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Childhood & Youth Studies, Economics, Computer Science, Law, Finance & Actuarial Science, Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Mathematics, Business Studies, Physics, Anthropology and 29 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £34,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £25,500 from University of Sussex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Durham University and 87% at University of Sussex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or University of Sussex offer more courses?

University of Sussex lists 463 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

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

Durham University teaches 13 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Archaeology, Classical Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Natural Sciences, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Asian Languages & Studies, Civil Engineering, Developmental & Educational Psychology and 5 more.

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

University of Sussex teaches 35 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Media & Film Studies, Biomedical Sciences, International Development, Social Work, American & Comparative Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, History of Art & Design, Journalism and 27 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

D
Durham University278 courses · 102 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sussex463 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses