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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.

I
Imperial College London

Kensington and Chelsea · QS World #2

U
University of Sussex

Brighton · QS World #273

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

10/12

Imperial College London

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

2/12

Sussex

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 10 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Sussex is ahead on employment, courses.

Imperial College London vs University of Sussex at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Sussex both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £1,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £16,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 12 and University of Sussex in 0. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £65,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £37,000 from University of Sussex. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 6 and University of Sussex in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#273
#8
THE World
#201
#5
Guardian UK
#31
1907
Established
1961
Yes
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.

Imperial College London

University of Sussex

88.9%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
25.3%

International

International student share

254
463

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
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.

Imperial College London

106 countries · 52.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China41%
  • 🇮🇳India5.8%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.1%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore3.6%
VS

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

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

Subjects

30 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.

Imperial College London

University of Sussex

Also taught at both: Ecology & Conservation, Mechanical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical Specialities, Design & Fashion, General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Chemical Engineering, Anatomy & Pathology, Management, Genetics & Genomics, Software Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate.

Only at Imperial College 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

Imperial College London
£24,600
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £1,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £16,400 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.

Imperial College London

University of Sussex

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    97%Satisfaction78%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    76%Satisfaction88%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    82%Satisfaction91%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    86%Satisfaction81%

  • Astronomy & Astrophysics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    87%Satisfaction85%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    93%Satisfaction81%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    91%Satisfaction79%

  • General Engineering

    £46,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    90%SatisfactionNo data

  • Software Engineering

    £65,000Salary (3 years)£37,000
    97%Satisfaction83%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Imperial College London

Engineering Sainsbury Management Fellows Scholarship

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

Science Sainsbury Management Fellows Scholarship

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

J.P. Morgan Scholarship in Quantitative Finance

£45,100

Deadline: May 2026

Dean's Impact Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

W L "Bill" Byrnes Global Scholarship

£30,000

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

Imperial College London vs University of Sussex: common questions

Is Imperial College London or University of Sussex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £1,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £16,400 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 Imperial College London and University of Sussex?

Both universities teach 30 subject areas: Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Politics & International Relations, Finance & Actuarial Science, Biology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Economics, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Business & Management (General) and 18 more.

Is Imperial College London or University of Sussex better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £39,000 from University of Sussex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Imperial College London and 78% at University of Sussex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Imperial College London or University of Sussex offer more courses?

University of Sussex lists 463 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

What can you study at Imperial College London but not at University of Sussex?

Imperial College London teaches 12 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Statistics, Biotechnology, Building & Construction, Materials Engineering, Aerospace Engineering and 4 more.

What can you study at University of Sussex but not at Imperial College London?

University of Sussex teaches 46 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Psychology (General), Media & Film Studies, History, Music, Anthropology and 38 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

I
Imperial College London254 courses · 90 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sussex463 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses