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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.

L
Lancaster University

Lancaster · QS World #164

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.

8/11

Lancaster

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Sussex

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Lancaster University leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sussex is ahead on established, employment, international.

Lancaster University vs University of Sussex at a glance

Lancaster University and University of Sussex both teach 52 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Politics & International Relations and Business & Management (General). Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £5,180 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £800 a year cheaper.

Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sussex is higher in 14 and Lancaster University in 11, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Chemistry: £24,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £30,500 from University of Sussex. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 17 and University of Sussex in 8, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#273
#184
THE World
#201
#10
Guardian UK
#31
1964
Established
1961
No
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.

Lancaster University

University of Sussex

88.5%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
25.3%

International

International student share

526
463

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
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.

Lancaster

83 countries · 22.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China41.1%
  • 🇮🇳India9.8%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.9%
  • 🇪🇸Spain3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%
VS

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

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

Subjects

52 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.

Lancaster University

University of Sussex

Also taught at both: Human Geography & Environment, Psychology (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering, Business Studies, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, History, General Engineering, Accounting, Biochemistry, English Literature, English Language, Geography (General), Drama & Theatre, Ecology & Conservation, English Studies, Social Work, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Health & Social Care, Design & Fashion, Physical Geography & Climate, Zoology & Animal Biology, Clinical Specialities, Creative Writing, Cultural Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Management, Public Health & Epidemiology, Ancient Languages, Computing & IT, Social Policy & Public Policy, Theology & Religious Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology, Human Resource Management.

Only at Lancaster 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

Lancaster University
£28,680
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £5,180 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £800 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.

Lancaster University

University of Sussex

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    93%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    80%Satisfaction78%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    68%Satisfaction91%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Marketing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    90%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 30 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Lancaster University

India Scholarship – Postgraduate

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

LPDP Scholarship 2026

100%

Deadline: N/A

Lancaster Sanctuary Fellowship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Master's Scholarship for Black British Students

100%

Deadline: N/A

Fulgoni Scholarship

£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

Lancaster University vs University of Sussex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £5,180 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £800 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 Lancaster University and University of Sussex?

Both universities teach 52 subject areas: Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Physics, Economics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, Biomedical Sciences, Law, Media & Film Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 40 more.

Is Lancaster University or University of Sussex better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £30,000 from University of Sussex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Lancaster University and 93% at University of Sussex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of Sussex offer more courses?

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sussex lists 463 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 19 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Environmental Sciences, Operational Research, Pharmacology, Statistics, Fine Art, Natural Sciences, Biological Sciences (General), Architecture and 11 more.

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

University of Sussex teaches 24 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Music, Anthropology, Biology, International Development, American & Comparative Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, History of Art & Design, Journalism and 16 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

L
Lancaster University526 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sussex463 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses