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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.

O
Open University

None · THE World #801

U
University of Sussex

Brighton · QS World #273

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/9

Open

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

7/9

Sussex

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sussex leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Open University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction.

Open University vs University of Sussex at a glance

Open University and University of Sussex both teach 50 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Childhood & Youth Studies and Business & Management (General). Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Open University is higher in 15 and University of Sussex in 11, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in General Engineering: £43,500 three years after graduating from Open University, against £32,000 from University of Sussex. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 13 and University of Sussex in 6, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#273
#801
THE World
#201
—
Guardian UK
#31
1969
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.

Open University

University of Sussex

89.8%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
25.3%

International

International student share

337
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.

Open

25 countries · 0.2% international

  • 🇩🇪Germany8.9%
  • 🌐Cyprus (European Union)6.7%
  • 🇫🇷France6.7%
  • 🇨🇳China4.4%
  • 🇮🇳India4.4%
VS

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

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

Subjects

50 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.

Open University

University of Sussex

Also taught at both: Education Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Music, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Sciences, Biology, English Language, International Development, History of Art & Design, Accounting, Chemistry, Computing & IT, English Studies, Health & Social Care, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Software Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Linguistics, Physical Geography & Climate, Public Health & Epidemiology, Ancient Languages, Creative Writing, Design & Fashion, English Literature, Human Resource Management, Management, Teacher Training, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Geography (General), Social Policy & Public Policy, Theology & Religious Studies, Applied Psychology, Information & Library Studies, Personal & Professional Development.

Only at Open 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

Open University
No data
University of Sussex
£23,500

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

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
University of Sussex
£23,500

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open 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.

Open University

University of Sussex

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    91%Satisfaction78%

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction90%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    93%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Physics

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    98%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • Economics

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    No dataSatisfaction86%

  • Social Work

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    93%Satisfaction94%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open 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

Open University vs University of Sussex: common questions

What subjects can you study at both Open University and University of Sussex?

Both universities teach 50 subject areas: Computer Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Law, Politics & International Relations, History, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology (General), Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science and 38 more.

Is Open University or University of Sussex better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Open University, and £39,000 from University of Sussex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at Open University and 78% at University of Sussex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or University of Sussex offer more courses?

University of Sussex lists 463 courses on CourseOptions and Open University lists 337 courses.

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

Open University teaches 18 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Humanities, Combined & General Studies, Environmental Sciences, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Classical Studies, Natural Sciences, Office Administration, Statistics and 10 more.

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

University of Sussex teaches 26 subject areas that Open University does not, including Business Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Anthropology, Biochemistry, Marketing, American & Comparative Studies and 18 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

O
Open University337 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sussex463 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses