Skip to main content

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.

S
SOAS University of London

London · QS World #458

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.

3/10

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Sussex

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sussex leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). SOAS University of London is ahead on established, international, scholarship.

SOAS University of London vs University of Sussex at a glance

SOAS University of London and University of Sussex both teach 23 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies and Anthropology. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £280 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £1,820 a year cheaper.

Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 9 and University of Sussex in 2. The widest gap is in Politics & International Relations: £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £25,500 from University of Sussex. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, SOAS University of London is higher in 6 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.

#458
QS World
#273
#401
THE World
#201
#86
Guardian UK
#31
1916
Established
1961
No
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.

SOAS University of London

University of Sussex

84.1%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
25.3%

International

International student share

296
463

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
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.

SOAS University of London

67 countries · 25.7% international

  • 🇨🇳China10.9%
  • 🇮🇳India10.6%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.6%
  • 🇫🇷France3.6%
VS

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

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

Subjects

23 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.

SOAS University of London

University of Sussex

Also taught at both: Accounting, Theology & Religious Studies, Linguistics, Cultural Studies, Management, Social Sciences (General), Social Policy & Public Policy, Liberal Arts.

Only at SOAS University of 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

SOAS University of London
£23,780
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £280 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £1,820 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.

SOAS University of London

University of Sussex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Anthropology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    94%Satisfaction85%

  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    77%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Music

    No dataSalary (3 years)£22,000
    87%Satisfaction85%

  • History

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

  • History of Art & Design

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    97%Satisfaction93%

  • International Development

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    83%Satisfaction90%

  • Philosophy

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Accounting

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    73%Satisfaction82%

  • Social Sciences (General)

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

Showing the 12 largest of 13 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

SOAS University of London

SOAS International Academic Excellence Scholarship

£20,000

Deadline: May 2026

SOAS Sustainable Development Goal Scholarship

£15,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

SOAS Academic Excellence Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: May 2026

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

SOAS University of London vs University of Sussex: common questions

Is SOAS University of London or University of Sussex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £280 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £1,820 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 SOAS University of London and University of Sussex?

Both universities teach 23 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, Anthropology, Law, Economics, Ancient Languages, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Music, History, History of Art & Design and 11 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £25,500 from University of Sussex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at SOAS University of London and 87% at University of Sussex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does SOAS University of London or University of Sussex offer more courses?

University of Sussex lists 463 courses on CourseOptions and SOAS University of London lists 296 courses.

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

SOAS University of London teaches 6 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Creative Arts (General), Civil Engineering, Archaeology and Biological Sciences (General).

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

University of Sussex teaches 53 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biomedical Sciences and 45 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

S
SOAS University of London296 courses · 27 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sussex463 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses