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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.

S
Swansea University

Swansea · QS World #322

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

Swansea

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, international, graduate salary). Swansea University is ahead on established, courses, scholarship.

Swansea University vs University of Sussex at a glance

Swansea University and University of Sussex both teach 63 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and Computer Science. Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £23,500 at University of Sussex: Swansea University is about £1,950 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £23,500 at University of Sussex: Swansea University is about £550 a year cheaper.

Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sussex is higher in 33 and Swansea University in 2. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £31,500 three years after graduating from Swansea University, against £39,000 from University of Sussex. Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sussex is higher in 17 and Swansea University in 16, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#322
QS World
#273
#301
THE World
#201
#32
Guardian UK
#31
1920
Established
1961
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Swansea University

University of Sussex

86.1%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.5%
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.1%
25.3%

International

International student share

916
463

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
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.

Swansea

73 countries · 14.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India25.4%
  • 🇨🇳China12.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.2%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.9%
VS

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

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

Subjects

63 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.

Swansea University

University of Sussex

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Teacher Training, American & Comparative Studies, Biochemistry, Genetics & Genomics, Mechanical Engineering, Education Studies, Biology, General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Philosophy, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Health & Social Care, Accounting, English Literature, English Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Marketing, Social Work, Physical Geography & Climate, Astronomy & Astrophysics, English Language, Journalism, Social Policy & Public Policy, Ecology & Conservation, Welsh Studies, International Development, Linguistics, Zoology & Animal Biology, Creative Writing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical Specialities, Public Health & Epidemiology, Software Engineering, Computing & IT, Human Resource Management, Information & Library Studies, Social Sciences (General), Anatomy & Pathology, Design & Fashion, Management, Theology & Religious Studies, Applied Psychology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Geography (General).

Only at Swansea 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

Swansea University
£21,550
University of Sussex
£23,500

Swansea University is about £1,950 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Swansea University
£22,950
University of Sussex
£23,500

Swansea University is about £550 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.

Swansea University

University of Sussex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    82%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    84%Satisfaction78%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

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

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    75%Satisfaction86%

  • Mathematics

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    86%Satisfaction93%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Physics

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Business Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    82%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    69%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 37 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Swansea University

History and Heritage Studies: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with Museum Wales (RS950)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with The National Archives (RS948)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship in History with Museum Wales (RS949)

See details

Deadline: N/A

PhD Studentship in Sustainable Fusion Steels: Whole Lifecycle Design of Tokamak Vacuum Vessel Steels (RS964)

See details

Deadline: N/A

Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarships 2025/26

See details

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

Swansea University vs University of Sussex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £23,500 at University of Sussex: Swansea University is about £1,950 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £23,500 at University of Sussex: Swansea University is about £550 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 Swansea University and University of Sussex?

Both universities teach 63 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Economics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Mathematics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Physics, History, Business Studies and 51 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, and £25,500 from University of Sussex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Swansea University and 87% at University of Sussex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Swansea University or University of Sussex offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sussex lists 463 courses.

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

Swansea University teaches 34 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Civil Engineering, Medical Sciences, Classical Studies, Aerospace Engineering, Archaeology, Biomedical Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Environmental Sciences and 26 more.

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

University of Sussex teaches 13 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Music, Anthropology, History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, Film Production & Cinematography, Cultural Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Ancient Languages and 5 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

S
Swansea University916 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sussex463 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses