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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.

T
The University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #35

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.

10/11

Edinburgh

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

1/11

Sussex

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

The University of Edinburgh leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sussex is ahead on satisfaction.

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Sussex at a glance

The University of Edinburgh and University of Sussex both teach 67 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Mathematics. The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £6,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, The University of Edinburgh is higher in 22 and University of Sussex in 10, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £38,000 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, against £30,500 from University of Sussex. Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sussex is higher in 22 and The University of Edinburgh in 9, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#35
QS World
#273
#29
THE World
#201
#17
Guardian UK
#31
1583
Established
1961
Yes
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.

The University of Edinburgh

University of Sussex

85.3%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83%
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

41.6%
25.3%

International

International student share

936
463

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

112
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.

Edinburgh

122 countries · 41.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.5%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.3%
  • 🇮🇳India5.4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.7%
  • 🇨🇦Canada2.4%
VS

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

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

Subjects

67 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.

The University of Edinburgh

University of Sussex

Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, History of Art & Design, Media & Film Studies, Music, Anthropology, Biomedical Sciences, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Human Geography & Environment, Chemistry, Ecology & Conservation, Education Studies, Genetics & Genomics, Social Policy & Public Policy, English Literature, Linguistics, Social Work, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical Specialities, International Development, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Animal Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Public Health & Epidemiology, Anatomy & Pathology, Cultural Studies, Social Sciences (General), Biology, General Engineering, Marketing, Zoology & Animal Biology, Ancient Languages, Accounting, Creative Writing, English Language, Film Production & Cinematography, Management, Physical Geography & Climate, Chemical Engineering, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Drama & Theatre, Health & Social Care, Applied Psychology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Computing & IT, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Software Engineering, Geography (General), Liberal Arts, Personal & Professional Development.

Only at The University of Edinburgh

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

The University of Edinburgh
£29,600
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £6,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

The University of Edinburgh
No data
University of Sussex
£23,500

We do not have reliable international fee data for The University of Edinburgh 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.

The University of Edinburgh

University of Sussex

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    74%Satisfaction78%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    81%Satisfaction93%

  • Physics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    85%Satisfaction88%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    82%Satisfaction90%

  • Business Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    80%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    81%Satisfaction87%

  • Philosophy

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Teacher Training

    £31,500Salary (3 years)No data
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    81%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 35 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

The University of Edinburgh

Asylum Seeker Scholarship

£21,000

Deadline: N/A

Education Beyond Borders postgraduate scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

Cameron Law Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Online Learning Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Rosedale OSSD University of Edinburgh Scholarship

£10,000

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

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Sussex: common questions

Is The University of Edinburgh or University of Sussex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £6,100 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 The University of Edinburgh and University of Sussex?

Both universities teach 67 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Theology & Religious Studies, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, History, Economics, Philosophy and 55 more.

Is The University of Edinburgh or University of Sussex better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, and £27,500 from University of Sussex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at The University of Edinburgh and 90% at University of Sussex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does The University of Edinburgh or University of Sussex offer more courses?

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sussex lists 463 courses.

What can you study at The University of Edinburgh but not at University of Sussex?

The University of Edinburgh teaches 49 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Medicine, French, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Classical Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Biological Sciences (General), Veterinary Medicine and 41 more.

What can you study at University of Sussex but not at The University of Edinburgh?

University of Sussex teaches 9 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including American & Comparative Studies, English Studies, Journalism, Games Design & Computer Animation, Welsh Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Human Resource Management, Information & Library Studies and 1 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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The University of Edinburgh936 courses · 112 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sussex463 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses