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.

U
University College Birmingham

Birmingham

U
University of Sussex

Brighton · QS World #273

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 7 datapoints

We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/7

University College Birmingham

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

3/7

Sussex

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University College Birmingham leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (established, satisfaction, international, scholarship). University of Sussex is ahead on employment, graduate salary, courses.

University College Birmingham vs University of Sussex at a glance

University College Birmingham and University of Sussex both teach 19 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Politics & International Relations and Finance & Actuarial Science. University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at University College Birmingham and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University College Birmingham is about £10,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,000 a year at University College Birmingham and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University College Birmingham is about £6,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sussex is higher in 5 and University College Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £21,000 three years after graduating from University College Birmingham, against £32,500 from University of Sussex. Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 7 and University of Sussex in 0.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#273
—
THE World
#201
—
Guardian UK
#31
1957
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.

University College Birmingham

University of Sussex

88.3%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£25,600
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

77.8%
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

47%
25.3%

International

International student share

115
463

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

7
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.

University College Birmingham

26 countries · 47% international

  • 🌐Nepal48.9%
  • 🇮🇳India24.7%
  • 🇨🇳China11.5%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%
VS

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

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

Subjects

19 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.

University College Birmingham

University of Sussex

Also taught at both: Public Health & Epidemiology, Applied Psychology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Design & Fashion.

Only at University College Birmingham

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

University College Birmingham
£13,500
University of Sussex
£23,500

University College Birmingham is about £10,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University College Birmingham
£17,000
University of Sussex
£23,500

University College Birmingham is about £6,500 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.

University College Birmingham

University of Sussex

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    98%Satisfaction86%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£39,000
    87%Satisfaction78%

  • Business Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Marketing

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    85%Satisfaction84%

  • Education Studies

    £17,000Salary (3 years)No data
    98%Satisfaction92%

  • Software Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£37,000
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Design & Fashion

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    No dataSatisfactionNo data

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University College Birmingham

GREAT Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Vice-Chancellor's Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

Dean's Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

Early Action Scholarship

£4,500

Deadline: Jul 2026

Alumni Scholarship

25%

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

University College Birmingham vs University of Sussex: common questions

Is University College Birmingham or University of Sussex cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at University College Birmingham and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University College Birmingham is about £10,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,000 a year at University College Birmingham and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University College Birmingham is about £6,500 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 University College Birmingham and University of Sussex?

Both universities teach 19 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Politics & International Relations, Finance & Actuarial Science, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Marketing, Health & Social Care and 7 more.

Is University College Birmingham or University of Sussex better for Childhood & Youth Studies?

Childhood & Youth Studies graduates earn a median £20,500 three years after graduating from University College Birmingham, and £26,000 from University of Sussex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 98% at University College Birmingham and 86% at University of Sussex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University College Birmingham or University of Sussex offer more courses?

University of Sussex lists 463 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.

What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at University of Sussex?

University College Birmingham teaches 17 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Building & Construction, Food Science, Food Production & Technology, Planning & Housing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Adult Nursing and 9 more.

What can you study at University of Sussex but not at University College Birmingham?

University of Sussex teaches 57 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Economics, Physics, Mathematics, Law, Media & Film Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, History and 49 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University College Birmingham115 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sussex463 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses