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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.

U
University of Brighton

Brighton · QS World #901

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

Brighton

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, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Brighton is ahead on established, employment, scholarship.

University of Brighton vs University of Sussex at a glance

University of Brighton and University of Sussex both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Politics & International Relations and Computer Science. University of Brighton offers 255 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,250 a year at University of Brighton and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Brighton is about £6,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,790 a year at University of Brighton and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Brighton is about £4,710 a year cheaper.

Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sussex is higher in 23 and University of Brighton in 8, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £28,000 three years after graduating from University of Brighton, against £39,000 from University of Sussex. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sussex is higher in 17 and University of Brighton in 11, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#901
QS World
#273
#601
THE World
#201
#68
Guardian UK
#31
1858
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 of Brighton

University of Sussex

84.1%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£32,800
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.4%
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.3%
25.3%

International

International student share

255
463

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

22
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.

Brighton

93 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India12.1%
  • 🇨🇳China7.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5%
  • 🇺🇸United States5%
  • 🇪🇬Egypt3.6%
VS

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

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

Subjects

47 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 of Brighton

University of Sussex

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Mechanical Engineering, Biology, History, Marketing, Music, Social Work, Accounting, Journalism, Philosophy, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Film Production & Cinematography, General Engineering, History of Art & Design, Applied Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Ecology & Conservation, Games Design & Computer Animation, Health & Social Care, Social Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Anatomy & Pathology, Education Studies, Management, English Literature, Physical Geography & Climate, Teacher Training, Computing & IT, Human Resource Management.

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 of Brighton
£17,250
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Brighton is about £6,250 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Brighton
£18,790
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Brighton is about £4,710 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 of Brighton

University of Sussex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    90%Satisfaction87%
  • Computer Science

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    81%Satisfaction78%
  • Business Studies

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    78%Satisfaction84%
  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    87%Satisfaction86%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    82%Satisfaction90%
  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction90%
  • Design & Fashion

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    80%SatisfactionNo data
  • Economics

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    97%Satisfaction87%
  • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    85%Satisfaction89%
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    87%Satisfaction91%
  • Media & Film Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    94%Satisfaction84%
  • Psychology (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction85%

Showing the 12 largest of 33 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Brighton

Ruby Lee Progression scholarship

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

University of Brighton outreach progression scholarships

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Royal Town Planning Institute scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Vice-Chancellor Scholarships

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

Widening Access Bursary

£3,000

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

University of Brighton vs University of Sussex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,250 a year at University of Brighton and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Brighton is about £6,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,790 a year at University of Brighton and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Brighton is about £4,710 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 of Brighton and University of Sussex?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Design & Fashion, Economics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mathematics, Business & Management (General) and 35 more.

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

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

Does University of Brighton or University of Sussex offer more courses?

University of Sussex lists 463 courses on CourseOptions and University of Brighton lists 255 courses.

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

University of Brighton teaches 24 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Civil Engineering, Building & Construction, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Architecture, Pharmacy, Aerospace Engineering, Fine Art, Humanities and 16 more.

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

University of Sussex teaches 29 subject areas that University of Brighton does not, including Physics, Anthropology, Biochemistry, International Development, American & Comparative Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, English Studies, Chemistry and 21 more.

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