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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 Bristol

Bristol · QS World #57

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

Bristol

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

1/11

Sussex

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

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

University of Bristol vs University of Sussex at a glance

University of Bristol and University of Sussex both teach 59 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Economics and Politics & International Relations. University of Bristol offers 479 courses across 83 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £7,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £4,960 a year cheaper.

Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bristol is higher in 30 and University of Sussex in 2. The widest gap is in Management: £44,000 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, against £31,500 from University of Sussex. Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Bristol is higher in 16 and University of Sussex in 13, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#57
QS World
#273
#80
THE World
#201
#13
Guardian UK
#31
1876
Established
1961
Yes
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 Bristol

University of Sussex

88%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£43,100
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

77.4%
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.6%
25.3%

International

International student share

479
463

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

54
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.

Bristol

104 countries · 33.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.5%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.8%
VS

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

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

Subjects

59 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 Bristol

University of Sussex

Also taught at both: Music, Philosophy, Biochemistry, Chemistry, English Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biomedical Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Business Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Social Work, Anthropology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biology, Drama & Theatre, Education Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Ancient Languages, Film Production & Cinematography, General Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, History of Art & Design, Theology & Religious Studies, Welsh Studies, Design & Fashion, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Zoology & Animal Biology, Creative Writing, Health & Social Care, Public Health & Epidemiology, Software Engineering, Liberal Arts, Linguistics, Social Sciences (General), Animal Science, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Computing & IT, Geography (General), Human Resource Management, Information & Library Studies, Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at University of Bristol

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 of Bristol
£31,300
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £7,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Bristol
£28,460
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £4,960 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 Bristol

University of Sussex

  • Mathematics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    87%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    81%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Physics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £48,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    93%Satisfaction78%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    80%Satisfaction86%

  • Management

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    84%Satisfaction82%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction85%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    83%Satisfaction91%

  • History

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    90%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 34 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Bristol

Black Heritage PhD Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Black heritage PhD scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships for applicants of Black heritage

100%

Deadline: N/A

British Council scholarships for Women

100%

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 Bristol vs University of Sussex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £7,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £4,960 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 Bristol and University of Sussex?

Both universities teach 59 subject areas: Mathematics, Economics, Politics & International Relations, Physics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Law, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Management, Psychology (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 47 more.

Is University of Bristol or University of Sussex better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £34,500 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, and £30,000 from University of Sussex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at University of Bristol and 93% at University of Sussex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Bristol lists 479 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sussex lists 463 courses.

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

University of Bristol teaches 24 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Dentistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Civil Engineering, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Classical Studies, Aerospace Engineering and 16 more.

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

University of Sussex teaches 17 subject areas that University of Bristol does not, including International Development, American & Comparative Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Journalism, Clinical Specialities, English Language, Genetics & Genomics, Cultural Studies and 9 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Bristol479 courses · 54 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Sussex463 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses