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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 Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

U
University of Sussex

Brighton · QS World #273

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

9/12

Cambridge

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

3/12

Sussex

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary). University of Sussex is ahead on employment, courses, scholarship.

University of Cambridge vs University of Sussex at a glance

University of Cambridge and University of Sussex both teach 52 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Politics & International Relations and Sociology & Criminology. University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £9,390 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £17,800 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 12 and University of Sussex in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £59,500 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, against £30,500 from University of Sussex. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 8 and University of Sussex in 2, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#6
QS World
#273
#3
THE World
#201
#2
Guardian UK
#31
1209
Established
1961
Yes
Russell Group
No
Gold
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 Cambridge

University of Sussex

92.1%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£49,800
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

76.6%
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.2%
25.3%

International

International student share

336
463

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%
VS

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

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

Subjects

52 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 Cambridge

University of Sussex

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Biology, Business Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Music, Anthropology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Clinical Specialities, English Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Genetics & Genomics, History of Art & Design, International Development, American & Comparative Studies, Management, Theology & Religious Studies, Anatomy & Pathology, Creative Writing, Chemical Engineering, Education Studies, Software Engineering, Geography (General), Health & Social Care, Linguistics, Social Policy & Public Policy, Zoology & Animal Biology, Ancient Languages, Welsh Studies, Animal Science, Clinical & Health Psychology, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Computing & IT, Information & Library Studies.

Only at University of Cambridge

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 Cambridge
£32,890
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £9,390 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Cambridge
£41,300
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £17,800 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 Cambridge

University of Sussex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    No dataSatisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £44,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £59,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    95%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £49,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £63,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    94%Satisfaction78%

  • Psychology (General)

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction85%

  • Philosophy

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    93%Satisfaction84%

  • General Engineering

    £39,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    87%SatisfactionNo data

  • Music

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    97%Satisfaction85%

  • English Studies

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • History of Art & Design

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    86%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Cambridge

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 Cambridge vs University of Sussex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £9,390 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £17,800 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 Cambridge and University of Sussex?

Both universities teach 52 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Mathematics, Economics, Physics, History, Law, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Biomedical Sciences, Business & Management (General) and 40 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £34,000 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, and £25,500 from University of Sussex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Sussex lists 463 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

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

University of Cambridge teaches 27 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Biological Sciences (General), Asian Languages & Studies, Archaeology, Architecture, Veterinary Medicine, Celtic Studies, Classical Studies, Eastern European Languages and 19 more.

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

University of Sussex teaches 24 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Marketing, Social Work, Journalism, Accounting, Drama & Theatre, English Language and 16 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Sussex463 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses