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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 Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

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.

4/10

Essex

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

6/10

Sussex

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sussex leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, graduate salary). University of Essex is ahead on satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship.

University of Essex vs University of Sussex at a glance

University of Essex and University of Sussex both teach 54 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Economics and History. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Essex is about £2,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £380 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sussex is higher in 19 and University of Essex in 9, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £39,000 from University of Sussex. Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sussex is higher in 19 and University of Essex in 11, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#273
#301
THE World
#201
#44
Guardian UK
#31
1964
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 Essex

University of Sussex

87.2%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
25.3%

International

International student share

748
463

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
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.

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India21.2%
  • 🇨🇳China11.7%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.1%
  • 🇫🇷France5.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.4%
VS

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

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

Subjects

54 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 Essex

University of Sussex

Also taught at both: Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Journalism, English Literature, Marketing, Linguistics, English Language, Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Social Sciences (General), Creative Writing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Anthropology, Applied Psychology, English Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Social Work, American & Comparative Studies, Ancient Languages, Film Production & Cinematography, Genetics & Genomics, Welsh Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Health & Social Care, Liberal Arts, Cultural Studies, Human Resource Management, Physical Geography & Climate, Clinical & Health Psychology, Design & Fashion, Teacher Training.

Only at University of Essex

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 Essex
£21,500
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Essex is about £2,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £380 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 Essex

University of Sussex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    93%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Philosophy

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    81%Satisfaction78%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    77%Satisfaction86%

  • Mathematics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction93%

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    71%Satisfaction86%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    84%Satisfaction85%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Essex

Access Essex Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Sustainable Transitions - Governance, Ecological Management and Society - Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Sustainable Transitions - Governance, Ecological Management and Society - Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme 2026-27 (Masters plus PhD)

100%

Deadline: N/A

The Essex MBA Dean's Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Research EU Scholarship

£8,000

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 Essex vs University of Sussex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Essex is about £2,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £380 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 Essex and University of Sussex?

Both universities teach 54 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Economics, History, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Philosophy, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics, History of Art & Design, Childhood & Youth Studies, Psychology (General) and 42 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £25,500 from University of Sussex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 87% at University of Sussex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sussex lists 463 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 20 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Biotechnology, Civil Engineering, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Environmental Sciences and 12 more.

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

University of Sussex teaches 22 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Music, International Development, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemistry, Clinical Specialities, Education Studies and 14 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sussex463 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses