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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 Exeter

Devon · QS World #136

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

Exeter

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

1/11

Sussex

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

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

University of Exeter vs University of Sussex at a glance

University of Exeter and University of Sussex both teach 58 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Mathematics and Physics. University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £1,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £2,050 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Exeter is higher in 25 and University of Sussex in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £43,500 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, against £31,500 from University of Sussex. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Exeter is higher in 19 and University of Sussex in 12.

World & National Rankings

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

#136
QS World
#273
#170
THE World
#201
#14
Guardian UK
#31
1922
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 Exeter

University of Sussex

87.7%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£39,800
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.8%
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.2%
25.3%

International

International student share

873
463

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

2
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.

Exeter

111 countries · 22.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China25.1%
  • 🇮🇳India10.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong10%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States2.8%
VS

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

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

Subjects

58 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 Exeter

University of Sussex

Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, History of Art & Design, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Business Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Theology & Religious Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Ancient Languages, Ecology & Conservation, Biochemistry, Zoology & Animal Biology, Accounting, Anthropology, Anatomy & Pathology, Marketing, Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Drama & Theatre, Physical Geography & Climate, American & Comparative Studies, Chemical Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Management, Public Health & Epidemiology, Clinical Specialities, Geography (General), Creative Writing, Health & Social Care, Genetics & Genomics, Cultural Studies, English Language, Human Resource Management, Social Sciences (General), Education Studies, Liberal Arts, Software Engineering, Applied Psychology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Animal Science, Computing & IT.

Only at University of Exeter

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 Exeter
£24,950
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £1,450 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Exeter
£25,550
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £2,050 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 Exeter

University of Sussex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    88%Satisfaction93%

  • Physics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    94%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £39,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    83%Satisfaction78%

  • Economics

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • English Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Philosophy

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 32 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Exeter

Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

Carolyn and Andrew Trevorrow Memorial Fund Travel Bursaries

See details

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 Exeter vs University of Sussex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £1,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £2,050 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 Exeter and University of Sussex?

Both universities teach 58 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Physics, Law, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Childhood & Youth Studies, History, Computer Science, Economics, English Studies and 46 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, and £25,500 from University of Sussex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Exeter and 87% at University of Sussex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Exeter lists 873 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sussex lists 463 courses.

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

University of Exeter teaches 33 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Classical Studies, Civil Engineering, Archaeology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Safety & Mining Engineering, Humanities, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 25 more.

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

University of Sussex teaches 18 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Music, International Development, Social Work, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemistry, Journalism, Games Design & Computer Animation, Linguistics and 10 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Exeter873 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Sussex463 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses