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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 Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

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

Leeds

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

1/11

Sussex

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

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

University of Leeds vs University of Sussex at a glance

University of Leeds and University of Sussex both teach 66 subject areas, the largest being Physics, Politics & International Relations and Childhood & Youth Studies. University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,700 a year at University of Leeds and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £10,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,500 a year at University of Leeds and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £8,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 39 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Leeds is higher in 26 and University of Sussex in 13. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £35,000 three years after graduating from University of Leeds, against £29,000 from University of Sussex. Of the 39 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Leeds is higher in 18 and University of Sussex in 16, with 5 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#77
QS World
#273
#118
THE World
#201
#15
Guardian UK
#31
1904
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 Leeds

University of Sussex

85.7%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£37,200
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.7%
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.5%
25.3%

International

International student share

579
463

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

13
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.

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
VS

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

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

Subjects

66 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 Leeds

University of Sussex

Also taught at both: History, Philosophy, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Psychology (General), Human Geography & Environment, Mechanical Engineering, Education Studies, Marketing, Biomedical Sciences, English Studies, Management, Drama & Theatre, Biology, International Development, Personal & Professional Development, Ancient Languages, Biochemistry, History of Art & Design, Linguistics, Theology & Religious Studies, Zoology & Animal Biology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Social Policy & Public Policy, Social Work, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Ecology & Conservation, Genetics & Genomics, Chemical Engineering, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Literature, Health & Social Care, Journalism, Public Health & Epidemiology, Film Production & Cinematography, General Engineering, Human Resource Management, Creative Writing, Cultural Studies, English Language, Information & Library Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Teacher Training, Anatomy & Pathology, Applied Psychology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Liberal Arts, Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at University of Leeds

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 Leeds
£33,700
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £10,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Leeds
£31,500
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £8,000 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 Leeds

University of Sussex

  • Physics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    79%Satisfaction78%

  • Economics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    82%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    83%Satisfaction93%

  • Business Studies

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • Chemistry

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    85%Satisfaction93%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    92%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 41 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

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 Leeds vs University of Sussex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,700 a year at University of Leeds and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £10,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,500 a year at University of Leeds and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £8,000 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 Leeds and University of Sussex?

Both universities teach 66 subject areas: Physics, Politics & International Relations, Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Mathematics, Business Studies, Chemistry, Media & Film Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 54 more.

Is University of Leeds or University of Sussex better for Physics?

Physics graduates earn a median £29,000 three years after graduating from University of Leeds, and £31,000 from University of Sussex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University of Leeds and 88% at University of Sussex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Leeds lists 579 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sussex lists 463 courses.

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

University of Leeds teaches 44 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Civil Engineering, Asian Languages & Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Medical Imaging, Biomedical Engineering, Natural Sciences, Nutrition & Dietetics, Aerospace Engineering and 36 more.

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

University of Sussex teaches 10 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Anthropology, American & Comparative Studies, Accounting, Clinical Specialities, Games Design & Computer Animation, Welsh Studies, Animal Science, Computing & IT and 2 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Leeds579 courses · 13 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sussex463 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses