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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 Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

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.

9/11

Manchester

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

Sussex

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sussex is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

University of Manchester vs University of Sussex at a glance

University of Manchester and University of Sussex both teach 69 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Physics and Economics. University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £8,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £3,300 a year cheaper.

Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 18 and University of Sussex in 11, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £44,000 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, against £39,000 from University of Sussex. Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sussex is higher in 16 and University of Manchester in 15, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#40
QS World
#273
#56
THE World
#201
#29
Guardian UK
#31
1824
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 Manchester

University of Sussex

85.1%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£36,500
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

40%
25.3%

International

International student share

1041
463

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

6
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.

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

  • 🇨🇳China51%
  • 🇮🇳India7.6%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia4.9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%
VS

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

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

Subjects

69 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 Manchester

University of Sussex

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

Only at University of Manchester

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 Manchester
£32,300
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £8,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Manchester
£26,800
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £3,300 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 Manchester

University of Sussex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Physics

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

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

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

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Biochemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    87%Satisfaction81%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    87%Satisfaction93%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • Management

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    84%Satisfaction82%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    81%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 35 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Manchester

Spärck AI Scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

The Sadler Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

The Bason Family Bursary

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

The Cowrie Foundation Scholarships

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Accommodation Bursary

£2,050

Deadline: Jul 2026

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 Manchester vs University of Sussex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £8,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £3,300 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 Manchester and University of Sussex?

Both universities teach 69 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Physics, Economics, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Law, Chemistry, Business & Management (General), History and 57 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, and £25,500 from University of Sussex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Manchester and 87% at University of Sussex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sussex lists 463 courses.

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

University of Manchester teaches 47 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Microbiology & Cell Biology, Dentistry, Civil Engineering, Materials Science, Statistics, Medicine, Nursing (General), Geology & Earth Sciences and 39 more.

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

University of Sussex teaches 7 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Journalism, Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Social Sciences (General), Welsh Studies, Animal Science and Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sussex463 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses