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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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.

4/11

Plymouth

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Sussex

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sussex leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Plymouth is ahead on TEF, established, employment, scholarship.

University of Plymouth vs University of Sussex at a glance

University of Plymouth and University of Sussex both teach 50 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Politics & International Relations and Sociology & Criminology. University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,200 a year at University of Plymouth and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Plymouth is about £4,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at University of Plymouth and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Plymouth is about £4,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sussex is higher in 29 and University of Plymouth in 2, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £28,000 three years after graduating from University of Plymouth, against £39,000 from University of Sussex. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Plymouth is higher in 17 and University of Sussex in 12, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#691
QS World
#273
#501
THE World
#201
#56
Guardian UK
#31
1862
Established
1961
No
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 Plymouth

University of Sussex

86.6%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£30,300
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.2%
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

11.9%
25.3%

International

International student share

310
463

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
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.

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%
VS

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

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

Subjects

50 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 Plymouth

University of Sussex

Also taught at both: Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Design & Fashion, English Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Anthropology, Ecology & Conservation, Marketing, Music, Chemistry, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Work, Biology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Film Production & Cinematography, Management, Accounting, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Creative Writing, Education Studies, Software Engineering, Drama & Theatre, Games Design & Computer Animation, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Zoology & Animal Biology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Anatomy & Pathology, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Geography (General), Human Resource Management, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Chemical Engineering, Specialist Clinical Nursing.

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 Plymouth
£19,200
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Plymouth is about £4,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Plymouth
£19,500
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Plymouth is about £4,000 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 Plymouth

University of Sussex

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    79%Satisfaction86%
  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    86%Satisfaction87%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    83%Satisfaction90%
  • Law

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    84%Satisfaction90%
  • Computer Science

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    72%Satisfaction78%
  • Psychology (General)

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    84%Satisfaction85%
  • Mathematics

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    86%Satisfaction93%
  • Economics

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    91%Satisfaction87%
  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction86%
  • Biomedical Sciences

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    84%Satisfaction86%
  • Business Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    74%Satisfaction84%
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    91%Satisfaction91%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

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 Plymouth vs University of Sussex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,200 a year at University of Plymouth and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Plymouth is about £4,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at University of Plymouth and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Plymouth is about £4,000 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 Plymouth and University of Sussex?

Both universities teach 50 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Psychology (General), Mathematics, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Biomedical Sciences, Business Studies and 38 more.

Is University of Plymouth or University of Sussex better for Childhood & Youth Studies?

Childhood & Youth Studies graduates earn a median £29,000 three years after graduating from University of Plymouth, and £26,000 from University of Sussex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 79% at University of Plymouth and 86% at University of Sussex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Sussex lists 463 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 28 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Civil Engineering, Adult Nursing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Dentistry, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marine Engineering & Technology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation and 20 more.

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

University of Sussex teaches 26 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Physics, Philosophy, Biochemistry, International Development, American & Comparative Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, History of Art & Design, Journalism and 18 more.

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