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Plymouth · QS World #691
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
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.
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
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
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
Childhood & Youth Studies
2 coursesTypical fee £18,150 (UG)
30 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
6 coursesTypical fee £18,700 (PG)
24 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
7 coursesTypical fee £18,150 (UG)
18 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
Law
9 coursesTypical fee £18,150 (UG)
15 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
12 coursesTypical fee £19,500 (PG)
11 coursesTypical fee £25,000 (PG)
Computer Science
7 coursesTypical fee £21,000 (PG)
16 coursesTypical fee £27,300 (UG)
Psychology (General)
11 coursesFee not available
12 coursesTypical fee £27,300 (UG)
Mathematics
5 coursesFee not available
16 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
Economics
3 coursesFee not available
17 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
Finance & Actuarial Science
3 coursesTypical fee £18,150 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
Biomedical Sciences
Business Studies
6 coursesTypical fee £19,500 (PG)
11 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
History
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.
Only at University of Plymouth
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)£26,00079%Satisfaction86%Politics & International Relations
£24,000Salary (3 years)£25,50086%Satisfaction87%Sociology & Criminology
£22,500Salary (3 years)£25,50083%Satisfaction90%Law
£21,500Salary (3 years)£27,50084%Satisfaction90%Computer Science
£28,000Salary (3 years)£39,00072%Satisfaction78%Psychology (General)
£21,500Salary (3 years)£24,00084%Satisfaction85%Mathematics
£25,000Salary (3 years)£30,00086%Satisfaction93%Economics
£24,500Salary (3 years)£30,50091%Satisfaction87%Finance & Actuarial Science
£24,000Salary (3 years)£29,00090%Satisfaction86%Biomedical Sciences
£26,000Salary (3 years)£28,00084%Satisfaction86%Business Studies
£24,000Salary (3 years)£32,50074%Satisfaction84%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£32,000Salary (3 years)£32,00091%Satisfaction91%
Showing the 12 largest of 35 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity 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
University of Sussex
Chancellor's International Scholarships
£5,000
Deadline: N/A
Sussex Bursary
£1,000
Deadline: N/A
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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