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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 Reading

Reading · QS World #196

U
University of Sussex

Brighton · QS World #273

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/9

Reading

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

5/9

Sussex

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sussex leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). University of Reading is ahead on ranking, established, employment, graduate salary.

University of Reading vs University of Sussex at a glance

University of Reading and University of Sussex both teach 46 subject areas, the largest being Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics and Childhood & Youth Studies. University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,850 a year at University of Reading and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £2,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,450 a year at University of Reading and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £2,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 17 and University of Sussex in 8, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £38,500 three years after graduating from University of Reading, against £29,000 from University of Sussex. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sussex is higher in 17 and University of Reading in 12, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#196
QS World
#273
#201
THE World
#201
#33
Guardian UK
#31
1892
Established
1961
No
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 Reading

University of Sussex

85.1%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£35,800
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.7%
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18%
25.3%

International

International student share

448
463

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
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.

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

  • 🇨🇳China26%
  • 🇮🇳India6.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.2%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.9%
VS

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

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

Subjects

46 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 Reading

University of Sussex

Also taught at both: Chemistry, Human Geography & Environment, Media & Film Studies, Biochemistry, International Development, English Literature, Management, Accounting, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Design & Fashion, Information & Library Studies, Ancient Languages, Biology, Teacher Training, Zoology & Animal Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Ecology & Conservation, Education Studies, English Language, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Drama & Theatre, History of Art & Design, Physical Geography & Climate, Animal Science, Creative Writing, Film Production & Cinematography, Human Resource Management, Linguistics, Social Policy & Public Policy, Social Sciences (General), Clinical & Health Psychology.

Only at University of Reading

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 Reading
£25,850
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £2,350 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Reading
£26,450
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £2,950 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 Reading

University of Sussex

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

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

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    86%Satisfaction93%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    96%Satisfaction90%

  • History

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    95%Satisfaction90%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%Satisfaction85%

  • Business Studies

    £39,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    79%Satisfaction84%

  • Marketing

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    76%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    76%Satisfaction78%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 31 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

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 Reading vs University of Sussex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,850 a year at University of Reading and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £2,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,450 a year at University of Reading and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £2,950 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 Reading and University of Sussex?

Both universities teach 46 subject areas: Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Law, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, History, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Marketing and 34 more.

Is University of Reading or University of Sussex better for Finance & Actuarial Science?

Finance & Actuarial Science graduates earn a median £38,500 three years after graduating from University of Reading, and £29,000 from University of Sussex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at University of Reading and 86% at University of Sussex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Sussex lists 463 courses on CourseOptions and University of Reading lists 448 courses.

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

University of Reading teaches 24 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Building & Construction, Agriculture & Land Management, Food Science, Archaeology, Biological Sciences (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Nutrition & Dietetics and 16 more.

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

University of Sussex teaches 30 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Physics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Music, Anthropology, Social Work, American & Comparative Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics and 22 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses
U
University of Sussex463 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses