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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 Sheffield

Sheffield · QS World #82

U
University of Sussex

Brighton · QS World #273

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

8/10

Sheffield

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Sussex

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary). University of Sussex is ahead on employment, courses.

University of Sheffield vs University of Sussex at a glance

University of Sheffield and University of Sussex both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Childhood & Youth Studies and Computer Science. University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,830 a year at University of Sheffield and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £2,330 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,360 a year at University of Sheffield and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £7,860 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sheffield is higher in 14 and University of Sussex in 13, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Chemistry: £27,500 three years after graduating from University of Sheffield, against £30,500 from University of Sussex. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 18 and University of Sussex in 4, with 5 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#82
QS World
#273
#108
THE World
#201
#19
Guardian UK
#31
1905
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 Sheffield

University of Sussex

89.6%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.3%
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

28.1%
25.3%

International

International student share

307
463

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

2
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.

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China45.6%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia7.3%
  • 🇮🇳India7%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.5%
VS

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

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

Subjects

51 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 Sheffield

University of Sussex

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Business Studies, English Studies, Philosophy, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, International Development, Journalism, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Public Health & Epidemiology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemical Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Software Engineering, Linguistics, Accounting, English Language, Zoology & Animal Biology, Anatomy & Pathology, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General), Ancient Languages, Cultural Studies, English Literature, Management, Social Policy & Public Policy, Animal Science, Applied Psychology, Human Resource Management, Information & Library Studies.

Only at University of Sheffield

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 Sheffield
£25,830
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £2,330 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Sheffield
£31,360
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £7,860 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 Sheffield

University of Sussex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    95%Satisfaction78%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    90%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    94%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    87%Satisfaction91%

  • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    95%Satisfaction89%

  • History

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    93%Satisfaction90%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    96%Satisfaction85%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Sheffield

International Postgraduate Scholarship 2026

£3,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Access to Sheffield Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 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 Sheffield vs University of Sussex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,830 a year at University of Sheffield and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £2,330 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,360 a year at University of Sheffield and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £7,860 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 Sheffield and University of Sussex?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, Physics, Sociology & Criminology, Mathematics, Economics, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Law, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering and 39 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from University of Sheffield, and £25,500 from University of Sussex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at University of Sheffield and 87% at University of Sussex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Sussex lists 463 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 26 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Civil Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Architecture, Information Systems & Data Science, Landscape Architecture & Design, Planning & Housing, Asian Languages & Studies, Biomedical Engineering and 18 more.

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

University of Sussex teaches 25 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Media & Film Studies, Anthropology, Social Work, American & Comparative Studies, History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, Creative Writing, Education Studies and 17 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sussex463 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses