Skip to main content

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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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.

11/11

Southampton

scored higher in 11 categories

VS

0/11

Sussex

scored higher in 0 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton leads in 11 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sussex does not lead in any category where both have data.

University of Southampton vs University of Sussex at a glance

University of Southampton and University of Sussex both teach 59 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science and General Engineering. University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,000 a year at University of Southampton and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £2,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,200 a year at University of Southampton and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £7,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 26 and University of Sussex in 6, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £39,500 three years after graduating from University of Southampton, against £29,000 from University of Sussex. Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sussex is higher in 17 and University of Southampton in 16, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#111
QS World
#273
#129
THE World
#201
#16
Guardian UK
#31
1862
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 Southampton

University of Sussex

87%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£37,200
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

35.1%
25.3%

International

International student share

545
463

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

52
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.

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%
VS

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

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

Subjects

59 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 Southampton

University of Sussex

Also taught at both: Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Psychology (General), Music, Marketing, Philosophy, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Ancient Languages, Biomedical Sciences, Design & Fashion, English Literature, Accounting, Anthropology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Biology, Software Engineering, Education Studies, Human Geography & Environment, English Studies, International Development, Social Policy & Public Policy, Clinical Specialities, Health & Social Care, Management, Clinical & Health Psychology, English Language, Physical Geography & Climate, Zoology & Animal Biology, Creative Writing, Ecology & Conservation, Teacher Training, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Cultural Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Computing & IT, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Resource Management, Information & Library Studies, Liberal Arts, Personal & Professional Development, Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £2,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Southampton
£31,200
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £7,700 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 Southampton

University of Sussex

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £39,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • General Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    90%SatisfactionNo data

  • Physics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £47,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    80%Satisfaction78%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    87%Satisfaction79%

  • Economics

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    81%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 36 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent 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 Southampton vs University of Sussex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,000 a year at University of Southampton and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £2,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,200 a year at University of Southampton and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £7,700 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 Southampton and University of Sussex?

Both universities teach 59 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Business & Management (General), Physics, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Economics, Media & Film Studies, Law and 47 more.

Is University of Southampton or University of Sussex better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £40,500 three years after graduating from University of Southampton, and £32,000 from University of Sussex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University of Southampton and 91% at University of Sussex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sussex lists 463 courses.

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

University of Southampton teaches 32 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Civil Engineering, Archaeology, Environmental Sciences, Marine Engineering & Technology, Healthcare Science, Children's Nursing and 24 more.

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

University of Sussex teaches 17 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Social Work, American & Comparative Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, History of Art & Design, Journalism, Drama & Theatre, Film Production & Cinematography and 9 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sussex463 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses