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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 Surrey

Guildford · QS World #246

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.

6/9

Surrey

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

3/9

Sussex

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Surrey leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Sussex is ahead on established, international, courses.

University of Surrey vs University of Sussex at a glance

University of Surrey and University of Sussex both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Physics, Politics & International Relations and Childhood & Youth Studies. University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas; University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,000 a year at University of Surrey and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £6,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,900 a year at University of Surrey and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £2,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 14 and University of Sussex in 4, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £40,000 three years after graduating from University of Surrey, against £30,500 from University of Sussex. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 12 and University of Sussex in 5, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#246
QS World
#273
#201
THE World
#201
#24
Guardian UK
#31
1966
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 Surrey

University of Sussex

88.7%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£38,300
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.7%
81.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

20.2%
25.3%

International

International student share

271
463

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

36
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.

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

  • 🇮🇳India25%
  • 🇨🇳China8.3%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.4%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia5.1%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates3.2%
VS

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

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

Subjects

38 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 Surrey

University of Sussex

Also taught at both: Business Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Drama & Theatre, Biochemistry, Accounting, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Astronomy & Astrophysics, English Literature, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Chemical Engineering, Computing & IT, Film Production & Cinematography, General Engineering, Creative Writing, Games Design & Computer Animation, Health & Social Care, Animal Science, Clinical & Health Psychology, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Human Resource Management.

Only at University of Surrey

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 Surrey
£30,000
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £6,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Surrey
£25,900
University of Sussex
£23,500

University of Sussex is about £2,400 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 Surrey

University of Sussex

  • Physics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    86%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £41,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    78%Satisfaction78%

  • Law

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    94%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £41,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Chemistry

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction85%

  • Music

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    98%Satisfaction85%

  • Management

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    78%Satisfaction82%

Showing the 12 largest of 19 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Surrey

The Professor GQ Max Lu Global Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

Machine learning enhanced muon imaging for nuclear waste monitoring and safeguards

£26,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Nanoscale standardisation of DNA damage for Emerging Isotopes in Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection

£26,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Understanding the dynamics of space radiation hazards using measurements from novel in-situ detectors

£26,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

AI for proton-acoustics for real-time 3D dosimetry of proton therapy

£25,805

Deadline: Jul 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 Surrey vs University of Sussex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,000 a year at University of Surrey and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £6,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,900 a year at University of Surrey and £23,500 at University of Sussex: University of Sussex is about £2,400 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 Surrey and University of Sussex?

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Physics, Politics & International Relations, Childhood & Youth Studies, Mathematics, Economics, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Chemistry and 26 more.

Is University of Surrey or University of Sussex better for Physics?

Physics graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from University of Surrey, and £31,000 from University of Sussex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at University of Surrey and 88% at University of Sussex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Sussex lists 463 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

University of Surrey teaches 24 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Civil Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Nursing (General), Biological Sciences (General), Biotechnology and 16 more.

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

University of Sussex teaches 38 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, History, Anthropology, Philosophy, Biology, International Development, Social Work and 30 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Sussex463 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses