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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 Sussex

Brighton · QS World #273

U
University of the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

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.

5/9

Sussex

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

4/9

West of Scotland

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Sussex vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

University of Sussex and University of the West of Scotland both teach 34 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Politics & International Relations and Business Studies. University of Sussex offers 463 courses across 76 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,500 a year at University of Sussex and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £8,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,500 a year at University of Sussex and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £7,220 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sussex is higher in 16 and University of the West of Scotland in 1. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £32,500 three years after graduating from University of Sussex, against £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 8 and University of Sussex in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

#273
QS World
—
#201
THE World
#601
#31
Guardian UK
#115
1961
Established
1897
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

University of Sussex

University of the West of Scotland

86.9%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£34,700
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.7%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.3%
30.3%

International

International student share

463
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

2
0

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.

Sussex

115 countries · 25.3% international

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

34 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 Sussex

University of the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Social Work, Teacher Training, Biology, General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Accounting, Journalism, Computing & IT, Applied Psychology, Health & Social Care, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Sciences (General), Zoology & Animal Biology, Education Studies, English Language, Cultural Studies, Design & Fashion, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science.

Only at University of Sussex

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 Sussex
£23,500
University of the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £8,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Sussex
£23,500
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £7,220 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 Sussex

University of the West of Scotland

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    86%Satisfaction92%

  • Business Studies

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction75%

  • Physics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    90%SatisfactionNo data

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    90%SatisfactionNo data

  • Music

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    85%Satisfaction90%

  • Chemistry

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    91%Satisfaction80%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    79%Satisfaction89%

  • Social Work

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction88%

  • Teacher Training

    No dataSalary (3 years)£32,000
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Biology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    91%Satisfaction99%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Sussex

Chancellor's International Scholarships

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Sussex Bursary

£1,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Sussex vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is University of Sussex or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,500 a year at University of Sussex and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £8,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,500 a year at University of Sussex and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £7,220 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 Sussex and University of the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 34 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Politics & International Relations, Business Studies, Physics, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Music, Biomedical Sciences and 22 more.

Is University of Sussex or University of the West of Scotland better for Childhood & Youth Studies?

Childhood & Youth Studies graduates earn a median £26,000 three years after graduating from University of Sussex, and £24,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Sussex and 92% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Sussex or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of Sussex lists 463 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at University of Sussex but not at University of the West of Scotland?

University of Sussex teaches 42 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Computer Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, History, Anthropology, Philosophy, Biochemistry and 34 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of Sussex?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 15 subject areas that University of Sussex does not, including Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Aerospace Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Adult Nursing, Creative Arts (General) and 7 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Sussex463 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses