University of Sussex vs University of Brighton

University of Sussex vs University of Brighton

Karia Kiritbhai logo

Karia Kiritbhai Study Abroad Course Expert

Study Abroad Course Expert

The University of Sussex is a distinguished public research university located in Falmer, close to Brighton, England, in the South East region of England. It is a large university with approximately 18,000 undergraduates. The admissions process is selective, with an acceptance rate of roughly 92%. Sussex's most popular undergraduate majors are in the Social Sciences, International Relations, Psychology, Business, and Life Sciences. Graduates have a 92% employment rate, with median earnings of approximately INR 33,00,000 to 41,00,000 (equivalent to around £30,000–37,000 median earnings provided 10 years post-graduation). 

The University of Brighton is a modern public university situated over the cities of Brighton and Eastbourne in the South Coast region of England. It is a medium-sized university with approximately 18,000 undergraduate students enrolled. The admissions process is selective, with an acceptance rate of approximately 72%. Brighton's most common undergraduate majors are in Business, Engineering, Art & Design, Health Sciences, and Architecture. The graduate employment rate is 91%, with median earnings of approximately INR 31,50,000 to 42,00,000 (equivalent to approximately £30,000–40,000 in median earnings provided 10 years post-graduation).

Overview Comparison
University of SussexUniversity of Brighton
Collegedunia Score4.8 Out of 104.1 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 51 The Guardian 2026
# 201 Times Higher Education 2026
# 278 QS World University 2026
# 108 The Guardian 2026
# 601 Times Higher Education 2026
# 801 QS World University 2026
Subject Strength# 201 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025
# 351 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 47 for Law by The Guardian 2026
# 601 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025
# 651 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 95 for Law by The Guardian 2026
ProgramsUG Programs -100
PG Programs -97
UG Programs -161
PG Programs -103
Acceptance Rate92.0 %72.0 %
Exam ScoreIELTS-6.5
PTE-67
TOEFL-88
IELTS-6.5
PTE-56
TOEFL-85
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   21235.3
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  21520.4
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 22492 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   17926.0
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  18415.2
[For PG Program]
CollegeDunia Reviews7.5/10 Read 9 reviews7.0/10 Read 2 reviews

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 151 for Sciences by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2022
# 201 for Sciences by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2022
exam scoresDuolingo - 110/160IELTS - 6.0/9PTE - 59/90TOEFL - 80/120IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 59/90TOEFL - 85/120
documents required#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose
General Facts Comparison
General FactsUniversity of SussexUniversity of Brighton
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1961
1858
Student:Faculty Ratio17:1
18:1
Male:Female45% Male, 55% Female42% Male, 58% Female
Weather
Comparison Notes

University of Sussex vs University of Brighton

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

The University of Sussex occupies the 201-250 band worldwide in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 and is ranked joint 26th in the UK. Sussex is also in the joint 101-200 range worldwide in the THE Impact Rankings 2025, which reflects the good work Sussex is doing across the various United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In QS Sustainability 2026 Sussex was ranked 278 overall worldwide, with especially good rankings for Equality (?14th ) and Health & Wellbeing (?32nd). Sussex is noted nationally for subject strength in Development Studies, History, and Physics (and Astronomy, which had high citations in the UK), along with good research output especially in the areas of the social sciences and humanities. The University of Brighton is significantly lower in global rankings,  according to the THE World University Rankings 2025 Brighton lies in the 601-800 range worldwide. In other rankings Brighton lies in the ~#70s in the UK university rankings (UK-wide subject or institution-level rankings) and ~700-1000 among world institutions in "meta-rankings" such as EduRank or world-university aggregate rankings. Brighton performs better in certain vocational and applied areas such as, education, health sciences, sports science, building/electrical engineering, where graduate outcomes or student satisfaction metrics are relatively better in the UK ranking for those subjects.

General Information

Located near Brighton in southern England, Sussex is a well-established research university founded in the 1960s. It boasts a scenic campus with green open spaces and modern architecture and is known for combining excellent research, teaching and sustainability. Brighton itself is a younger institution (which achieved university status in 1992), with roots in the fields of art, design and vocational education, located in the city of Brighton and East Sussex, with multiple campuses, and a range of applied, creative and practice based degrees.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

Good data about acceptance rates for each the Sussex and Brighton has not been separately published in recent global ranking, or institutional summary sources. Sussex is more selective at admission, particularly in stronger and higher demand programs in social sciences, humanities and some science areas. Brighton is generally more accessible when it comes to admission, fairly broadly in applied, vocational or non-traditional degree programs. 

Research Impact & Facilities

Sussex has strong research impact, particularly in the humanities, social sciences, development studies and environmental sciences, with highly cited faculty and a good reputation in citation metrics, and overall in sustainability/research for societal impact. Brighton has overall modest research output, with the strengths more in teaching, professional practice and student experience in the university context, rather than being considered a major centre for high impact fundamental research.

Cost & Financial Aid

Both universities use tuition and fee rates in UK higher education. Sussex has higher tuition and living costs due to its strong reputation and location. Brighton's tuition and costs may be lower, or its vocational programs may have lower fees or lower fees for applied scholarships and bursaries. Awards are often subject or student status-related.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

Sussex graduates often have positive employability, especially in areas relevant to its areas of focus and research strength, including academia, policy, and international development, and the humanities. Sussex has a relevant reputation for international recognition and alumni networks. Brighton graduates tend to have strong employability in vocational or creative areas (public sector or professional practice even), including health-care support, education, design, and applied science, particularly not just applied, but directly connected or investigation engaged, or in collaboration with, local industry. Sussex likely offers degrees and affiliations that are more leverageable globally; Brighton offers employed degrees with good value in niche or applied areas and practical career pathways.