The University of Sussex has risen 15 places in the Guardian University Guide 2021, published on Saturday (11 September).
 
The guide ranks Sussex at 44th in the UK, up from 59th place in 2020. The Vice-Chancellor, Adam Tickell, attributed the University’s improved performance to a renewed focus on the student experience but said that there is still work to be done.
 
He said: “The Guardian ranking shows that, although the University is making progress, there is still some way to go to achieve our aims.
 
“Thankfully, we have projects already in train to continue to improve in a number of areas, all of which we know our students will value enormously.
 
“A major part of our strategy is all about being bold in delivering the transformations that students need and expect, such as the completion of our fantastic new Student Centre, which opens next year. I’m absolutely sure this will help to improve much of our students’ experiences on campus.
 
“What’s important now is that we continue to give our students the best opportunities, not just in terms of their experience while studying at Sussex, but for their careers and their personal development.”
 
The University has performed well in certain subject areas, with Sussex ranked in the top 10 for four subjects -- Medicine 3rd (as BSMS); American Studies 5th; History of Art 7th; Chemistry 8th.
 
The Guardian’s table ranks universities according to: spending per student; student/staff ratio; graduate career prospects; what grades applicants need to get a place; a value-added score that compares students’ entry qualifications with their final degree results; and how satisfied final-year students are with their courses, based on results from the annual National Student Survey (NSS).