Rankings

We are highly ranked in the UK league tables and over 75% of our research activity is categorised as world-leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2014).

A group of female students celebrating at a graduation ceremony

University league table rankings

World rankings

QS World Rankings

In the QS World Rankings 2020, we have been:

  • rated number one in the world for Development Studies
  • rated high for research output.

Brighton - the happiest city in England for students

In a survey by accommodation providers Student Living by Sodexo, Brighton was ranked the happiest city in England for students, with 93% of University of Sussex and University of Brighton students surveyed saying they’re ‘very happy’ with their education and city life.

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014

Sussex is a leading research university, as reflected in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF).

Over 75% of research activity at Sussex is categorised as world leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*) in terms of originality, significance and rigour. 

Individual highlights of the REF 2014 results include:

  • Sussex History was the highest rated History submission in the UK for the quality of its research outputs 
  • 84% of the University’s research impact in Psychology was rated as the top possible grade, 4* 
  • Sussex Geography had the most 4*-rated research impact of any Geography submission across the UK.

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)

The Teaching Excellence Framework is a government-run exercise to evaluate the quality of the undergraduate student experience in higher education institutions in the UK.  

Find out more about TEF on the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) website.

We were awarded a silver rating in the 2017 TEF submission, and as part of our submission, Sussex was strongly praised by HEFCE for: 

  • our outstanding employment strategy, with the proportion of Sussex graduates in highly-skilled jobs or further study 12 per cent above benchmark expectations
  • the very high proportion of Sussex students from all backgrounds who complete their course and go on to highly-skilled employment or further study.

As well as our employment strategy and the performance of under-represented groups in our student body, the TEF panel assessors said our submission reflects:

  • our culture that values excellent teaching through career progression, professional development and teaching awards
  • the significant investment in the University estate and high-quality physical and digital resources that aids student learning
  • our students’ consistent and frequent exposure to, and engagement in, cutting-edge research
  • optimum levels of student engagement and commitment to learning, secured through excellent teaching and assessment practices. 

Read our full TEF submission.

TEF Silver logo

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