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).
University league table rankings
- 38th in the UK: The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020 [subscription only]
- 40th in the UK: The Complete University Guide (CUG) 2021
- 41st in the UK: The Guardian University league tables 2020.
World rankings
- Joint 15th in the world: Times Higher Education “Golden Age” ranking (for universities established between 1945 and 1967)
- 146th in the world: The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020
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.
Student survey and guide ratings
National Student Survey
In the National Student Survey 2019:
- 84.3% of Sussex students confirmed they are happy with their experience
Which? University Guide
In the Which? University Guide 2018, we were rated at:
- 85% (highly rated) for rich political scene
- 84% (highly rated) for diverse local nightlife
- 96% of graduates in work or further study.
The Which? guide places Sussex among the top 10 best universities for nightlife – the only university in the south of the UK to make the list – read more.
Which? also ranks Sussex as one of the six best universities for political scene – read what students said about us.
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.
