University of Sussex Admissions Statistics

As a leading research university (opens in a new tab) ranking 17th in the UK for employment outcomes (opens in a new tab), the University of Sussex is a popular choice for many students. 

Using the latest admissions statistics and comparisons with similar universities, this article will show you how competitive Sussex is and what you need to do to make your application stand out.

Top 5 University of Sussex Admissions Statistics

• The University of Sussex received a total of 16,825 applications in 2025

• In 2025, Combined & General Studies courses at Sussex – such as Liberal Arts – had the lowest acceptance rate at 11.7%

• Business & Management and Social Sciences courses received the most applications in 2025 (3,195 and 2,910 respectively)

• 69% of the University of Sussex’s student population are from the UK, while 31% are from overseas

• The University of Sussex’s acceptance rate is around 70% (opens in a new tab)

University of Sussex Acceptance Rate Overview

Sussex’s overall acceptance rate is approximately 70%. This means that, on average, 7 out of every 10 applicants are accepted to the University of Sussex.

University of Sussex Admissions Statistics by Course

The table below features Sussex’s undergraduate main scheme application and acceptance data from 2025 (opens in a new tab):

Key Trends from 2025

Sussex’s most popular subject groups also tend to be the most competitive, and therefore usually require high A Level grades.

Achieving above the minimum grade requirements can strengthen your application. For instance, if you want to study a subject that typically requires ABB at A Level, achieving two A grades or one A* in a relevant subject can help you stand out to admissions officers.

The table below lists some of Sussex’s most popular and competitive courses from 2025, typical A Level grades needed, and some relevant or required A Level subjects.

For more detailed information on entry requirements, course structures and the application process, visit Sussex’s official web page (opens in a new tab) for each course.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that Sussex admissions officers may also make contextual offers (opens in a new tab). This means that eligible students may be accepted onto courses with lower A Level grades (typically BCC for entry into the first year of an undergraduate degree).

How the University of Sussex Makes Admissions Decisions

If you’re looking to study undergraduate courses at Sussex (opens in a new tab), you’ll need to apply via UCAS (opens in a new tab). Below are the main steps in the process:

Academic Requirements

• Minimum grades, e.g. Grade 4-9 GCSEs or ABB at A Level

• Specific A Level subjects, e.g. Biology (opens in a new tab) requires at least one science subject, such as A Level Biology or Chemistry

Personal Statement

• A written description of information about yourself, your extracurricular skills and achievements, and why you want to study your chosen course

• Sussex’s advice (opens in a new tab) is that your personal statement should include relevant information, examples of your achievements and evidence of your enthusiasm for your chosen subject – all very much in line with our advice!

Additional Requirements

• Alongside your UCAS form, some courses also require candidates to complete admissions tests or attend interviews

• Below are two examples of courses with these additional requirements:

  • Medicine (opens in a new tab)

    • The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) (opens in a new tab) assesses the appropriateness of your cognitive abilities, attitudes and professional behaviours as an aspiring healthcare professional

    • The interview is designed to see if you have the core values, skills and attributes to study Medicine at Brighton & Sussex Medical School (BSMS)

  • Social Work (opens in a new tab)

    • Candidates who pass the first stage of the application process (opens in a new tab) will be invited to a selection day

    • A key part of the selection day is the interview (opens in a new tab), which helps the admissions team get to know you and why you’re interested in this course

Overall, Sussex aims to recruit a diverse and multicultural student community using a fair, open and welcoming process.

You can find more information on Sussex’s approach to contextual offers here (opens in a new tab).

How Competitive Is the University of Sussex Compared to Similar Universities?

The table below compares Sussex’s acceptance rates (both for a competitive subject, Biomedical Science, and overall) to two UK universities ranked similarly to Sussex in the QS World University Rankings 2026 (opens in a new tab).

Note that while Sussex had the lowest approximate acceptance rate for Biomedical Science in 2025, its overall acceptance rate is slightly higher than Surrey’s, and significantly higher than Swansea’s. This shows how big a role your chosen course plays in how competitive a university is.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of University of Sussex applications get accepted?

While the acceptance rate for individual courses varies, approximately 70% of all University of Sussex applications get accepted.

Which course at the University of Sussex is the hardest to get into?

Though the 2025 data shows that Combined & General Studies subjects had the lowest acceptance rate at 11.7%, Law and Psychology are listed among Sussex’s most competitive courses (opens in a new tab). Law (opens in a new tab) and Psychology (opens in a new tab) also typically require AAB at A Level, whereas many other courses – such as Anthropology (opens in a new tab), History and Sociology (opens in a new tab) and Politics and Philosophy (opens in a new tab) – typically require ABB.

What percentage of University of Sussex students drop out?

Sussex was named University of the Year for Student Retention (opens in a new tab) in 2022, when its dropout rate was 4.2% (opens in a new tab).

The most recent data from 2026 (opens in a new tab) shows that Sussex’s continuation rate is 93.9%. This means that Sussex’s average dropout (non-continuation) rate is currently 6.1%, which is slightly better than the average UK university dropout rate of 6.3% (opens in a new tab).

Final Thoughts

The University of Sussex has a strong reputation for its research-led teaching. Since it is particularly renowned for its Social Sciences and Psychology courses (opens in a new tab), it is especially worth considering if you’re interested in these subjects.

Use our insights on Sussex’s typical entry requirements to make an informed decision on your chosen course, and to help your application stand out.

Good luck!

References

• Here Students: Easiest and Hardest Universities to Get Into in the UK (opens in a new tab)

• QS World University Rankings 2026 (opens in a new tab)

• UCAS Undergraduate end of cycle data resources 2025 (opens in a new tab)

• UK Freshers Guide: University of Sussex Top Courses (opens in a new tab)

• UniScholars: University of Sussex Acceptance Rate (opens in a new tab)

• University of Sussex (opens in a new tab)

• Whatuni: Universities With Highest and Lowest Dropout Rates (opens in a new tab)

• The Guardian University Guide 2026 – the rankings (opens in a new tab)