Development Studies QS Ranking for Universities
IDS degrees are delivered in partnership with the University of Sussex who support and accredit our teaching and learning programmes. See how we both perform in league tables, development studies rankings and impact evaluations.
World rankings
Best in the world for development studies: The QS University Rankings 2025 ranked IDS, together with the University of Sussex, first in the world for development studies for the ninth year running. The rankings once again put Sussex top, above Harvard and Oxford. The result reflects the quality, impact and range of international development research and courses offered across the Sussex campus that includes IDS’ research and teaching programmes.
Research Excellence Framework (REF)
Sussex is a leading research university, as reflected in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF).
UK League Tables ranking
47th in the UK: The Complete University Guide (CUG) 2025
50th in the UK: The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023 [subscription only]
66th in the UK: The Guardian University league tables 2023
Joint 26th out of 101 UK institutions in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025
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 per cent of University of Sussex and University of Brighton students surveyed saying they’re ‘very happy’ with their education and city life.
