Why study at IDS

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 2022 ranked IDS, together with the University of Sussex, first in the world for development studies for the sixth year running. The rankings once again put Sussex top, above Harvard and Oxford. Sussex has now been number one for development studies for four out of the past six years. 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.

Best international development policy think tank: IDS was ranked first out of 128 international development policy think tanks in the 2020 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report, for the second consecutive year. IDS was also ranked third in the Report’s category of university-affiliated think tanks, a reflection of our important and long-standing partnership with the University of Sussex.

Research Excellence Framework (REF)

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

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

The next REF is scheduled for 2021.

UK League Tables ranking

Joint 41st in the UK: The Complete University Guide (CUG) 2022

47th in the UK: The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 [subscription only]

44th in the UK: The Guardian University league tables 2022

21st out of 101 UK institutions in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2022

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.