Sussex students' social lives are among the best in Britain, according to a new guide to UK universities.

The Virgin Alternative Guide to British Universities 2003 gives four out of five stars to social life on campus at the University of Sussex and three out of five stars for social life at Brighton University.

The universities were awarded points for social scene, clubs and societies.

They were also rated for their teaching excellence, graduate employment and student satisfaction.

The guide ranks the University of Sussex in 27th place and Brighton University 56th place out of 98 British universities.

The £15.99 guide is intended to be a look at what life is really like on British campuses.

The University of Sussex, which has its campus in Falmer, was awarded full marks for courses in philosophy and sociology.

Politics, American studies and maths all scored 23 out of 24 points.

Drama and film activities were rated excellent.

Testers said the risk of violence on campus was low but did warn about the high cost of living.

At Brighton University, which has campuses in Brighton, Moulsecoomb, Falmer and Eastbourne, philosophy lectures scored maximum points.

However, author Piers Dudgeon did criticise the students' union, which he said failed to represent the voice of students.

The city itself received praise, scoring five out of five for entertainment.