A university has fallen 37 places in an annual poll to find the best university according to students.

The University of Sussex dropped from 26th place in 2009 to 63rd place in the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2010.

The survey asked more than 13,000 undergraduates to rate their university on 21 different factors, from the quality of teaching to the social life on campus.

The University of Brighton also dropped from 85th position to 97th.

However bosses at the universities said the National Student Survey provides a better indication of students’ feelings.

A University of Sussex spokesman said: “In 2010 the National Student Survey, which provides the official national measure of student satisfaction, was completed by 1,500 students at Sussex and 500,000 students in the UK. It placed us in the top ten for the student experience.

“By contrast this private sector survey is based on responses from a very small number of students, last year's included fewer than 50 from Sussex.

“We will of course continue to do all we can to improve the opportunities for our students.”

A University of Brighton spokesman said: “We understand that very few of our students took part in this particular survey. We would rely more upon the National Student Survey which showed an overwhelming number of our students have given the University of Brighton the highest marks.

“More than 90% said they were happy and satisfied with their courses in a whole range of subjects.”

The University of Chichester, which was not placed last year, was joint 48th position.