Compare any two UK universities
Select any two universities below and we'll generate an instant, data-driven comparison — rankings, salaries, student satisfaction, international community, and more.
Birmingham · QS World #416
Sheffield · QS World #1001
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 10 datapoints
We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
6/10
Aston
scored higher in 6 categories
4/10
Sheffield Hallam
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
Aston University, Birmingham leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary). Sheffield Hallam University is ahead on established, employment, courses, scholarship.
Aston University, Birmingham vs Sheffield Hallam University at a glance
Aston University, Birmingham and Sheffield Hallam University both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Business & Management (General) and Design & Fashion. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; Sheffield Hallam University offers 365 courses across 84 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £18,000 at Sheffield Hallam University: Sheffield Hallam University is about £4,580 a year cheaper.
Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 25 and Sheffield Hallam University in 1. The widest gap is in Economics: £35,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £27,000 from Sheffield Hallam University. Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 14 and Sheffield Hallam University in 9, with 2 about level.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Aston University, Birmingham
Sheffield Hallam University
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
Scholarships
Number of scholarships
International Community
Where do international students come from?
Top source countries based on official HESA enrolment data. A higher diversity of nationalities often means a richer campus experience.
Aston
67 countries · 22.1% international
- 🇮🇳India40.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria10.2%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan5.9%
- 🌐Kuwait4.2%
- 🇻🇳Vietnam4%
Sheffield Hallam
44 countries · 14.3% international
- 🇮🇳India53%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria15.5%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan7%
- 🌐Kuwait4.3%
- 🌐Myanmar (Burma)3.5%
Subjects
43 subjects you can study at both
Courses listed at each university in the subject, and the typical (median) international fee a year. Select a count to see the courses.
Aston University, Birmingham
Sheffield Hallam University
Business Studies
18 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
4 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (PG)
19 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Design & Fashion
2 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
21 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Marketing
6 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Finance & Actuarial Science
6 coursesTypical fee £23,500 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
4 coursesTypical fee £22,580 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Software Engineering
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Chemical Engineering
Economics
Politics & International Relations
Psychology (General)
Building & Construction
Law
Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, General Engineering, History, Human Resource Management, Management, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, English Language, Media & Film Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Technology & Logistics, Adult Nursing, Biochemistry, Business Information Systems, Health & Social Care, Clinical & Health Psychology, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Sciences (General), Biological Sciences (General), Biotechnology, English Studies, Statistics.
Only at Aston University, Birmingham
Only at Sheffield Hallam University
Fees
What it costs international students
The typical (median) international tuition fee a year across each university's published course fees. Individual courses vary; each course page shows its own fee.
Undergraduate
- Aston University, Birmingham
- £22,580
- Sheffield Hallam University
- £18,000
Sheffield Hallam University is about £4,580 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Aston University, Birmingham
- £24,000
- Sheffield Hallam University
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for Sheffield Hallam University yet.
Outcomes
Graduate outcomes by subject
Median graduate salary three years after graduating, and student satisfaction with teaching, across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject. Source: Discover Uni.
Aston University, Birmingham
Sheffield Hallam University
Business Studies
£30,500Salary (3 years)£26,50082%Satisfaction73%Marketing
£28,500Salary (3 years)£25,50079%Satisfaction84%Finance & Actuarial Science
£30,000Salary (3 years)£26,50085%Satisfaction75%Sociology & Criminology
£23,000Salary (3 years)£22,50089%Satisfaction83%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£32,500Salary (3 years)£32,00064%Satisfaction85%Software Engineering
£33,000Salary (3 years)£28,50084%Satisfaction85%Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
£33,000Salary (3 years)£26,50084%Satisfaction85%Chemical Engineering
£31,000Salary (3 years)£29,50087%Satisfaction78%Economics
£35,500Salary (3 years)£27,00095%Satisfaction83%Politics & International Relations
£27,500Salary (3 years)£21,00081%Satisfaction94%Psychology (General)
£24,500Salary (3 years)£21,00092%Satisfaction82%Building & Construction
£32,500Salary (3 years)£30,50082%Satisfaction79%
Showing the 12 largest of 27 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveAston University, Birmingham
View all scholarships →Sheffield Hallam University
GREAT Scholarships 2026
£10,000
Deadline: N/A
TASS: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship
100%
Deadline: N/A
Executive MBA Scholarships
£5,000
Deadline: N/A
Transform Together Scholarships
50%
Deadline: N/A
Vice-Chancellor's Award
£4,000
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Aston University, Birmingham vs Sheffield Hallam University: common questions
Is Aston University, Birmingham or Sheffield Hallam University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £18,000 at Sheffield Hallam University: Sheffield Hallam University is about £4,580 a year cheaper. These are medians of the international tuition fees each university publishes for its courses; the fee for a specific course is on its course page.
What subjects can you study at both Aston University, Birmingham and Sheffield Hallam University?
Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Marketing, Finance & Actuarial Science, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Chemical Engineering, Economics, Politics & International Relations and 31 more.
Is Aston University, Birmingham or Sheffield Hallam University better for Business Studies?
Business Studies graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £26,500 from Sheffield Hallam University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Aston University, Birmingham and 73% at Sheffield Hallam University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Aston University, Birmingham or Sheffield Hallam University offer more courses?
Sheffield Hallam University lists 365 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.
What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at Sheffield Hallam University?
Aston University, Birmingham teaches 8 subject areas that Sheffield Hallam University does not, including Biomedical Engineering, Information Systems & Data Science, Linguistics, Personal & Professional Development, Healthcare Science, Medicine, Optometry & Ophthalmics and Pharmacy.
What can you study at Sheffield Hallam University but not at Aston University, Birmingham?
Sheffield Hallam University teaches 41 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Medical Imaging, Nutrition & Dietetics, Games Design & Computer Animation, Chemistry, Counselling & Psychotherapy and 33 more.
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