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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.

A
Aston University, Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #416

U
University of Sheffield

Sheffield · QS World #82

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/12

Aston

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

8/12

Sheffield

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 8 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). Aston University, Birmingham is ahead on TEF, established, employment, graduate salary.

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Sheffield at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and University of Sheffield both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Business Studies and Electronic & Electrical Engineering. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: Aston University, Birmingham is about £3,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: Aston University, Birmingham is about £7,360 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sheffield is higher in 12 and Aston University, Birmingham in 9, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Optometry & Ophthalmics: £36,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £27,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 16 and Aston University, Birmingham in 8, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.

#416
QS World
#82
#401
THE World
#108
#39
Guardian UK
#19
1895
Established
1905
No
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Aston University, Birmingham

University of Sheffield

85.2%
89.6%

Satisfaction

Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)

£37,600
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
28.1%

International

International student share

169
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
2

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%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China45.6%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia7.3%
  • 🇮🇳India7%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.5%

Subjects

42 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

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Information Systems & Data Science, Law, Mechanical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, Building & Construction, English Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Marketing, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Biochemistry, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, English Language, Linguistics, Human Resource Management, Accounting, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Technology & Logistics, Adult Nursing, Medicine, Pharmacy, Social Sciences (General), Biological Sciences (General), Management, Statistics.

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

Only at University of Sheffield

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
University of Sheffield
£25,830

Aston University, Birmingham is about £3,250 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
University of Sheffield
£31,360

Aston University, Birmingham is about £7,360 a year cheaper.

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

University of Sheffield

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    81%Satisfaction94%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    64%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    85%Satisfaction95%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    95%Satisfaction89%

  • General Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    75%Satisfaction97%

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    94%Satisfaction90%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,500
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 26 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

University of Sheffield

International Postgraduate Scholarship 2026

£3,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Access to Sheffield Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Sheffield: common questions

Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Sheffield cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: Aston University, Birmingham is about £3,250 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: Aston University, Birmingham is about £7,360 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 University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Business Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Economics, General Engineering, Mathematics, Finance & Actuarial Science, History and 30 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Sheffield better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £27,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Aston University, Birmingham and 94% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Aston University, Birmingham or University of Sheffield offer more courses?

University of Sheffield lists 307 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at University of Sheffield?

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 9 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Clinical & Health Psychology, Design & Fashion, Personal & Professional Development, Biotechnology, Business Information Systems, Health & Social Care, Healthcare Science, Media & Film Studies and 1 more.

What can you study at University of Sheffield but not at Aston University, Birmingham?

University of Sheffield teaches 35 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Physics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Music, Chemistry, Architecture, Biology, Landscape Architecture & Design, Philosophy and 27 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

A
Aston University, Birmingham169 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses