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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.

B
Birkbeck, University of London

London · QS World #354

U
University of Sheffield

Sheffield · QS World #82

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/11

Birkbeck

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

Sheffield

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary). Birkbeck, University of London is ahead on established, courses, scholarship.

Birkbeck, University of London vs University of Sheffield at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and University of Sheffield both teach 46 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General) and Sociology & Criminology. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: Birkbeck, University of London is about £7,330 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: Birkbeck, University of London is about £10,510 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 11 and University of Sheffield in 11, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £32,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 13 and Birkbeck, University of London in 7, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
#82
#301
THE World
#108
—
Guardian UK
#19
1823
Established
1905
No
Russell Group
Yes
Bronze
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Birkbeck, University of London

University of Sheffield

85.1%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
28.1%

International

International student share

361
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
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.

Birkbeck

60 countries · 12% international

  • 🇺🇸United States10.8%
  • 🇨🇳China9.7%
  • 🇮🇳India8.6%
  • 🇪🇸Spain4.8%
  • 🇮🇹Italy4.3%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

46 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.

Birkbeck, University of London

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Management, Chemistry, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Asian Languages & Studies, Business Studies, Linguistics, Information Systems & Data Science, Social Sciences (General), Biology, Classical Studies, English Literature, Marketing, Planning & Housing, Archaeology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Information & Library Studies, International Development, Software Engineering, Applied Psychology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Environmental Sciences, GIS & Remote Sensing, Human Geography & Environment, Statistics, Biological Sciences (General), Heritage & Conservation, Human Resource Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

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

Birkbeck, University of London
£18,500
University of Sheffield
£25,830

Birkbeck, University of London is about £7,330 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
University of Sheffield
£31,360

Birkbeck, University of London is about £10,510 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.

Birkbeck, University of London

University of Sheffield

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction94%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    76%Satisfaction80%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    94%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    72%Satisfaction95%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    94%Satisfaction90%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    84%Satisfaction100%

  • Ancient Languages

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    85%Satisfaction92%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Biochemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    91%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Birkbeck, University of London

Bonnart Trust Sanctuary Scholarship

£18,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Cyril Taylor Scholarships

£15,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Breakspear scholarship

£12,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

MA History of Art scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Legal & General Sustainable Leaders Bursary

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

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

Birkbeck, University of London vs University of Sheffield: common questions

Is Birkbeck, University of London or University of Sheffield cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: Birkbeck, University of London is about £7,330 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: Birkbeck, University of London is about £10,510 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 Birkbeck, University of London and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 46 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Law, Computer Science, History, Economics, Mathematics, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, Psychology (General), Biochemistry and 34 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or University of Sheffield better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £27,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 96% at Birkbeck, University of London and 94% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Birkbeck, University of London or University of Sheffield offer more courses?

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

What can you study at Birkbeck, University of London but not at University of Sheffield?

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 23 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Media & Film Studies, History of Art & Design, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Drama & Theatre, Geology & Earth Sciences and 15 more.

What can you study at University of Sheffield but not at Birkbeck, University of London?

University of Sheffield teaches 31 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Physics, Childhood & Youth Studies, General Engineering, Music, Chemical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 23 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

B
Birkbeck, University of London361 courses · 16 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses