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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
Birmingham City University

Birmingham · QS World #1001

U
University of Sheffield

Sheffield · QS World #82

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 4 datapoints

We looked at 4 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/4

Birmingham City

scored higher in 1 category

VS

3/4

Sheffield

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 3 of 4 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, courses). Birmingham City University is ahead on scholarship.

Birmingham City University vs University of Sheffield at a glance

Birmingham City University and University of Sheffield both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science and Business & Management (General). Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: Birmingham City University is about £7,260 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sheffield is higher in 20 and Birmingham City University in 3. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £38,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 14 and Birmingham City University in 8, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#82
—
THE World
#108
—
Guardian UK
#19
N/A
Established
1905
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Birmingham City University

University of Sheffield

No data
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
28.1%

International

International student share

284
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
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.

Birmingham City

No published data on international students

    VS

    Sheffield

    100 countries · 28.1% international

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

    Subjects

    40 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.

    Birmingham City University

    University of Sheffield

    Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Business Studies, English Studies, Journalism, Mathematics, Information Systems & Data Science, Psychology (General), Accounting, Economics, Landscape Architecture & Design, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Clinical Specialities, Technology & Logistics, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, English Language, English Literature, Human Resource Management, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology.

    Only at Birmingham City University

    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

    Birmingham City University
    £18,570
    University of Sheffield
    £25,830

    Birmingham City University is about £7,260 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    University of Sheffield
    £31,360

    We do not have reliable international fee data for Birmingham City 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.

    Birmingham City University

    University of Sheffield

    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
      78%Satisfaction95%

    • Business & Management (General)

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
      83%Satisfaction80%

    • Civil Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
      92%Satisfaction89%

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
      80%Satisfaction94%

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
      89%Satisfaction88%

    • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
      81%Satisfaction87%

    • Finance & Actuarial Science

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
      80%Satisfaction86%

    • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

      £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
      82%Satisfaction90%

    • Architecture

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
      95%Satisfaction92%

    • Music

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
      95%Satisfaction96%

    • Software Engineering

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
      86%Satisfaction90%

    • Biomedical Sciences

      £31,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
      86%Satisfaction91%

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

    Scholarships for International Students

    Exclusive

    Birmingham City University

    Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Millennium Point Scholarship

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Scott Trust Bursary

    £7,415

    Deadline: N/A

    Santander Scholarship

    £2,000

    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

    Birmingham City University vs University of Sheffield: common questions

    Is Birmingham City University or University of Sheffield cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: Birmingham City University is about £7,260 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 Birmingham City University and University of Sheffield?

    Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Civil Engineering, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Marketing, Building & Construction, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 28 more.

    Is Birmingham City University or University of Sheffield better for Computer Science?

    Computer Science graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £38,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 78% at Birmingham City University and 95% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Birmingham City University or University of Sheffield offer more courses?

    University of Sheffield lists 307 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

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

    Birmingham City University teaches 28 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Design & Fashion, Nursing (General), Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Media & Film Studies, Health & Social Care, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Fine Art and 20 more.

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

    University of Sheffield teaches 37 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including Physics, General Engineering, History, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Aerospace Engineering, Biology, Philosophy and 29 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

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

    B
    Birmingham City University284 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
    U
    University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses