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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.

C
Cardiff University

Cardiff · QS World #179

S
Sheffield Hallam University

Sheffield · QS World #1001

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.

7/11

Cardiff

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

4/11

Sheffield Hallam

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary). Sheffield Hallam University is ahead on established, employment, courses, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs Sheffield Hallam University at a glance

Cardiff University and Sheffield Hallam University both teach 64 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion and Law. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Sheffield Hallam University offers 365 courses across 84 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £18,000 at Sheffield Hallam University: Sheffield Hallam University is about £12,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 24 and Sheffield Hallam University in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £26,500 from Sheffield Hallam University. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 14 and Sheffield Hallam University in 11, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#1001
#201
THE World
#801
#34
Guardian UK
#63
1883
Established
1843
Yes
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Cardiff University

Sheffield Hallam University

86.3%
82.8%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
86.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
14.3%

International

International student share

362
365

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
12

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.

Cardiff

89 countries · 16% international

  • 🇨🇳China22.8%
  • 🇮🇳India14.5%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia7.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
VS

Sheffield Hallam

44 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India53%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria15.5%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.3%
  • 🌐Myanmar (Burma)3.5%

Subjects

64 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.

Cardiff University

Sheffield Hallam University

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Physics, Medical Imaging, Accounting, Biological Sciences (General), Film Production & Cinematography, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Sciences (General), Economics, Psychology (General), Architecture, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computing & IT, Counselling & Psychotherapy, General Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Building & Construction, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, History, Mental Health Nursing, Planning & Housing, Adult Nursing, Education Studies, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Social Work, Technology & Logistics, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Language, English Studies, Environmental Sciences, Geography (General), Microbiology & Cell Biology, Midwifery, Nursing (General), Statistics, Applied Computing, Applied Psychology, Biotechnology, Children's Nursing, Creative Writing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Pharmacology, Public Health & Epidemiology, Public Relations.

Only at Cardiff University

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

Cardiff University
£30,700
Sheffield Hallam University
£18,000

Sheffield Hallam University is about £12,700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
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.

Cardiff University

Sheffield Hallam University

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    81%Satisfaction82%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    80%Satisfaction86%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    84%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    70%Satisfaction80%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    81%Satisfaction75%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    73%Satisfaction82%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Software Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    87%Satisfaction85%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    92%Satisfaction85%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

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

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs Sheffield Hallam University: common questions

Is Cardiff University or Sheffield Hallam University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £18,000 at Sheffield Hallam University: Sheffield Hallam University is about £12,700 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 Cardiff University and Sheffield Hallam University?

Both universities teach 64 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Law, Chemistry, Business Studies, Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, Management, Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Journalism and 52 more.

Is Cardiff University or Sheffield Hallam University better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £21,000 from Sheffield Hallam University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Cardiff University and 82% at Sheffield Hallam University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or Sheffield Hallam University offer more courses?

Sheffield Hallam University lists 365 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at Sheffield Hallam University?

Cardiff University teaches 22 subject areas that Sheffield Hallam University does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Welsh Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Specialities, English Literature and 14 more.

What can you study at Sheffield Hallam University but not at Cardiff University?

Sheffield Hallam University teaches 20 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Nutrition & Dietetics, Games Design & Computer Animation, Chemical Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing, Information & Library Studies, Aerospace Engineering and 12 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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Sheffield Hallam University365 courses · 12 scholarshipsBrowse Courses