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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

U
University of Sheffield

Sheffield · QS World #82

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/9

Cardiff

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

6/9

Sheffield

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, scholarship). Cardiff University is ahead on established, employment, courses.

Cardiff University vs University of Sheffield at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Sheffield both teach 59 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Politics & International Relations and Computer Science. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £4,870 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: Cardiff University is about £5,410 a year cheaper.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 17 and University of Sheffield in 14, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Optometry & Ophthalmics: £39,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £27,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 25 and Cardiff University in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#82
#201
THE World
#108
#34
Guardian UK
#19
1883
Established
1905
Yes
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.

Cardiff University

University of Sheffield

86.3%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
28.1%

International

International student share

362
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.

Cardiff

89 countries · 16% international

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

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

59 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

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Music, Architecture, Biological Sciences (General), Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, History, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General), Ancient Languages, Biomedical Engineering, English Studies, Philosophy, Planning & Housing, Childhood & Youth Studies, Clinical Specialities, Psychology (General), Software Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Sciences, English Literature, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Accounting, Business Studies, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Public Health & Epidemiology, Asian Languages & Studies, Linguistics, Pharmacy, Archaeology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Building & Construction, Dentistry, English Language, Medicine, Adult Nursing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Environmental Sciences, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Statistics, Technology & Logistics, Applied Psychology, Microbiology & Cell Biology.

Only at Cardiff 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

Cardiff University
£30,700
University of Sheffield
£25,830

University of Sheffield is about £4,870 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Sheffield
£31,360

Cardiff University is about £5,410 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.

Cardiff University

University of Sheffield

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    80%Satisfaction89%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    70%Satisfaction95%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    81%Satisfaction94%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    83%Satisfaction92%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    73%Satisfaction85%

  • General Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    83%Satisfaction97%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 34 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

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

Cardiff University vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £4,870 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: Cardiff University is about £5,410 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 University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 59 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Mathematics, Law, Chemistry, Physics, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Journalism, Mechanical Engineering, General Engineering and 47 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Sheffield better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £30,000 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at Cardiff University and 89% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Sheffield offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 27 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Welsh Studies, Computing & IT, Toxicology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Forensic Science, Media & Film Studies, Medical Imaging and 19 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 18 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Chemical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Biochemistry, Biology, Information Systems & Data Science, Landscape Architecture & Design, Anatomy & Pathology, International Development and 10 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses