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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.

D
Durham University

Durham · QS World #85

U
University of Sheffield

Sheffield · QS World #82

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/10

Durham

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Sheffield

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Durham University leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Sheffield is ahead on ranking, employment, courses.

Durham University vs University of Sheffield at a glance

Durham University and University of Sheffield both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Computer Science and Economics. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £5,170 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: Durham University is about £860 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 20 and University of Sheffield in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £42,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £30,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 11 and University of Sheffield in 10, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#85
QS World
#82
#175
THE World
#108
#6
Guardian UK
#19
1832
Established
1905
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Durham University

University of Sheffield

90.7%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£43,800
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
28.1%

International

International student share

278
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

102
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.

Durham

86 countries · 32.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.4%
  • 🇮🇳India5.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.9%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.6%
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.

Durham University

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: History, Civil Engineering, English Studies, Philosophy, Accounting, Biology, Classical Studies, Music, Ancient Languages, Childhood & Youth Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Management, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Asian Languages & Studies, Biochemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical Specialities, Developmental & Educational Psychology, English Literature, Physical Geography & Climate, English Language, Marketing, Social Sciences (General), Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Durham 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

Durham University
£31,000
University of Sheffield
£25,830

University of Sheffield is about £5,170 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
University of Sheffield
£31,360

Durham University is about £860 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.

Durham University

University of Sheffield

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    87%Satisfaction95%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • General Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    86%Satisfaction97%

  • Law

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemistry

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction93%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Physics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    94%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Durham University

Sir Harry Evans Global Fellowship

£53,333

Deadline: N/A

Durham Inspiring Excellence Scholarships - Undergraduate

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

The Global DBA Scholarships

£25,000

Deadline: Nov 2026

The Mary Ward Postgraduate Scholarship Fund

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

Global Grand Challenges Studentships

£20,780

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

Durham University vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £5,170 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: Durham University is about £860 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 Durham University and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Economics, General Engineering, Law, Psychology (General), Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Archaeology, Chemistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General) and 30 more.

Is Durham University or University of Sheffield better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £34,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £27,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Durham University and 94% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or University of Sheffield offer more courses?

University of Sheffield lists 307 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

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

Durham University teaches 12 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, Anthropology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Natural Sciences, Education Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training, Biotechnology and 4 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 35 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Chemical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Architecture, Biomedical Sciences, Information Systems & Data Science, Landscape Architecture & Design, Planning & Housing, Public Health & Epidemiology and 27 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

D
Durham University278 courses · 102 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses