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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.

I
Imperial College London

Kensington and Chelsea · QS World #2

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.

8/11

Imperial College London

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Sheffield

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Imperial College London vs University of Sheffield at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Sheffield both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Civil Engineering and Mathematics. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: Imperial College London is about £1,230 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £8,540 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 16 and University of Sheffield in 1. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £65,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £38,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 9 and University of Sheffield in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#82
#8
THE World
#108
#5
Guardian UK
#19
1907
Established
1905
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Imperial College London

University of Sheffield

88.9%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
28.1%

International

International student share

254
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
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.

Imperial College London

106 countries · 52.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China41%
  • 🇮🇳India5.8%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.1%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore3.6%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

35 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.

Imperial College London

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Economics, Aerospace Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical Specialities, Mechanical Engineering, Statistics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Building & Construction, Anatomy & Pathology, Materials Engineering, Software Engineering, Business Studies, Management, Medicine, Human Geography & Environment, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Physical Geography & Climate.

Only at Imperial College 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

Imperial College London
£24,600
University of Sheffield
£25,830

Imperial College London is about £1,230 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Sheffield
£31,360

University of Sheffield is about £8,540 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.

Imperial College London

University of Sheffield

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    97%Satisfaction95%

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    82%Satisfaction87%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    76%Satisfaction87%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • Biomedical Engineering

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    85%Satisfaction94%

  • General Engineering

    £46,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    90%Satisfaction97%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £45,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £37,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    92%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Imperial College London

Engineering Sainsbury Management Fellows Scholarship

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

Science Sainsbury Management Fellows Scholarship

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

J.P. Morgan Scholarship in Quantitative Finance

£45,100

Deadline: May 2026

Dean's Impact Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

W L "Bill" Byrnes Global Scholarship

£30,000

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

Imperial College London vs University of Sheffield: common questions

Is Imperial College London or University of Sheffield cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: Imperial College London is about £1,230 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £8,540 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 Imperial College London and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 35 subject areas: Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering and 23 more.

Is Imperial College London or University of Sheffield better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £38,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Imperial College London and 95% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Imperial College London or University of Sheffield offer more courses?

University of Sheffield lists 307 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

What can you study at Imperial College London but not at University of Sheffield?

Imperial College London teaches 7 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Ecology & Conservation, Geology & Earth Sciences, Design & Fashion, Biotechnology, Healthcare Science, Applied Biology & Human Biology and Genetics & Genomics.

What can you study at University of Sheffield but not at Imperial College London?

University of Sheffield teaches 42 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, English Studies, History, Law, Music, Sociology & Criminology, Architecture, Information Systems & Data Science and 34 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

I
Imperial College London254 courses · 90 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses