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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.

L
Lancaster University

Lancaster · QS World #164

U
University of Sheffield

Sheffield · QS World #82

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/12

Lancaster

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

8/12

Sheffield

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 8 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary). Lancaster University is ahead on ranking, TEF, courses, scholarship.

Lancaster University vs University of Sheffield at a glance

Lancaster University and University of Sheffield both teach 52 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Mathematics and Politics & International Relations. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £2,850 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: Lancaster University is about £7,060 a year cheaper.

Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sheffield is higher in 18 and Lancaster University in 6, with 7 about level. The widest gap is in Information Systems & Data Science: £34,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £38,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 18 and Lancaster University in 11, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#82
#184
THE World
#108
#10
Guardian UK
#19
1964
Established
1905
No
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.

Lancaster University

University of Sheffield

88.5%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
28.1%

International

International student share

526
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
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.

Lancaster

83 countries · 22.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China41.1%
  • 🇮🇳India9.8%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.9%
  • 🇪🇸Spain3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

52 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.

Lancaster University

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Human Geography & Environment, Philosophy, History, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General), Biochemistry, Childhood & Youth Studies, Civil Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Architecture, English Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Software Engineering, English Language, Statistics, Biological Sciences (General), Business Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Public Health & Epidemiology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Zoology & Animal Biology, Ancient Languages, Building & Construction, Clinical Specialities, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Medicine, Cultural Studies, Management, Materials Science, Human Resource Management, Social Policy & Public Policy, Technology & Logistics.

Only at Lancaster 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

Lancaster University
£28,680
University of Sheffield
£25,830

University of Sheffield is about £2,850 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of Sheffield
£31,360

Lancaster University is about £7,060 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.

Lancaster University

University of Sheffield

  • Business & Management (General)

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction80%

  • Mathematics

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

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction91%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    80%Satisfaction95%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    68%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • Linguistics

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    94%Satisfaction94%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    85%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 32 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Lancaster University

India Scholarship – Postgraduate

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

LPDP Scholarship 2026

100%

Deadline: N/A

Lancaster Sanctuary Fellowship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Master's Scholarship for Black British Students

100%

Deadline: N/A

Fulgoni Scholarship

£5,000

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

Lancaster University vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £2,850 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: Lancaster University is about £7,060 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 Lancaster University and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 52 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Physics, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Law, Linguistics, Chemical Engineering and 40 more.

Is Lancaster University or University of Sheffield better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £30,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Lancaster University and 80% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of Sheffield offer more courses?

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 19 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Media & Film Studies, Geography (General), Operational Research, Pharmacology, Ecology & Conservation, Fine Art, Natural Sciences, Design & Fashion and 11 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 25 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Music, Aerospace Engineering, Biology, Landscape Architecture & Design, Planning & Housing, Asian Languages & Studies, Biomedical Engineering, Journalism and 17 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

L
Lancaster University526 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses