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.
Loughborough · QS World #203
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.
6/12
Loughborough
scored higher in 6 categories
6/12
Sheffield
scored higher in 6 categories
Quick Verdict
Loughborough University and University of Sheffield are evenly matched: each leads in 6 of 12 categories where both have data. Loughborough University is ahead on ranking, TEF, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship; University of Sheffield on ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international.
Loughborough University vs University of Sheffield at a glance
Loughborough University and University of Sheffield both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Physics and Politics & International Relations. Loughborough University offers 416 courses across 63 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,750 a year at Loughborough University and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £3,920 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at Loughborough University and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: Loughborough University is about £1,860 a year cheaper.
Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Loughborough University is higher in 23 and University of Sheffield in 2, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Architecture: £39,000 three years after graduating from Loughborough University, against £23,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 14 and Loughborough University in 5, with 2 about level.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Loughborough University
University of Sheffield
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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.
Loughborough
90 countries · 18.4% international
- 🇨🇳China24.7%
- 🇮🇳India13.2%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.6%
- 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates3.7%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria3.4%
Sheffield
100 countries · 28.1% international
- 🇨🇳China45.6%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia7.3%
- 🇮🇳India7%
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.6%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.5%
Subjects
45 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.
Loughborough University
University of Sheffield
Computer Science
25 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (UG)
Physics
22 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
14 coursesTypical fee £23,950 (UG)
16 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (UG)
Mathematics
19 coursesTypical fee £23,950 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (UG)
Civil Engineering
14 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (UG)
Manufacturing & Production Engineering
17 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (UG)
Chemistry
16 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
9 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (UG)
Chemical Engineering
12 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (UG)
English Studies
11 coursesTypical fee £23,950 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
6 coursesTypical fee £31,750 (PG)
11 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (UG)
General Engineering
Management
14 coursesTypical fee £26,500 (UG)
1 courseFee not available
Materials Engineering
13 coursesTypical fee £29,750 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (UG)
Physical Geography & Climate
13 coursesTypical fee £26,850 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (UG)
Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, History, Psychology (General), Aerospace Engineering, Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Law, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Building & Construction, Planning & Housing, Biology, Architecture, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Human Geography & Environment, Information & Library Studies, Accounting, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical Specialities, English Literature, Marketing, Social Sciences (General), Ancient Languages, Materials Science, Human Resource Management, Social Policy & Public Policy, Technology & Logistics.
Only at Loughborough 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
- Loughborough University
- £29,750
- University of Sheffield
- £25,830
University of Sheffield is about £3,920 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Loughborough University
- £29,500
- University of Sheffield
- £31,360
Loughborough University is about £1,860 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.
Loughborough University
University of Sheffield
Computer Science
£40,500Salary (3 years)£38,50086%Satisfaction95%Physics
£30,500Salary (3 years)£29,50096%Satisfaction87%Politics & International Relations
£30,500Salary (3 years)£27,500No dataSatisfaction94%Mathematics
£31,000Salary (3 years)£29,50085%Satisfaction90%Civil Engineering
£34,500Salary (3 years)£30,00087%Satisfaction89%Manufacturing & Production Engineering
£33,000Salary (3 years)£33,00088%Satisfaction95%Chemistry
£27,000Salary (3 years)£27,50085%Satisfaction93%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£34,500Salary (3 years)£33,50090%Satisfaction87%Chemical Engineering
£36,000Salary (3 years)£32,00095%Satisfaction86%English Studies
£24,500Salary (3 years)£23,500No dataSatisfaction93%General Engineering
£34,500Salary (3 years)£33,00086%Satisfaction97%Materials Engineering
£34,000Salary (3 years)£30,50088%Satisfaction96%
Showing the 12 largest of 27 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveLoughborough University
Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowships
£50,000
Deadline: N/A
Care Leaver's Scholarship
100%
Deadline: N/A
Commonwealth Scholarships
100%
Deadline: N/A
Global Impact Scholarship
100%
Deadline: N/A
Inspiring Success Scholarship
100%
Deadline: Jul 2026
University of Sheffield
International Postgraduate Scholarship 2026
£3,000
Deadline: Jul 2026
Access to Sheffield Scholarships
£1,000
Deadline: Jun 2026
FAQ
Loughborough University vs University of Sheffield: common questions
Is Loughborough University or University of Sheffield cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,750 a year at Loughborough University and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £3,920 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at Loughborough University and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: Loughborough University is about £1,860 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 Loughborough University and University of Sheffield?
Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Computer Science, Physics, Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, English Studies, Business & Management (General), General Engineering and 33 more.
Is Loughborough University or University of Sheffield better for Computer Science?
Computer Science graduates earn a median £40,500 three years after graduating from Loughborough University, and £38,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at Loughborough University and 95% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Loughborough University or University of Sheffield offer more courses?
Loughborough University lists 416 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.
What can you study at Loughborough University but not at University of Sheffield?
Loughborough University teaches 18 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Natural Sciences, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Computing & IT, Fine Art and 10 more.
What can you study at University of Sheffield but not at Loughborough University?
University of Sheffield teaches 32 subject areas that Loughborough University does not, including Music, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Information Systems & Data Science, Landscape Architecture & Design, Philosophy, Asian Languages & Studies, Journalism and 24 more.
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