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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.

N
Northumbria University, Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne · QS World #528

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.

2/11

Northumbria

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

Sheffield

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). Northumbria University, Newcastle is ahead on employment, scholarship.

Northumbria University, Newcastle vs University of Sheffield at a glance

Northumbria University, Newcastle and University of Sheffield both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Business Studies and Electronic & Electrical Engineering. Northumbria University, Newcastle offers 305 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £5,980 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £11,510 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sheffield is higher in 26 and Northumbria University, Newcastle in 2. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £25,500 three years after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle, against £38,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 18 and Northumbria University, Newcastle in 8, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#528
QS World
#82
#401
THE World
#108
#53
Guardian UK
#19
1969
Established
1905
No
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.

Northumbria University, Newcastle

University of Sheffield

83.5%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£31,000
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.1%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.5%
28.1%

International

International student share

305
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

7
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.

Northumbria

85 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India35.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.3%
  • 🌐Kuwait4%
  • 🇨🇳China3.8%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.8%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

43 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.

Northumbria University, Newcastle

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: English Studies, Psychology (General), Chemistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Music, Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Public Health & Epidemiology, Accounting, Adult Nursing, Environmental Sciences, Linguistics, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, English Language, Human Geography & Environment, Heritage & Conservation, Human Resource Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology.

Only at Northumbria University, Newcastle

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

Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850
University of Sheffield
£25,830

Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £5,980 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850
University of Sheffield
£31,360

Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £11,510 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.

Northumbria University, Newcastle

University of Sheffield

  • Computer Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    87%Satisfaction95%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    73%Satisfaction94%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    77%Satisfaction80%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    78%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    98%Satisfaction93%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    85%Satisfaction90%

  • English Literature

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    94%Satisfaction91%

  • Physics

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • Architecture

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    90%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Northumbria University, Newcastle

2025/26 PGT Sanctuary Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

2025/26 UG Sanctuary Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Castle Peak Postgraduate Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

GEMS Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Horiba Foundation UK Scholarship

See details

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

Northumbria University, Newcastle vs University of Sheffield: common questions

Is Northumbria University, Newcastle or University of Sheffield cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £5,980 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £11,510 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 Northumbria University, Newcastle and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Computer Science, Business Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Law, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, History, Civil Engineering, Mathematics, English Literature, Physics and 31 more.

Is Northumbria University, Newcastle or University of Sheffield better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £25,500 three years after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle, and £38,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Northumbria University, Newcastle and 95% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Northumbria University, Newcastle or University of Sheffield offer more courses?

University of Sheffield lists 307 courses on CourseOptions and Northumbria University, Newcastle lists 305 courses.

What can you study at Northumbria University, Newcastle but not at University of Sheffield?

Northumbria University, Newcastle teaches 28 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Social Work, Media & Film Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Fine Art, Forensic Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 20 more.

What can you study at University of Sheffield but not at Northumbria University, Newcastle?

University of Sheffield teaches 34 subject areas that Northumbria University, Newcastle does not, including Chemical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Information Systems & Data Science, Landscape Architecture & Design, Philosophy, Planning & Housing, Asian Languages & Studies, Biomedical Engineering and 26 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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Northumbria University, Newcastle305 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses