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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.

O
Open University

None · THE World #801

S
Sheffield Hallam University

Sheffield · QS World #1001

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 7 datapoints

We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/7

Open

scored higher in 1 category

VS

6/7

Sheffield Hallam

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

Sheffield Hallam University leads in 6 of 7 categories where both have data (established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Open University is ahead on satisfaction.

Open University vs Sheffield Hallam University at a glance

Open University and Sheffield Hallam University both teach 46 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Computer Science and Sociology & Criminology. Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; Sheffield Hallam University offers 365 courses across 84 subject areas.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Open University is higher in 27 and Sheffield Hallam University in 6, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Physics: £38,500 three years after graduating from Open University, against £25,000 from Sheffield Hallam University. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 22 and Sheffield Hallam University in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#1001
#801
THE World
#801
—
Guardian UK
#63
1969
Established
1843
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Open University

Sheffield Hallam University

89.8%
82.8%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
86.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
14.3%

International

International student share

337
365

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
12

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.

Open

25 countries · 0.2% international

  • 🇩🇪Germany8.9%
  • 🌐Cyprus (European Union)6.7%
  • 🇫🇷France6.7%
  • 🇨🇳China4.4%
  • 🇮🇳India4.4%
VS

Sheffield Hallam

44 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India53%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria15.5%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.3%
  • 🌐Myanmar (Burma)3.5%

Subjects

46 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.

Open University

Sheffield Hallam University

Also taught at both: Computing & IT, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Social Work, Chemistry, Economics, Physics, Accounting, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Language, Politics & International Relations, Environmental Sciences, Health & Social Care, Human Geography & Environment, Management, Biomedical Sciences, Social Sciences (General), Biology, Human Resource Management, Information & Library Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Teacher Training, Adult Nursing, Geography (General), Nursing (General), Statistics, Public Health & Epidemiology, Applied Psychology, Children's Nursing, Creative Writing, English Studies, Learning Disabilities Nursing.

Only at Open University

Only at Sheffield Hallam 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

Open University
No data
Sheffield Hallam University
£18,000

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open University yet.

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.

Open University

Sheffield Hallam University

  • Business & Management (General)

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    95%Satisfaction71%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    91%Satisfaction80%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    96%Satisfaction82%

  • Design & Fashion

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    93%Satisfaction86%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%Satisfaction82%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    No dataSatisfaction75%

  • Mathematics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Software Engineering

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    No dataSatisfaction85%

  • Education Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    89%Satisfaction77%

Showing the 12 largest of 35 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

View all scholarships →

Sheffield Hallam University

GREAT Scholarships 2026

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

TASS: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Executive MBA Scholarships

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Transform Together Scholarships

50%

Deadline: N/A

Vice-Chancellor's Award

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Open University vs Sheffield Hallam University: common questions

What subjects can you study at both Open University and Sheffield Hallam University?

Both universities teach 46 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Design & Fashion, History, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Psychology (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Software Engineering, Education Studies and 34 more.

Is Open University or Sheffield Hallam University better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £32,000 three years after graduating from Open University, and £25,000 from Sheffield Hallam University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at Open University and 71% at Sheffield Hallam University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or Sheffield Hallam University offer more courses?

Sheffield Hallam University lists 365 courses on CourseOptions and Open University lists 337 courses.

What can you study at Open University but not at Sheffield Hallam University?

Open University teaches 22 subject areas that Sheffield Hallam University does not, including Humanities, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Combined & General Studies, Philosophy, Ancient Languages, Classical Studies, English Literature, History of Art & Design and 14 more.

What can you study at Sheffield Hallam University but not at Open University?

Sheffield Hallam University teaches 38 subject areas that Open University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Business Studies, Marketing, Film Production & Cinematography, Medical Imaging, Nutrition & Dietetics, Games Design & Computer Animation, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and 30 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

O
Open University337 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
S
Sheffield Hallam University365 courses · 12 scholarshipsBrowse Courses