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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

U
University of Sheffield

Sheffield · QS World #82

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/10

Open

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Sheffield

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Open University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, courses.

Open University vs University of Sheffield at a glance

Open University and University of Sheffield both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Business & Management (General) and Law. Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Open University is higher in 14 and University of Sheffield in 14, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in General Engineering: £43,500 three years after graduating from Open University, against £33,000 from University of Sheffield. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 12 and Open University in 10, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#82
#801
THE World
#108
—
Guardian UK
#19
1969
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.

Open University

University of Sheffield

89.8%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
28.1%

International

International student share

337
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Open

25 countries · 0.2% international

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

Open University

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Philosophy, English Language, Biology, Chemistry, English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Software Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Information Systems & Data Science, Linguistics, Public Health & Epidemiology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Social Sciences (General), Ancient Languages, English Literature, International Development, Physical Geography & Climate, Accounting, Classical Studies, Human Resource Management, Statistics, Adult Nursing, Management, Applied Psychology, Information & Library Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Open 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

Open University
No data
University of Sheffield
£25,830

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

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
University of Sheffield
£31,360

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

University of Sheffield

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    91%Satisfaction95%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    95%Satisfaction80%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    96%Satisfaction94%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    93%Satisfaction90%

  • General Engineering

    £43,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    88%Satisfaction97%

  • Physics

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    98%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    89%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

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

Open University vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

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

Is Open University or University of Sheffield better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Open University, and £38,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at Open University and 95% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or University of Sheffield offer more courses?

Open University lists 337 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

Open University teaches 25 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Humanities, Education Studies, Social Work, Computing & IT, Combined & General Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Health & Social Care, Design & Fashion and 17 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 34 subject areas that Open University does not, including Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Architecture, Biochemistry, Landscape Architecture & Design, Mechanical Engineering and 26 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

O
Open University337 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses