Skip to main content

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.

R
Robert Gordon University

Aberdeen · QS World #1001

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.

3/11

Robert Gordon

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

Sheffield

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). Robert Gordon University is ahead on established, employment, scholarship.

Robert Gordon University vs University of Sheffield at a glance

Robert Gordon University and University of Sheffield both teach 31 subject areas, the largest being Law, Business Studies and Computer Science. Robert Gordon University offers 151 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,300 a year at Robert Gordon University and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: Robert Gordon University is about £7,530 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,060 a year at Robert Gordon University and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: Robert Gordon University is about £12,300 a year cheaper.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Robert Gordon University is higher in 10 and University of Sheffield in 5, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £27,000 three years after graduating from Robert Gordon University, against £38,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 13 and Robert Gordon University in 0, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#82
#801
THE World
#108
#81
Guardian UK
#19
1729
Established
1905
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Robert Gordon University

University of Sheffield

87.9%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£33,900
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

88.5%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.4%
28.1%

International

International student share

151
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

43
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.

Robert Gordon

48 countries · 14.4% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria36.2%
  • 🇮🇳India16.2%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana9.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.5%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland5.9%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

31 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.

Robert Gordon University

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Information & Library Studies, Pharmacy, Adult Nursing, Biomedical Sciences, Building & Construction, Finance & Actuarial Science, Management, Public Health & Epidemiology, Biomedical Engineering, Journalism, Accounting, Applied Psychology, Marketing, Social Sciences (General), Cultural Studies, Human Resource Management.

Only at Robert Gordon 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

Robert Gordon University
£18,300
University of Sheffield
£25,830

Robert Gordon University is about £7,530 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Robert Gordon University
£19,060
University of Sheffield
£31,360

Robert Gordon University is about £12,300 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.

Robert Gordon University

University of Sheffield

  • Law

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    85%Satisfaction95%

  • General Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    84%Satisfaction97%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    77%Satisfaction87%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    85%Satisfaction85%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    84%Satisfaction95%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Architecture

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    85%Satisfaction90%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    81%Satisfaction90%

  • Pharmacy

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    77%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Robert Gordon University

Bolashak Scholarship Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

CONACyT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia)

100%

Deadline: N/A

Chevening Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Postgraduate/PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

100%

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

Robert Gordon University vs University of Sheffield: common questions

Is Robert Gordon University or University of Sheffield cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,300 a year at Robert Gordon University and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: Robert Gordon University is about £7,530 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,060 a year at Robert Gordon University and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: Robert Gordon University is about £12,300 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 Robert Gordon University and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 31 subject areas: Law, Business Studies, Computer Science, General Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Architecture and 19 more.

Is Robert Gordon University or University of Sheffield better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Robert Gordon University, and £25,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at Robert Gordon University and 94% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Robert Gordon University or University of Sheffield offer more courses?

University of Sheffield lists 307 courses on CourseOptions and Robert Gordon University lists 151 courses.

What can you study at Robert Gordon University but not at University of Sheffield?

Robert Gordon University teaches 20 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Design & Fashion, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Media & Film Studies, Fine Art, Nursing (General), Social Work, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery and 12 more.

What can you study at University of Sheffield but not at Robert Gordon University?

University of Sheffield teaches 46 subject areas that Robert Gordon University does not, including Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Physics, Mathematics, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Studies, History, Music and 38 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

R
Robert Gordon University151 courses · 43 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses