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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.

R
Royal Holloway, University of London

Egham · QS World #485

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.

4/11

Royal Holloway

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Sheffield

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, employment, international). Royal Holloway, University of London is ahead on established, graduate salary, courses, scholarship.

Royal Holloway, University of London vs University of Sheffield at a glance

Royal Holloway, University of London and University of Sheffield both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Computer Science and Law. Royal Holloway, University of London offers 351 courses across 60 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £970 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,400 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: Royal Holloway, University of London is about £4,960 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Royal Holloway, University of London is higher in 14 and University of Sheffield in 3, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £41,000 three years after graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London, against £38,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 16 and Royal Holloway, University of London in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#485
QS World
#82
#401
THE World
#108
#45
Guardian UK
#19
1879
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.

Royal Holloway, University of London

University of Sheffield

85.7%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£36,152.9
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.6%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.7%
28.1%

International

International student share

351
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

32
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.

Royal Holloway

79 countries · 16.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India17.8%
  • 🇨🇳China8.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.8%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

39 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.

Royal Holloway, University of London

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: English Literature, Ancient Languages, Biology, English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Biomedical Sciences, Marketing, Psychology (General), Human Geography & Environment, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Physical Geography & Climate, Zoology & Animal Biology, Applied Psychology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Accounting, Archaeology, Business Studies, Developmental & Educational Psychology, English Language, Human Resource Management, Social Sciences (General), Biological Sciences (General), Cultural Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Royal Holloway, University of London

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

Royal Holloway, University of London
£26,800
University of Sheffield
£25,830

University of Sheffield is about £970 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Royal Holloway, University of London
£26,400
University of Sheffield
£31,360

Royal Holloway, University of London is about £4,960 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.

Royal Holloway, University of London

University of Sheffield

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    83%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£25,500
    84%Satisfaction94%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£33,500
    98%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    83%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Music

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    84%Satisfaction96%

  • Physics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Biochemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Philosophy

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Royal Holloway, University of London

International Partners Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Katayoon Behboodi Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

Mary Anning Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

Barbara Raw Scholarships for English

See details

Deadline: N/A

Barbara Raw for English Access Scholarship 2026

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

Royal Holloway, University of London vs University of Sheffield: common questions

Is Royal Holloway, University of London or University of Sheffield cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £970 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,400 a year at Royal Holloway, University of London and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: Royal Holloway, University of London is about £4,960 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 Royal Holloway, University of London and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 39 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Law, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Music, Physics, History, Business & Management (General), Biochemistry and 27 more.

Is Royal Holloway, University of London or University of Sheffield better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London, and £27,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Royal Holloway, University of London and 94% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Royal Holloway, University of London or University of Sheffield offer more courses?

Royal Holloway, University of London lists 351 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

What can you study at Royal Holloway, University of London but not at University of Sheffield?

Royal Holloway, University of London teaches 21 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, German & Scandinavian Studies, Drama & Theatre, Media & Film Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Geography (General), Liberal Arts, Computing & IT and 13 more.

What can you study at University of Sheffield but not at Royal Holloway, University of London?

University of Sheffield teaches 38 subject areas that Royal Holloway, University of London does not, including Civil Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, General Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Aerospace Engineering and 30 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

R
Royal Holloway, University of London351 courses · 32 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses