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.
Sheffield · QS World #1001
Birmingham · QS World #68
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 12 datapoints
We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
4/12
Sheffield Hallam
scored higher in 4 categories
8/12
Birmingham
scored higher in 8 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Birmingham leads in 8 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). Sheffield Hallam University is ahead on TEF, established, employment, scholarship.
Sheffield Hallam University vs University of Birmingham at a glance
Sheffield Hallam University and University of Birmingham both teach 65 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Law and Politics & International Relations. Sheffield Hallam University offers 365 courses across 84 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,000 a year at Sheffield Hallam University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Sheffield Hallam University is about £9,090 a year cheaper.
Of the 40 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 37 and Sheffield Hallam University in 3. The widest gap is in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: £26,500 three years after graduating from Sheffield Hallam University, against £40,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 39 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Birmingham is higher in 21 and Sheffield Hallam University in 16, with 2 about level.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Sheffield Hallam University
University of Birmingham
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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.
Sheffield Hallam
44 countries · 14.3% international
- 🇮🇳India53%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria15.5%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan7%
- 🌐Kuwait4.3%
- 🌐Myanmar (Burma)3.5%
Birmingham
104 countries · 31.2% international
- 🇨🇳China55.7%
- 🇮🇳India9.4%
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia2%
Subjects
65 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.
Sheffield Hallam University
University of Birmingham
Business & Management (General)
19 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
15 coursesFee not available
Law
8 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
24 coursesTypical fee £23,390 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
4 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
28 coursesTypical fee £28,080 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
13 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £11,250 (PG)
History
2 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
23 coursesTypical fee £27,090 (UG)
Marketing
11 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £24,340 (UG)
Business Studies
14 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £39,060 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
11 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £10,900 (UG)
Health & Social Care
3 coursesFee not available
17 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (PG)
Finance & Actuarial Science
10 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £33,660 (UG)
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
6 coursesTypical fee £19,750 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £31,500 (UG)
Teacher Training
2 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
17 coursesFee not available
Chemistry
7 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £33,660 (PG)
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
16 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
1 courseFee not available
Physics
3 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
14 coursesFee not available
Also taught at both: Civil Engineering, Education Studies, Mathematics, Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Economics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Psychology (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computer Science, Accounting, Environmental Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Geography (General), Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Nursing (General), Software Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Drama & Theatre, General Engineering, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biochemistry, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Language, Planning & Housing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Biology, Mental Health Nursing, Aerospace Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Computing & IT, Creative Writing, English Studies, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Biological Sciences (General), Food Production & Technology, Human Geography & Environment, Biotechnology, Human Resource Management, Midwifery, Statistics, Children's Nursing, Developmental & Educational Psychology.
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
- Sheffield Hallam University
- £18,000
- University of Birmingham
- £27,090
Sheffield Hallam University is about £9,090 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Sheffield Hallam University
- No data
- University of Birmingham
- £23,390
We do not have reliable international fee data for Sheffield Hallam 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.
Sheffield Hallam University
University of Birmingham
Business & Management (General)
£25,000Salary (3 years)£35,00071%Satisfaction79%Law
£21,000Salary (3 years)£27,50082%Satisfaction83%Politics & International Relations
£21,000Salary (3 years)£28,00094%Satisfaction86%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£22,500Salary (3 years)£25,00088%Satisfaction88%History
£20,500Salary (3 years)£26,00086%Satisfaction89%Marketing
£25,500Salary (3 years)£35,00084%Satisfaction79%Business Studies
£26,500Salary (3 years)£35,00073%Satisfaction77%Sociology & Criminology
£22,500Salary (3 years)£25,00083%Satisfaction83%Finance & Actuarial Science
£26,500Salary (3 years)£35,00075%Satisfaction80%Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
£26,500Salary (3 years)£31,50085%SatisfactionNo dataChemistry
£25,500Salary (3 years)£27,00095%Satisfaction93%Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£22,500Salary (3 years)£23,00083%Satisfaction80%
Showing the 12 largest of 41 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveSheffield 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
University of Birmingham
Enhanced Chamberlain Award
£3,500
Deadline: N/A
University Music Scholarships
£3,000
Deadline: Jun 2026
University Music Scholarships
£1,000
Deadline: Jun 2026
FAQ
Sheffield Hallam University vs University of Birmingham: common questions
Is Sheffield Hallam University or University of Birmingham cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,000 a year at Sheffield Hallam University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Sheffield Hallam University is about £9,090 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 Sheffield Hallam University and University of Birmingham?
Both universities teach 65 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Law, Politics & International Relations, Sport & Exercise Sciences, History, Marketing, Business Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Health & Social Care, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Teacher Training and 53 more.
Is Sheffield Hallam University or University of Birmingham better for Business & Management (General)?
Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from Sheffield Hallam University, and £35,000 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 71% at Sheffield Hallam University and 79% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Sheffield Hallam University or University of Birmingham offer more courses?
University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Sheffield Hallam University lists 365 courses.
What can you study at Sheffield Hallam University but not at University of Birmingham?
Sheffield Hallam University teaches 19 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Medical Imaging, Nutrition & Dietetics, Games Design & Computer Animation, Building & Construction, Community & Specialist Nursing, Information & Library Studies, Journalism and 11 more.
What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at Sheffield Hallam University?
University of Birmingham teaches 36 subject areas that Sheffield Hallam University does not, including Philosophy, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Music, Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Theology & Religious Studies, Classical Studies and 28 more.
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