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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.

S
SOAS University of London

London · QS World #458

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.

1/11

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 1 category

VS

10/11

Sheffield

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). SOAS University of London is ahead on scholarship.

SOAS University of London vs University of Sheffield at a glance

SOAS University of London and University of Sheffield both teach 22 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Asian Languages & Studies and Ancient Languages. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: SOAS University of London is about £2,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: SOAS University of London is about £6,040 a year cheaper.

Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 9 and University of Sheffield in 2. The widest gap is in Politics & International Relations: £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £27,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 8 and SOAS University of London in 2, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#458
QS World
#82
#401
THE World
#108
#86
Guardian UK
#19
1916
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.

SOAS University of London

University of Sheffield

84.1%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
28.1%

International

International student share

296
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
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.

SOAS University of London

67 countries · 25.7% international

  • 🇨🇳China10.9%
  • 🇮🇳India10.6%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.6%
  • 🇫🇷France3.6%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

22 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.

SOAS University of London

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Social Sciences (General), Accounting, Cultural Studies, Management, Archaeology, Biological Sciences (General), Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at SOAS 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

SOAS University of London
£23,780
University of Sheffield
£25,830

SOAS University of London is about £2,050 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
University of Sheffield
£31,360

SOAS University of London is about £6,040 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.

SOAS University of London

University of Sheffield

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Ancient Languages

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

  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    77%Satisfaction94%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction80%

  • Economics

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Music

    No dataSalary (3 years)£23,500
    87%Satisfaction96%

  • History

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • International Development

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    83%Satisfaction90%

  • Linguistics

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    98%Satisfaction94%

  • Philosophy

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction93%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

SOAS University of London

SOAS International Academic Excellence Scholarship

£20,000

Deadline: May 2026

SOAS Sustainable Development Goal Scholarship

£15,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

SOAS Academic Excellence Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: May 2026

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

SOAS University of London vs University of Sheffield: common questions

Is SOAS University of London or University of Sheffield cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: SOAS University of London is about £2,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: SOAS University of London is about £6,040 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 SOAS University of London and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 22 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Asian Languages & Studies, Ancient Languages, Law, Business & Management (General), Economics, Music, History, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science and 10 more.

Is SOAS University of London or University of Sheffield better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £27,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at SOAS 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 SOAS University of London or University of Sheffield offer more courses?

University of Sheffield lists 307 courses on CourseOptions and SOAS University of London lists 296 courses.

What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at University of Sheffield?

SOAS University of London teaches 7 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Media & Film Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), History of Art & Design, Theology & Religious Studies and Liberal Arts.

What can you study at University of Sheffield but not at SOAS University of London?

University of Sheffield teaches 55 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Studies, General Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and 47 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

S
SOAS University of London296 courses · 27 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses