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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
Swansea University

Swansea · QS World #322

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.

2/11

Swansea

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

Sheffield

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary). Swansea University is ahead on courses, scholarship.

Swansea University vs University of Sheffield at a glance

Swansea University and University of Sheffield both teach 64 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Computer Science and Law. Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: Swansea University is about £4,280 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: Swansea University is about £8,410 a year cheaper.

Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sheffield is higher in 34 and Swansea University in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £31,500 three years after graduating from Swansea University, against £38,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 21 and Swansea University in 14, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#322
QS World
#82
#301
THE World
#108
#32
Guardian UK
#19
1920
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.

Swansea University

University of Sheffield

86.1%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.5%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.1%
28.1%

International

International student share

916
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
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.

Swansea

73 countries · 14.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India25.4%
  • 🇨🇳China12.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.2%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.9%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

64 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.

Swansea University

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Business Studies, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Childhood & Youth Studies, Psychology (General), Aerospace Engineering, Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, English Literature, Philosophy, Classical Studies, English Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Biomedical Engineering, Accounting, Physical Geography & Climate, Archaeology, Linguistics, English Language, Environmental Sciences, Journalism, Materials Engineering, Social Policy & Public Policy, Public Health & Epidemiology, Building & Construction, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Marketing, Software Engineering, Zoology & Animal Biology, Information Systems & Data Science, Landscape Architecture & Design, Planning & Housing, Adult Nursing, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Clinical Specialities, Human Resource Management, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Information & Library Studies, Pharmacy, Social Sciences (General), Anatomy & Pathology, International Development, Materials Science, Medicine, Applied Psychology, Biological Sciences (General), Heritage & Conservation, Management.

Only at Swansea 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

Swansea University
£21,550
University of Sheffield
£25,830

Swansea University is about £4,280 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Swansea University
£22,950
University of Sheffield
£31,360

Swansea University is about £8,410 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.

Swansea University

University of Sheffield

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    84%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    82%Satisfaction94%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    No dataSatisfaction80%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Physics

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    91%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    90%Satisfaction93%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    97%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    69%Satisfaction87%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    79%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 38 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Swansea University

History and Heritage Studies: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with Museum Wales (RS950)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with The National Archives (RS948)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship in History with Museum Wales (RS949)

See details

Deadline: N/A

PhD Studentship in Sustainable Fusion Steels: Whole Lifecycle Design of Tokamak Vacuum Vessel Steels (RS964)

See details

Deadline: N/A

Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarships 2025/26

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

Swansea University vs University of Sheffield: common questions

Is Swansea University or University of Sheffield cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: Swansea University is about £4,280 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: Swansea University is about £8,410 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 Swansea University and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 64 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Law, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Economics, Mathematics, Physics, History, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering and 52 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, and £27,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Swansea University and 94% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Swansea University or University of Sheffield offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

Swansea University teaches 33 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Teacher Training, Genetics & Genomics, Education Studies, Media & Film Studies, American & Comparative Studies, Medical Sciences, Health & Social Care, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 25 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 13 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Music, Architecture, Asian Languages & Studies, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Ancient Languages, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Animal Science, Cultural Studies and 5 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

S
Swansea University916 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses