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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.

T
The University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #35

U
University of Sheffield

Sheffield · QS World #82

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

9/10

Edinburgh

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

1/10

Sheffield

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

The University of Edinburgh leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sheffield is ahead on satisfaction.

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Sheffield at a glance

The University of Edinburgh and University of Sheffield both teach 67 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Law and Mathematics. The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £3,770 a year cheaper.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, The University of Edinburgh is higher in 24 and University of Sheffield in 8, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Asian Languages & Studies: £29,000 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, against £21,000 from University of Sheffield. Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 30 and The University of Edinburgh in 4.

World & National Rankings

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

#35
QS World
#82
#29
THE World
#108
#17
Guardian UK
#19
1583
Established
1905
Yes
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.

The University of Edinburgh

University of Sheffield

85.3%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

41.6%
28.1%

International

International student share

936
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

112
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.

Edinburgh

122 countries · 41.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.5%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.3%
  • 🇮🇳India5.4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.7%
  • 🇨🇦Canada2.4%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

67 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.

The University of Edinburgh

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Economics, Business & Management (General), Chemistry, Linguistics, Music, Psychology (General), Architecture, English Literature, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Policy & Public Policy, General Engineering, Animal Science, Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Specialities, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Chemical Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Landscape Architecture & Design, Anatomy & Pathology, Biochemistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Social Sciences (General), Ancient Languages, Archaeology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Cultural Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, International Development, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Zoology & Animal Biology, Aerospace Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biology, Physical Geography & Climate, Biomedical Engineering, Building & Construction, English Language, Management, Software Engineering, Applied Psychology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Statistics, Accounting, Adult Nursing, Marketing, GIS & Remote Sensing, Heritage & Conservation, Technology & Logistics.

Only at The University of Edinburgh

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

The University of Edinburgh
£29,600
University of Sheffield
£25,830

University of Sheffield is about £3,770 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

The University of Edinburgh
No data
University of Sheffield
£31,360

We do not have reliable international fee data for The University of Edinburgh 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.

The University of Edinburgh

University of Sheffield

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    74%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    81%Satisfaction90%

  • Physics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    88%Satisfaction93%

  • Medicine

    £48,500Salary (3 years)£46,500
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    81%Satisfaction87%

  • Philosophy

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    82%Satisfaction88%

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    78%Satisfaction88%

  • Civil Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    87%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 35 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

The University of Edinburgh

Asylum Seeker Scholarship

£21,000

Deadline: N/A

Education Beyond Borders postgraduate scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

Cameron Law Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Online Learning Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Rosedale OSSD University of Edinburgh Scholarship

£10,000

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

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Sheffield: common questions

Is The University of Edinburgh or University of Sheffield cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £3,770 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 The University of Edinburgh and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 67 subject areas: Computer Science, Law, Mathematics, Physics, History, Medicine, Politics & International Relations, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business Studies, Philosophy, Sociology & Criminology, Asian Languages & Studies and 55 more.

Is The University of Edinburgh or University of Sheffield better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £37,000 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, and £38,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 74% at The University of Edinburgh and 95% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does The University of Edinburgh or University of Sheffield offer more courses?

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

What can you study at The University of Edinburgh but not at University of Sheffield?

The University of Edinburgh teaches 49 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, Teacher Training, French, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Veterinary Medicine, Design & Fashion and 41 more.

What can you study at University of Sheffield but not at The University of Edinburgh?

University of Sheffield teaches 10 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including English Studies, Planning & Housing, Journalism, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Materials Engineering, Materials Science, Pharmacy, Dentistry and 2 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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The University of Edinburgh936 courses · 112 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses