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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.

U
UCL (University College London)

Camden · QS World #8

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.

8/10

UCL (University College London)

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Sheffield

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

UCL (University College London) leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sheffield is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

UCL (University College London) vs University of Sheffield at a glance

UCL (University College London) and University of Sheffield both teach 65 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Ancient Languages and Computer Science. UCL (University College London) offers 1,131 courses across 109 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £3,970 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £3,340 a year cheaper.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, UCL (University College London) is higher in 34 and University of Sheffield in 0. The widest gap is in Law: £41,000 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), against £25,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 24 and UCL (University College London) in 7, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#8
QS World
#82
#22
THE World
#108
#9
Guardian UK
#19
1826
Established
1905
Yes
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.

UCL (University College London)

University of Sheffield

86.5%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£46,400
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80.4%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

51.9%
28.1%

International

International student share

1131
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

18
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.

UCL (University College London)

127 countries · 51.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.3%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.2%
  • 🇮🇳India3.4%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.4%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

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.

UCL (University College London)

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Chemical Engineering, Architecture, General Engineering, History, Philosophy, Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Chemistry, Clinical Specialities, Law, Building & Construction, Linguistics, Mechanical Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Human Geography & Environment, Archaeology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Biology, English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Software Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Music, Social Policy & Public Policy, Statistics, Biomedical Engineering, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Landscape Architecture & Design, Information Systems & Data Science, Materials Science, Medicine, Pharmacy, Social Sciences (General), Anatomy & Pathology, Classical Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Information & Library Studies, Biological Sciences (General), English Language, International Development, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Business Studies, English Literature, Marketing, Zoology & Animal Biology, Accounting, Heritage & Conservation.

Only at UCL (University College 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

UCL (University College London)
£29,800
University of Sheffield
£25,830

University of Sheffield is about £3,970 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

UCL (University College London)
£34,700
University of Sheffield
£31,360

University of Sheffield is about £3,340 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.

UCL (University College London)

University of Sheffield

  • Ancient Languages

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Computer Science

    £51,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    80%Satisfaction95%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Psychology (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    79%Satisfaction91%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    93%Satisfaction80%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £45,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    79%Satisfaction89%

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    73%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    83%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 34 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

UCL (University College London)

Commercial Bar Opportunity Scholarship

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

UCL Department of Arts and Sciences (UASc) Interdisciplinary Excellence PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Law Society Pro Bono Bursary

£250

Deadline: N/A

Alonso Gurmendi Dunkelberg, UCL Graduate Research Scholarship

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

UCL (University College London) vs University of Sheffield: common questions

Is UCL (University College London) or University of Sheffield cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £3,970 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £3,340 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 UCL (University College London) and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 65 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Ancient Languages, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Psychology (General), Biomedical Sciences, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Sociology & Criminology, Economics and 53 more.

Is UCL (University College London) or University of Sheffield better for Ancient Languages?

Ancient Languages graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), and £24,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at UCL (University College London) and 92% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does UCL (University College London) or University of Sheffield offer more courses?

UCL (University College London) lists 1,131 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

What can you study at UCL (University College London) but not at University of Sheffield?

UCL (University College London) teaches 44 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Eastern European Languages, French, Geology & Earth Sciences, Italian, Anthropology, Design & Fashion, Spanish & Portuguese and 36 more.

What can you study at University of Sheffield but not at UCL (University College London)?

University of Sheffield teaches 12 subject areas that UCL (University College London) does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Asian Languages & Studies, Journalism, Adult Nursing, Environmental Sciences, Materials Engineering, Animal Science, Applied Psychology and 4 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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UCL (University College London)1,131 courses · 18 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses