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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.

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Ulster University

Belfast · QS World #595

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.

2/10

Ulster

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Sheffield

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, courses, scholarship). Ulster University is ahead on employment, international.

Ulster University vs University of Sheffield at a glance

Ulster University and University of Sheffield both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Computer Science and Law. Ulster University offers 170 courses across 66 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,490 a year at Ulster University and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: Ulster University is about £8,340 a year cheaper.

Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 24 and Ulster University in 4, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#595
QS World
#82
#601
THE World
#108
#60
Guardian UK
#19
1968
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.

Ulster University

University of Sheffield

86.4%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.6%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.5%
28.1%

International

International student share

170
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Ulster

45 countries · 32.5% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan27.8%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland21.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.1%
  • 🇮🇳India12.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.6%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

42 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.

Ulster University

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Journalism, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Architecture, Chemical Engineering, Information Systems & Data Science, Planning & Housing, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Building & Construction, Finance & Actuarial Science, Linguistics, Marketing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Software Engineering, Psychology (General), Anatomy & Pathology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Environmental Sciences, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Pharmacy, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Policy & Public Policy, English Literature, Medicine, Human Resource Management, Management.

Only at Ulster 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

Ulster University
£17,490
University of Sheffield
£25,830

Ulster University is about £8,340 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Ulster University
No data
University of Sheffield
£31,360

We do not have reliable international fee data for Ulster 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.

Ulster University

University of Sheffield

  • Politics & International Relations

    No dataSalary (3 years)£27,500
    84%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£38,500
    79%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£25,500
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Civil Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£30,000
    100%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£33,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    No dataSalary (3 years)£23,000
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Music

    No dataSalary (3 years)£23,500
    90%Satisfaction96%

  • English Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction93%

  • General Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£33,000
    77%Satisfaction97%

  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,500
    92%Satisfaction93%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£34,500
    77%Satisfaction85%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    No dataSalary (3 years)£27,500
    83%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 30 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Ulster University

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

Ulster University vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,490 a year at Ulster University and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: Ulster University is about £8,340 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 Ulster University and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Law, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Music, English Studies, General Engineering, History, Business Studies, Mechanical Engineering and 30 more.

Does Ulster University or University of Sheffield offer more courses?

University of Sheffield lists 307 courses on CourseOptions and Ulster University lists 170 courses.

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

Ulster University teaches 24 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Social Work, Irish Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Health & Social Care, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Media & Film Studies and 16 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 35 subject areas that Ulster University does not, including Business & Management (General), Physics, Mathematics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Chemistry, Aerospace Engineering, Biochemistry, Landscape Architecture & Design and 27 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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Ulster University170 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses