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.
Birmingham
Sheffield · QS World #82
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 8 datapoints
We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
2/8
University College Birmingham
scored higher in 2 categories
6/8
Sheffield
scored higher in 6 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Sheffield leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). University College Birmingham is ahead on international, scholarship.
University College Birmingham vs University of Sheffield at a glance
University College Birmingham and University of Sheffield both teach 21 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General) and Computer Science. University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at University College Birmingham and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University College Birmingham is about £12,330 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,000 a year at University College Birmingham and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University College Birmingham is about £14,360 a year cheaper.
Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sheffield is higher in 2 and University College Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £20,000 three years after graduating from University College Birmingham, against £30,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 4 and University of Sheffield in 4.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
University College Birmingham
University of Sheffield
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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.
University College Birmingham
26 countries · 47% international
- 🌐Nepal48.9%
- 🇮🇳India24.7%
- 🇨🇳China11.5%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%
Sheffield
100 countries · 28.1% international
- 🇨🇳China45.6%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia7.3%
- 🇮🇳India7%
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.6%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.5%
Subjects
21 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.
University College Birmingham
University of Sheffield
Politics & International Relations
1 courseTypical fee £17,000 (PG)
16 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
4 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (UG)
Computer Science
2 coursesTypical fee £13,500 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (UG)
Childhood & Youth Studies
Civil Engineering
Sociology & Criminology
Building & Construction
Finance & Actuarial Science
Planning & Housing
Business Studies
Manufacturing & Production Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Psychology (General)
Architecture
Public Health & Epidemiology
Also taught at both: Software Engineering, Marketing, Adult Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Applied Psychology.
Only at University College Birmingham
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
- University College Birmingham
- £13,500
- University of Sheffield
- £25,830
University College Birmingham is about £12,330 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University College Birmingham
- £17,000
- University of Sheffield
- £31,360
University College Birmingham is about £14,360 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.
University College Birmingham
University of Sheffield
Business & Management (General)
£20,000Salary (3 years)£30,50093%Satisfaction80%Computer Science
No dataSalary (3 years)£38,50087%Satisfaction95%Finance & Actuarial Science
£20,000Salary (3 years)£30,50089%Satisfaction86%Planning & Housing
No dataSalary (3 years)£29,00091%Satisfaction87%Architecture
No dataSalary (3 years)£23,50091%Satisfaction92%Software Engineering
No dataSalary (3 years)£38,50089%Satisfaction90%Adult Nursing
No dataSalary (3 years)£27,50091%Satisfaction89%Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
No dataSalary (3 years)£38,50086%Satisfaction90%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity College Birmingham
GREAT Scholarship
£10,000
Deadline: N/A
Vice-Chancellor's Award
100%
Deadline: N/A
Dean's Award
50%
Deadline: N/A
Early Action Scholarship
£4,500
Deadline: Jul 2026
Alumni Scholarship
25%
Deadline: N/A
University of Sheffield
International Postgraduate Scholarship 2026
£3,000
Deadline: Jul 2026
Access to Sheffield Scholarships
£1,000
Deadline: Jun 2026
FAQ
University College Birmingham vs University of Sheffield: common questions
Is University College Birmingham or University of Sheffield cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at University College Birmingham and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University College Birmingham is about £12,330 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,000 a year at University College Birmingham and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University College Birmingham is about £14,360 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 University College Birmingham and University of Sheffield?
Both universities teach 21 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, Civil Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Building & Construction, Finance & Actuarial Science, Planning & Housing, Business Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and 9 more.
Is University College Birmingham or University of Sheffield better for Business & Management (General)?
Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from University College Birmingham, and £30,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at University College Birmingham and 80% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University College Birmingham or University of Sheffield offer more courses?
University of Sheffield lists 307 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.
What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at University of Sheffield?
University College Birmingham teaches 15 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Food Science, Health & Social Care, Food Production & Technology, Crafts & Applied Arts, Education Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology and 7 more.
What can you study at University of Sheffield but not at University College Birmingham?
University of Sheffield teaches 56 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, English Studies, General Engineering, History, Law, Music and 48 more.
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