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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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University of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

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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

Birmingham

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

1/10

Sheffield

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham 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.

University of Birmingham vs University of Sheffield at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of Sheffield both teach 63 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and History. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £1,260 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Birmingham is about £7,970 a year cheaper.

Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 27 and University of Sheffield in 7, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Pharmacy: £35,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £27,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 24 and University of Birmingham in 7, with 6 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#82
#98
THE World
#108
#18
Guardian UK
#19
1900
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.

University of Birmingham

University of Sheffield

86.7%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
28.1%

International

International student share

663
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
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.

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China55.7%
  • 🇮🇳India9.4%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

63 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 of Birmingham

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Marketing, Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Ancient Languages, Childhood & Youth Studies, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Psychology (General), English Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Planning & Housing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Biochemistry, Business Studies, Environmental Sciences, Medicine, Biology, Classical Studies, Linguistics, Mechanical Engineering, English Language, Information Systems & Data Science, Aerospace Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical Specialities, Dentistry, Social Policy & Public Policy, Accounting, Archaeology, Management, Pharmacy, Adult Nursing, Heritage & Conservation, Materials Science, Social Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Applied Psychology, Biological Sciences (General), English Literature, Human Geography & Environment, Materials Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Anatomy & Pathology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Statistics, Human Resource Management.

Only at University of Birmingham

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

University of Birmingham
£27,090
University of Sheffield
£25,830

University of Sheffield is about £1,260 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of Sheffield
£31,360

University of Birmingham is about £7,970 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 of Birmingham

University of Sheffield

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    83%Satisfaction94%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    79%Satisfaction80%

  • Civil Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    78%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • Philosophy

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    No dataSatisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    85%Satisfaction90%

  • Music

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction96%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    83%Satisfaction88%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Birmingham

Enhanced Chamberlain Award

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

University Music Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

University Music Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

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

University of Birmingham vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £1,260 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Birmingham is about £7,970 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 of Birmingham and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 63 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, History, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Physics, Philosophy, Computer Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mathematics, Music, Sociology & Criminology and 51 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £28,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £27,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Birmingham and 94% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Birmingham or University of Sheffield offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 38 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Health & Social Care, Teacher Training, Geology & Earth Sciences, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Education Studies, History of Art & Design, Theology & Religious Studies, French and 30 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 14 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Architecture, Landscape Architecture & Design, Asian Languages & Studies, Biomedical Engineering, Journalism, Building & Construction, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Zoology & Animal Biology and 6 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses