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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
University of Bristol

Bristol · QS World #57

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

Bristol

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Sheffield

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Bristol 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.

University of Bristol vs University of Sheffield at a glance

University of Bristol and University of Sheffield both teach 53 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Politics & International Relations and Physics. University of Bristol offers 479 courses across 83 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £5,470 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Bristol is about £2,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bristol is higher in 28 and University of Sheffield in 1. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £40,500 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, against £30,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 16 and University of Bristol in 11, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#57
QS World
#82
#80
THE World
#108
#13
Guardian UK
#19
1876
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 Bristol

University of Sheffield

88%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£43,100
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

77.4%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.6%
28.1%

International

International student share

479
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

54
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.

Bristol

104 countries · 33.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.5%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.8%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

53 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 Bristol

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Biochemistry, General Engineering, Philosophy, Social Policy & Public Policy, Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Dentistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, Ancient Languages, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Accounting, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Medicine, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Human Geography & Environment, Information Systems & Data Science, Marketing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Asian Languages & Studies, Classical Studies, Linguistics, Software Engineering, Archaeology, Business Studies, Statistics, Zoology & Animal Biology, Materials Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Animal Science, Human Resource Management, Information & Library Studies.

Only at University of Bristol

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 Bristol
£31,300
University of Sheffield
£25,830

University of Sheffield is about £5,470 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Bristol
£28,460
University of Sheffield
£31,360

University of Bristol is about £2,900 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 Bristol

University of Sheffield

  • Mathematics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Physics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    81%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £48,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    90%Satisfaction93%

  • Chemistry

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction93%

  • English Studies

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Civil Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Music

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    99%Satisfaction96%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Bristol

Black Heritage PhD Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Black heritage PhD scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships for applicants of Black heritage

100%

Deadline: N/A

British Council scholarships for Women

100%

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

University of Bristol vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £5,470 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Bristol is about £2,900 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 Bristol and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 53 subject areas: Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Physics, Economics, Computer Science, Law, Management, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Anatomy & Pathology, History, Chemistry and 41 more.

Is University of Bristol or University of Sheffield better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £34,500 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, and £29,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at University of Bristol and 90% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Bristol lists 479 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

University of Bristol teaches 30 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Education Studies, Drama & Theatre, Film Production & Cinematography, Social Work, Veterinary Medicine, Design & Fashion, History of Art & Design and 22 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 24 subject areas that University of Bristol does not, including Chemical Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture & Design, Planning & Housing, Biomedical Engineering, Journalism, Building & Construction, Clinical Specialities and 16 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Bristol479 courses · 54 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses