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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 Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

U
University of Sheffield

Sheffield · QS World #82

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

9/11

Cambridge

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

Sheffield

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Sheffield is ahead on employment, scholarship.

University of Cambridge vs University of Sheffield at a glance

University of Cambridge and University of Sheffield both teach 55 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Biological Sciences (General) and History. University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £7,060 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £9,940 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 18 and University of Sheffield in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £59,500 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, against £32,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 12 and University of Sheffield in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

#6
QS World
#82
#3
THE World
#108
#2
Guardian UK
#19
1209
Established
1905
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
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 Cambridge

University of Sheffield

92.1%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£49,800
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

76.6%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.2%
28.1%

International

International student share

336
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.

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

55 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 Cambridge

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Economics, Architecture, Philosophy, Biology, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, English Studies, Music, Chemistry, Clinical Specialities, Finance & Actuarial Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Psychology (General), Archaeology, Human Geography & Environment, Information Systems & Data Science, Planning & Housing, Aerospace Engineering, Anatomy & Pathology, Biochemistry, Landscape Architecture & Design, Linguistics, Management, Software Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Building & Construction, Materials Science, Ancient Languages, Classical Studies, Medicine, Business Studies, International Development, Social Policy & Public Policy, Zoology & Animal Biology, Animal Science, Dentistry, Heritage & Conservation, Information & Library Studies, Statistics, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Cambridge

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 Cambridge
£32,890
University of Sheffield
£25,830

University of Sheffield is about £7,060 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Cambridge
£41,300
University of Sheffield
£31,360

University of Sheffield is about £9,940 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 Cambridge

University of Sheffield

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    No dataSatisfaction94%

  • History

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • General Engineering

    £39,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    87%Satisfaction97%

  • Mathematics

    £44,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    94%Satisfaction90%

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    94%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £63,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    £49,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    96%Satisfaction94%

  • Economics

    £59,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Architecture

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Philosophy

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £43,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • English Studies

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    96%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 18 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Cambridge

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 Cambridge vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £7,060 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £9,940 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 Cambridge and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 55 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Biological Sciences (General), History, Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, General Engineering, Mathematics, Asian Languages & Studies, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Physics, Biomedical Sciences and 43 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £34,000 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, and £27,500 from University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Cambridge lists 336 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

University of Cambridge teaches 24 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Genetics & Genomics, Theology & Religious Studies, Veterinary Medicine, Celtic Studies, Creative Writing, Eastern European Languages, Geography (General), History of Art & Design and 16 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 22 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Biomedical Engineering, Journalism, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Adult Nursing, Developmental & Educational Psychology and 14 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses