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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 Chester

Chester · Guardian UK #91

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.

5/10

Chester

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

5/10

Sheffield

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Chester and University of Sheffield are evenly matched: each leads in 5 of 10 categories where both have data. University of Chester is ahead on established, employment, international, courses, scholarship; University of Sheffield on ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, graduate salary.

University of Chester vs University of Sheffield at a glance

University of Chester and University of Sheffield both teach 41 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Business & Management (General) and Politics & International Relations. University of Chester offers 329 courses across 73 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £14,950 a year at University of Chester and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Chester is about £10,880 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,500 a year at University of Chester and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Chester is about £15,860 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sheffield is higher in 17 and University of Chester in 1, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £23,000 three years after graduating from University of Chester, against £38,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 18 and University of Chester in 2, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#82
#1501
THE World
#108
#91
Guardian UK
#19
1839
Established
1905
No
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 Chester

University of Sheffield

83.9%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£27,400
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.7%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

28.7%
28.1%

International

International student share

329
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.

Chester

52 countries · 28.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India32.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria11.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka7.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

41 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 Chester

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, English Studies, Marketing, Chemistry, General Engineering, Information Systems & Data Science, Adult Nursing, Biology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Accounting, Animal Science, Ancient Languages, Asian Languages & Studies, Business Studies, Clinical Specialities, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Building & Construction, English Language, English Literature, Medicine, Biological Sciences (General), Information & Library Studies, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Chester

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 Chester
£14,950
University of Sheffield
£25,830

University of Chester is about £10,880 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Chester
£15,500
University of Sheffield
£31,360

University of Chester is about £15,860 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 Chester

University of Sheffield

  • Business & Management (General)

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    79%Satisfaction80%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    83%Satisfaction95%

  • Psychology (General)

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    82%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • History

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Software Engineering

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    66%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    No dataSatisfaction90%

  • Music

    £17,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    73%Satisfaction96%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    77%Satisfaction86%

  • Journalism

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    78%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Chester

NHS Learning Support Fund

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Visit Us Travel Bursary

£100

Deadline: N/A

Futures Employability Fund

See details

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 Chester vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £14,950 a year at University of Chester and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Chester is about £10,880 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,500 a year at University of Chester and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Chester is about £15,860 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 Chester and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 41 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Psychology (General), Law, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, History, Software Engineering, Mathematics, Music and 29 more.

Is University of Chester or University of Sheffield better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £21,500 three years after graduating from University of Chester, and £30,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 79% at University of Chester and 80% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Chester lists 329 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

University of Chester teaches 32 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Design & Fashion, Geography (General), Nutrition & Dietetics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Mental Health Nursing, Agriculture & Land Management, Counselling & Psychotherapy and 24 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 36 subject areas that University of Chester does not, including Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Physics, Economics, Aerospace Engineering, Architecture, Biochemistry, Landscape Architecture & Design and 28 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Chester329 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses