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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 Cumbria

Lancaster · Guardian UK #101

U
University of Sheffield

Sheffield · QS World #82

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/9

Cumbria

scored higher in 1 category

VS

8/9

Sheffield

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 8 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Cumbria is ahead on employment.

University of Cumbria vs University of Sheffield at a glance

University of Cumbria and University of Sheffield both teach 18 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Business & Management (General) and Computer Science. University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at University of Cumbria and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Cumbria is about £9,830 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Cumbria and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Cumbria is about £14,460 a year cheaper.

Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sheffield is higher in 9 and University of Cumbria in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Cumbria, against £30,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 7 and University of Cumbria in 4.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#82
—
THE World
#108
#101
Guardian UK
#19
2007
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 Cumbria

University of Sheffield

80.5%
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

89.4%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

2.6%
28.1%

International

International student share

136
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
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.

Cumbria

14 countries · 2.6% international

  • 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
  • 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

18 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 Cumbria

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Physical Geography & Climate, Applied Psychology, Management.

Only at University of Cumbria

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 Cumbria
£16,000
University of Sheffield
£25,830

University of Cumbria is about £9,830 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Cumbria
£16,900
University of Sheffield
£31,360

University of Cumbria is about £14,460 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 Cumbria

University of Sheffield

  • Business & Management (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    85%Satisfaction80%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    98%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    70%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    100%Satisfaction91%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    77%Satisfaction98%

  • Zoology & Animal Biology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction93%

  • Adult Nursing

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    74%Satisfaction89%

  • Environmental Sciences

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    77%Satisfaction94%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    85%Satisfaction100%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Cumbria

Future Talent Award

£8,000

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 Cumbria vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at University of Cumbria and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Cumbria is about £9,830 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Cumbria and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Cumbria is about £14,460 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 Cumbria and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 18 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General), Biomedical Sciences, Business Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Biomedical Engineering and 6 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Cumbria, and £30,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at University of Cumbria and 80% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Sheffield lists 307 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.

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

University of Cumbria teaches 22 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Design & Fashion, Forestry & Arboriculture, Ecology & Conservation, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nursing (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation and 14 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 59 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Politics & International Relations, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, English Studies, General Engineering, History and 51 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Cumbria136 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses
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University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses