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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 Exeter

Devon · QS World #136

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

Exeter

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

5/10

Sheffield

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Exeter vs University of Sheffield at a glance

University of Exeter and University of Sheffield both teach 55 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Mathematics and Physics. University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Exeter is about £880 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Exeter is about £5,810 a year cheaper.

Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Exeter is higher in 26 and University of Sheffield in 6. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £39,000 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, against £30,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 22 and University of Exeter in 7, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#136
QS World
#82
#170
THE World
#108
#14
Guardian UK
#19
1922
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 Exeter

University of Sheffield

87.7%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£39,800
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.8%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.2%
28.1%

International

International student share

873
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

2
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.

Exeter

111 countries · 22.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China25.1%
  • 🇮🇳India10.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong10%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States2.8%
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 Exeter

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Psychology (General), Human Geography & Environment, Ancient Languages, Archaeology, Chemical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Zoology & Animal Biology, Anatomy & Pathology, Biochemistry, Business Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Accounting, Physical Geography & Climate, Biology, Environmental Sciences, Information Systems & Data Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Management, Clinical Specialities, Marketing, Biomedical Engineering, Landscape Architecture & Design, Biological Sciences (General), Human Resource Management, Social Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Building & Construction, Cultural Studies, English Language, Medicine, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Materials Science, Statistics, Animal Science.

Only at University of Exeter

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 Exeter
£24,950
University of Sheffield
£25,830

University of Exeter is about £880 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Exeter
£25,550
University of Sheffield
£31,360

University of Exeter is about £5,810 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 Exeter

University of Sheffield

  • Politics & International Relations

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Physics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £39,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    84%Satisfaction80%

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    92%Satisfaction93%

  • Law

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • English Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    92%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    83%Satisfaction95%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £39,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • General Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    59%Satisfaction97%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    83%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 32 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Exeter

Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

Carolyn and Andrew Trevorrow Memorial Fund Travel Bursaries

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 Exeter vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Exeter is about £880 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Exeter is about £5,810 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 Exeter and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 55 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Physics, Business & Management (General), History, Law, English Studies, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Classical Studies, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 43 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, and £27,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Exeter and 94% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Exeter lists 873 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

University of Exeter teaches 36 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including History of Art & Design, Media & Film Studies, Theology & Religious Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Geography (General), Drama & Theatre, Film Production & Cinematography and 28 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 22 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Music, Chemistry, Aerospace Engineering, Architecture, Planning & Housing, Asian Languages & Studies, Journalism, Linguistics 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 Exeter873 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses