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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 Kent

Canterbury · QS World #415

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.

1/11

Kent

scored higher in 1 category

VS

10/11

Sheffield

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Kent is ahead on courses.

University of Kent vs University of Sheffield at a glance

University of Kent and University of Sheffield both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Computer Science and Economics. University of Kent offers 335 courses across 63 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,500 a year at University of Kent and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Kent is about £2,330 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,700 a year at University of Kent and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Kent is about £10,660 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Kent is higher in 12 and University of Sheffield in 7, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £41,500 three years after graduating from University of Kent, against £30,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 18 and University of Kent in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#415
QS World
#82
#401
THE World
#108
#47
Guardian UK
#19
1965
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 Kent

University of Sheffield

84%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£33,600
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
28.1%

International

International student share

335
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.

Kent

85 countries · 16% international

  • 🇮🇳India9.9%
  • 🇨🇳China6.8%
  • 🇹🇭Thailand6.6%
  • 🇫🇷France5.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.3%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

43 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 Kent

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Applied Psychology, Biochemistry, Business Studies, English Studies, Marketing, Accounting, General Engineering, Management, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Pharmacy, Social Sciences (General), Astronomy & Astrophysics, English Literature, Ancient Languages, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Linguistics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Environmental Sciences, Statistics, Animal Science, Archaeology, Classical Studies, Human Resource Management, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Kent

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 Kent
£23,500
University of Sheffield
£25,830

University of Kent is about £2,330 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Kent
£20,700
University of Sheffield
£31,360

University of Kent is about £10,660 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 Kent

University of Sheffield

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    79%Satisfaction95%

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    85%Satisfaction89%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £41,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    82%Satisfaction87%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    83%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Biology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • Business & Management (General)

    No dataSalary (3 years)£30,500
    77%Satisfaction80%

  • History

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    93%Satisfaction93%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Kent

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 Kent vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,500 a year at University of Kent and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Kent is about £2,330 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,700 a year at University of Kent and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Kent is about £10,660 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 Kent and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Physics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Mathematics, Biology, Business & Management (General), History and 31 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,500 three years after graduating from University of Kent, and £27,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at University of Kent and 94% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Kent lists 335 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

University of Kent teaches 20 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Forensic Science, Creative Writing, Film Production & Cinematography, Drama & Theatre, Media & Film Studies and 12 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 34 subject areas that University of Kent does not, including Civil Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Music, Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Information Systems & Data Science and 26 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Kent335 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses