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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 Lancashire

Preston · QS World #1001

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.

4/11

Lancashire

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Sheffield

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary). University of Lancashire is ahead on established, employment, courses, scholarship.

University of Lancashire vs University of Sheffield at a glance

University of Lancashire and University of Sheffield both teach 48 subject areas, the largest being Law, Business & Management (General) and Computer Science. University of Lancashire offers 363 courses across 82 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,330 a year at University of Lancashire and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Lancashire is about £8,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,250 a year at University of Lancashire and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Lancashire is about £12,110 a year cheaper.

Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sheffield is higher in 28 and University of Lancashire in 3. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £24,500 three years after graduating from University of Lancashire, against £38,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 19 and University of Lancashire in 12, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#82
#1001
THE World
#108
#76
Guardian UK
#19
1828
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 Lancashire

University of Sheffield

86.8%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£28,100
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.1%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

20.5%
28.1%

International

International student share

363
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

15
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.

Lancashire

74 countries · 20.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India34.3%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates9.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8%
  • 🌐Nepal6.6%
  • 🇨🇦Canada4.4%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

48 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 Lancashire

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Building & Construction, Business Studies, History, Adult Nursing, Chemical Engineering, English Studies, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Sciences (General), Architecture, Childhood & Youth Studies, Journalism, Management, Software Engineering, Biology, Accounting, Dentistry, Public Health & Epidemiology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, English Language, Marketing, Ancient Languages, Animal Science, Archaeology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, English Literature, Human Resource Management, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Pharmacy, Technology & Logistics, Microbiology & Cell Biology.

Only at University of Lancashire

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 Lancashire
£17,330
University of Sheffield
£25,830

University of Lancashire is about £8,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Lancashire
£19,250
University of Sheffield
£31,360

University of Lancashire is about £12,110 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 Lancashire

University of Sheffield

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    88%Satisfaction80%

  • Computer Science

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    71%Satisfaction95%

  • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    79%Satisfaction95%

  • Music

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    98%Satisfaction96%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Medicine

    No dataSalary (3 years)£46,500
    71%Satisfaction83%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    71%Satisfaction94%

  • Physics

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    79%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 33 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Lancashire

Fee Waiver Scholarship for Sanctuary Seekers

100%

Deadline: N/A

Care-experienced and Estranged Student Graduation Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

Degree Apprentice Care Leaver Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

Estranged Student Support

See details

Deadline: N/A

Journalism Innovation and Leadership PGCert Scholarship

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 Lancashire vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,330 a year at University of Lancashire and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Lancashire is about £8,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,250 a year at University of Lancashire and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Lancashire is about £12,110 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 Lancashire and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 48 subject areas: Law, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Music, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Medicine, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Civil Engineering and 36 more.

Is University of Lancashire or University of Sheffield better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Lancashire, and £25,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at University of Lancashire and 94% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Lancashire lists 363 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

University of Lancashire teaches 34 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Design & Fashion, Social Work, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Games Design & Computer Animation, Film Production & Cinematography, Mental Health Nursing, Safety & Mining Engineering and 26 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 29 subject areas that University of Lancashire does not, including Politics & International Relations, Chemistry, Economics, Biochemistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Landscape Architecture & Design, Philosophy and 21 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Lancashire363 courses · 15 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses