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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 Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

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.

8/10

Leeds

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Sheffield

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Leeds leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sheffield is ahead on ranking, satisfaction.

University of Leeds vs University of Sheffield at a glance

University of Leeds and University of Sheffield both teach 67 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Physics and Politics & International Relations. University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,700 a year at University of Leeds and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £7,870 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,500 a year at University of Leeds and £31,360 at University of Sheffield, so the two cost about the same.

Of the 41 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Leeds is higher in 30 and University of Sheffield in 10, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Asian Languages & Studies: £28,500 three years after graduating from University of Leeds, against £21,000 from University of Sheffield. Of the 42 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 30 and University of Leeds in 9, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#77
QS World
#82
#118
THE World
#108
#15
Guardian UK
#19
1904
Established
1905
Yes
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 Leeds

University of Sheffield

85.7%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£37,200
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.7%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.5%
28.1%

International

International student share

579
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

13
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.

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

67 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 Leeds

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Business & Management (General), English Studies, Asian Languages & Studies, Chemical Engineering, Linguistics, Management, Aerospace Engineering, Ancient Languages, Biomedical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Information Systems & Data Science, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Marketing, Planning & Housing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biochemistry, English Literature, Psychology (General), Social Policy & Public Policy, Architecture, Biological Sciences (General), Dentistry, Materials Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Environmental Sciences, Human Resource Management, International Development, Journalism, Software Engineering, GIS & Remote Sensing, Information & Library Studies, Medicine, Pharmacy, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General), Statistics, Adult Nursing, Anatomy & Pathology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Cultural Studies, Developmental & Educational Psychology, English Language, Materials Science, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Applied Psychology, Classical Studies.

Only at University of Leeds

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 Leeds
£33,700
University of Sheffield
£25,830

University of Sheffield is about £7,870 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Leeds
£31,500
University of Sheffield
£31,360

About the same.

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 Leeds

University of Sheffield

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    85%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    79%Satisfaction95%

  • Chemistry

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    85%Satisfaction93%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    83%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Music

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    87%Satisfaction96%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    82%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    94%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 42 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

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 Leeds vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,700 a year at University of Leeds and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £7,870 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,500 a year at University of Leeds and £31,360 at University of Sheffield, so the two cost about the same. 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 Leeds and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 67 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Physics, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Law, Mathematics, Economics, Music, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies and 55 more.

Is University of Leeds or University of Sheffield better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from University of Leeds, and £30,000 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University of Leeds and 89% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Leeds lists 579 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

University of Leeds teaches 43 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Design & Fashion, Media & Film Studies, Education Studies, Personal & Professional Development, Geology & Earth Sciences, Drama & Theatre, Medical Imaging, Theology & Religious Studies and 35 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 10 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Landscape Architecture & Design, Building & Construction, Clinical Specialities, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Accounting, Animal Science, Archaeology and 2 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Leeds579 courses · 13 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses