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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 Leicester

Leicester · QS World #314

U
University of Sheffield

Sheffield · QS World #82

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/12

Leicester

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

9/12

Sheffield

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary). University of Leicester is ahead on TEF, courses, scholarship.

University of Leicester vs University of Sheffield at a glance

University of Leicester and University of Sheffield both teach 52 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Computer Science and Law. University of Leicester offers 351 courses across 72 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,100 a year at University of Leicester and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Leicester is about £730 a year cheaper.

Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sheffield is higher in 15 and University of Leicester in 12, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Health Sciences & Paramedic Science: £36,000 three years after graduating from University of Leicester, against £27,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 16 and University of Leicester in 12, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#314
QS World
#82
#192
THE World
#108
#30
Guardian UK
#19
1921
Established
1905
No
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 Leicester

University of Sheffield

86.2%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

19.3%
28.1%

International

International student share

351
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

28
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.

Leicester

81 countries · 19.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India36.3%
  • 🇨🇦Canada14.8%
  • 🇨🇳China9.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.9%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates1.9%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

52 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 Leicester

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Economics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mechanical Engineering, Ancient Languages, English Studies, Psychology (General), Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Journalism, Software Engineering, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Marketing, Archaeology, English Literature, Human Geography & Environment, Information & Library Studies, Linguistics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Classical Studies, Management, Medicine, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Physical Geography & Climate, Accounting, Anatomy & Pathology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Business Studies, Environmental Sciences, Human Resource Management, Pharmacy, Social Sciences (General), Cultural Studies, Statistics.

Only at University of Leicester

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 Leicester
£25,100
University of Sheffield
£25,830

University of Leicester is about £730 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Leicester
No data
University of Sheffield
£31,360

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Leicester yet.

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 Leicester

University of Sheffield

  • Politics & International Relations

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    83%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    85%Satisfaction94%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction80%

  • Mathematics

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    79%Satisfaction90%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • History

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

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    82%Satisfaction88%

  • General Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    83%Satisfaction97%

  • Chemistry

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction93%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    88%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 30 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Leicester

International Undergraduate Tuition Fee Waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

ULSB International Deans Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Leicester-King Power Thai Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship

£5,000

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 Leicester vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,100 a year at University of Leicester and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Leicester is about £730 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 Leicester and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 52 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Law, Business & Management (General), Biological Sciences (General), Mathematics, Physics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, History, Sociology & Criminology, General Engineering and 40 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Leicester, and £27,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at University of Leicester and 94% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Leicester lists 351 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

University of Leicester teaches 20 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Media & Film Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Genetics & Genomics, Geography (General), Health & Social Care, Applied Computing, History of Art & Design, Biotechnology and 12 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 25 subject areas that University of Leicester does not, including Music, Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Architecture, Biology, Information Systems & Data Science, Landscape Architecture & Design, Philosophy and 17 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Leicester351 courses · 28 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses