Skip to main content

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 Liverpool

Liverpool · QS World #139

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.

3/10

Liverpool

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Sheffield

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary). University of Liverpool is ahead on TEF, established, courses.

University of Liverpool vs University of Sheffield at a glance

University of Liverpool and University of Sheffield both teach 61 subject areas, the largest being Music, Politics & International Relations and Sociology & Criminology. University of Liverpool offers 793 courses across 94 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £6,170 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Liverpool is about £1,360 a year cheaper.

Of the 39 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sheffield is higher in 29 and University of Liverpool in 7, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £32,500 three years after graduating from University of Liverpool, against £38,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 22 and University of Liverpool in 11, with 5 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#139
QS World
#82
#143
THE World
#108
#28
Guardian UK
#19
1881
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 Liverpool

University of Sheffield

87.7%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£34,300
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.9%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.1%
28.1%

International

International student share

793
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.

Liverpool

93 countries · 24.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China40.6%
  • 🇮🇳India17.1%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

61 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 Liverpool

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Classical Studies, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Aerospace Engineering, General Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering, English Literature, Architecture, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Planning & Housing, Psychology (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, English Language, Marketing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Software Engineering, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Information Systems & Data Science, Medicine, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Policy & Public Policy, Accounting, Anatomy & Pathology, Clinical Specialities, Dentistry, Human Geography & Environment, Ancient Languages, Pharmacy, Zoology & Animal Biology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Environmental Sciences, Human Resource Management, Management, Biological Sciences (General), GIS & Remote Sensing, Heritage & Conservation, Information & Library Studies.

Only at University of Liverpool

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 Liverpool
£32,000
University of Sheffield
£25,830

University of Sheffield is about £6,170 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Liverpool
£30,000
University of Sheffield
£31,360

University of Liverpool is about £1,360 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 Liverpool

University of Sheffield

  • Music

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    91%Satisfaction96%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    82%Satisfaction90%

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • English Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    90%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    77%Satisfaction95%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    95%Satisfaction87%

  • Philosophy

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    86%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 39 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Liverpool

Liverpool Advancement Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Opportunity Bursary

£3,000

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 Liverpool vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £6,170 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Liverpool is about £1,360 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 Liverpool and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 61 subject areas: Music, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, History, Archaeology, Law, Mathematics, Asian Languages & Studies, English Studies, Computer Science, Physics, Business & Management (General) and 49 more.

Is University of Liverpool or University of Sheffield better for Music?

Music graduates earn a median £19,000 three years after graduating from University of Liverpool, and £23,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at University of Liverpool and 96% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Liverpool lists 793 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

University of Liverpool teaches 33 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Media & Film Studies, French, Italian, German & Scandinavian Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Irish Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Ecology & Conservation and 25 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 16 subject areas that University of Liverpool does not, including Chemical Engineering, Landscape Architecture & Design, Journalism, Linguistics, Building & Construction, Adult Nursing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, International Development and 8 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Liverpool793 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses