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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 Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

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.

7/10

Manchester

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

Sheffield

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Manchester vs University of Sheffield at a glance

University of Manchester and University of Sheffield both teach 70 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Physics and Chemical Engineering. University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £6,470 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Manchester is about £4,560 a year cheaper.

Of the 39 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 23 and University of Sheffield in 9, with 7 about level. The widest gap is in Pharmacy: £36,000 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, against £27,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 32 and University of Manchester in 5, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#40
QS World
#82
#56
THE World
#108
#29
Guardian UK
#19
1824
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 Manchester

University of Sheffield

85.1%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£36,500
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

40%
28.1%

International

International student share

1041
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

6
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.

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

  • 🇨🇳China51%
  • 🇮🇳India7.6%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia4.9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

70 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 Manchester

University of Sheffield

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

Only at University of Manchester

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 Manchester
£32,300
University of Sheffield
£25,830

University of Sheffield is about £6,470 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Manchester
£26,800
University of Sheffield
£31,360

University of Manchester is about £4,560 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 Manchester

University of Sheffield

  • Politics & International Relations

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Physics

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Biochemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    83%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

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

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction93%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    77%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    88%Satisfaction80%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Dentistry

    £48,500Salary (3 years)£46,500
    77%Satisfaction95%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Manchester

Spärck AI Scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

The Sadler Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

The Bason Family Bursary

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

The Cowrie Foundation Scholarships

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Accommodation Bursary

£2,050

Deadline: Jul 2026

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 Manchester vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £6,470 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Manchester is about £4,560 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 Manchester and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 70 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Mathematics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Economics, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 58 more.

Is University of Manchester 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 Manchester, and £27,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Manchester and 94% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

University of Manchester teaches 46 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Nursing (General), Genetics & Genomics, Geology & Earth Sciences, French, Healthcare Science, Pharmacology, Spanish & Portuguese, Anthropology and 38 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 7 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Landscape Architecture & Design, Journalism, Building & Construction, Social Sciences (General), Animal Science, Heritage & Conservation and Technology & Logistics.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses