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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.

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University of Nottingham

Nottingham · QS World #97

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.

4/10

Nottingham

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

6/10

Sheffield

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, international). University of Nottingham is ahead on established, graduate salary, courses, scholarship.

University of Nottingham vs University of Sheffield at a glance

University of Nottingham and University of Sheffield both teach 64 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Health Sciences & Paramedic Science. University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,000 a year at University of Nottingham and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £7,170 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,800 a year at University of Nottingham and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Nottingham is about £560 a year cheaper.

Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Nottingham is higher in 29 and University of Sheffield in 3. The widest gap is in Sociology & Criminology: £32,500 three years after graduating from University of Nottingham, against £23,000 from University of Sheffield. Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 22 and University of Nottingham in 9, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#97
QS World
#82
#145
THE World
#108
#21
Guardian UK
#19
1881
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 Nottingham

University of Sheffield

86.6%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£40,400
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

21.1%
28.1%

International

International student share

580
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
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.

Nottingham

98 countries · 21.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China42.6%
  • 🇮🇳India9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

64 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 Nottingham

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: English Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General), Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, Linguistics, Public Health & Epidemiology, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Clinical Specialities, Human Geography & Environment, Music, Aerospace Engineering, Building & Construction, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Social Sciences (General), Biochemistry, General Engineering, Archaeology, Management, Anatomy & Pathology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biology, Information Systems & Data Science, Pharmacy, Applied Psychology, Classical Studies, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Business Studies, Cultural Studies, Environmental Sciences, International Development, Animal Science, English Language, Medicine, Adult Nursing, Ancient Languages, Developmental & Educational Psychology, English Literature, Marketing, Materials Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Policy & Public Policy, Accounting, Human Resource Management, Statistics, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Nottingham

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 Nottingham
£33,000
University of Sheffield
£25,830

University of Sheffield is about £7,170 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Nottingham
£30,800
University of Sheffield
£31,360

University of Nottingham is about £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 Nottingham

University of Sheffield

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    79%Satisfaction95%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Physics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Philosophy

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    92%Satisfaction95%

  • Mathematics

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    81%Satisfaction90%

  • History

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Architecture

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    94%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 32 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Nottingham

Taiwan Research Hub PhD Scholarship 2026/27

£11,000

Deadline: N/A

Molson Coors Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

The Witty Entrepreneurial Scholarship

£750

Deadline: N/A

Hillsborough Trust Memorial Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

PhD Scholarships

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 Nottingham vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,000 a year at University of Nottingham and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £7,170 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,800 a year at University of Nottingham and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Nottingham is about £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 Nottingham and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 64 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Politics & International Relations, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Philosophy, Childhood & Youth Studies, Business & Management (General), Economics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering and 52 more.

Is University of Nottingham or University of Sheffield better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £35,500 three years after graduating from University of Nottingham, and £33,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Nottingham and 87% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Nottingham lists 580 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

University of Nottingham teaches 34 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Media & Film Studies, Biotechnology, Health & Social Care, American & Comparative Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Veterinary Medicine, Food Science, History of Art & Design and 26 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 13 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including Landscape Architecture & Design, Planning & Housing, Asian Languages & Studies, Journalism, Software Engineering, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Materials Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics and 5 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Nottingham580 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses