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 Oxford

Oxford · QS World #4

U
University of Sheffield

Sheffield · QS World #82

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

9/11

Oxford

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

Sheffield

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Oxford leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Sheffield is ahead on employment, scholarship.

University of Oxford vs University of Sheffield at a glance

University of Oxford and University of Sheffield both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being History, Childhood & Youth Studies and Classical Studies. University of Oxford offers 642 courses across 79 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £43,600 a year at University of Oxford and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £17,770 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £38,430 a year at University of Oxford and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £7,070 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Oxford is higher in 20 and University of Sheffield in 1. The widest gap is in Law: £52,500 three years after graduating from University of Oxford, against £25,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Oxford is higher in 10 and University of Sheffield in 10.

World & National Rankings

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

#4
QS World
#82
#1
THE World
#108
#1
Guardian UK
#19
1096
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 Oxford

University of Sheffield

92.5%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£50,000
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

76.6%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

37.2%
28.1%

International

International student share

642
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
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.

Oxford

118 countries · 37.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China18.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States16.8%
  • 🇩🇪Germany5.6%
  • 🇮🇳India5.2%
  • 🇨🇦Canada4.6%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

51 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 Oxford

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Clinical Specialities, Economics, Music, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Civil Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Philosophy, Chemistry, Psychology (General), Public Health & Epidemiology, Anatomy & Pathology, Archaeology, Chemical Engineering, Landscape Architecture & Design, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Building & Construction, Materials Science, Social Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Statistics, English Literature, Human Geography & Environment, Social Policy & Public Policy, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Business Studies, English Language, Medicine, Physical Geography & Climate, Information & Library Studies, International Development, Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology.

Only at University of Oxford

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 Oxford
£43,600
University of Sheffield
£25,830

University of Sheffield is about £17,770 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Oxford
£38,430
University of Sheffield
£31,360

University of Sheffield is about £7,070 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 Oxford

University of Sheffield

  • History

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    96%Satisfaction93%

  • English Studies

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    97%Satisfaction93%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • General Engineering

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    84%Satisfaction97%

  • Physics

    £43,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £52,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    No dataSatisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £51,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    92%Satisfaction95%

  • Linguistics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Ancient Languages

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    85%Satisfaction92%

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Music

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    91%Satisfaction96%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Oxford

The Rhodes Scholarship

100%

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 Oxford vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £43,600 a year at University of Oxford and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £17,770 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £38,430 a year at University of Oxford and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Sheffield is about £7,070 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 Oxford and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: History, Childhood & Youth Studies, Classical Studies, English Studies, Politics & International Relations, General Engineering, Physics, Law, Computer Science, Linguistics, Ancient Languages, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 39 more.

Is University of Oxford or University of Sheffield better for History?

History graduates earn a median £33,000 three years after graduating from University of Oxford, and £24,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 96% at University of Oxford and 93% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Oxford lists 642 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

University of Oxford teaches 28 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Spanish & Portuguese, Eastern European Languages, German & Scandinavian Studies, French, Italian, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Theology & Religious Studies, Anthropology and 20 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 26 subject areas that University of Oxford does not, including Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Architecture, Information Systems & Data Science, Mechanical Engineering, Planning & Housing, Biomedical Engineering, Journalism and 18 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Oxford642 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses
U
University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses