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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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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.

5/12

Plymouth

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

7/12

Sheffield

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 7 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary). University of Plymouth is ahead on TEF, established, employment, courses, scholarship.

University of Plymouth vs University of Sheffield at a glance

University of Plymouth and University of Sheffield both teach 48 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations and Computer Science. University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,200 a year at University of Plymouth and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Plymouth is about £6,630 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at University of Plymouth and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Plymouth is about £11,860 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sheffield is higher in 24 and University of Plymouth in 5. The widest gap is in Optometry & Ophthalmics: £40,000 three years after graduating from University of Plymouth, against £27,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 15 and University of Plymouth in 11, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#691
QS World
#82
#501
THE World
#108
#56
Guardian UK
#19
1862
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 Plymouth

University of Sheffield

86.6%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£30,300
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.2%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

11.9%
28.1%

International

International student share

310
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
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.

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

48 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 Plymouth

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Adult Nursing, Childhood & Youth Studies, Economics, General Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Music, Architecture, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Dentistry, Software Engineering, Biology, Environmental Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Management, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Biomedical Engineering, Marketing, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Zoology & Animal Biology, Accounting, Anatomy & Pathology, Biological Sciences (General), Human Resource Management, Medicine, Social Sciences (General), Technology & Logistics, Applied Psychology, Heritage & Conservation.

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200
University of Sheffield
£25,830

University of Plymouth is about £6,630 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Plymouth
£19,500
University of Sheffield
£31,360

University of Plymouth is about £11,860 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 Plymouth

University of Sheffield

  • Business & Management (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction80%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    72%Satisfaction95%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    91%Satisfaction87%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    84%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    83%Satisfaction88%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    84%Satisfaction91%

  • Mathematics

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • English Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • History

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    94%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

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 Plymouth vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,200 a year at University of Plymouth and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Plymouth is about £6,630 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at University of Plymouth and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Plymouth is about £11,860 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 Plymouth and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 48 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Law, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Mathematics, English Studies, History and 36 more.

Is University of Plymouth or University of Sheffield better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from University of Plymouth, and £30,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at University of Plymouth and 80% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Plymouth lists 310 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 30 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Design & Fashion, Ecology & Conservation, Nutrition & Dietetics, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marine Engineering & Technology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation and 22 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 29 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Biochemistry, Information Systems & Data Science, Landscape Architecture & Design, Philosophy, Planning & Housing, Public Health & Epidemiology and 21 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses