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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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth · QS World #662

U
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

Portsmouth

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 Portsmouth is ahead on TEF, established, employment, courses, scholarship.

University of Portsmouth vs University of Sheffield at a glance

University of Portsmouth and University of Sheffield both teach 53 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Computer Science and Electronic & Electrical Engineering. University of Portsmouth offers 446 courses across 84 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,900 a year at University of Portsmouth and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Portsmouth is about £7,930 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,600 a year at University of Portsmouth and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Portsmouth is about £12,760 a year cheaper.

Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sheffield is higher in 22 and University of Portsmouth in 9, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £25,500 three years after graduating from University of Portsmouth, against £38,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 28 and University of Portsmouth in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#662
QS World
#82
#401
THE World
#108
#55
Guardian UK
#19
1869
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 Portsmouth

University of Sheffield

86.9%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£32,100
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.4%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.5%
28.1%

International

International student share

446
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.

Portsmouth

96 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India22.1%
  • 🇨🇳China11.6%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.8%
  • 🌐Kuwait7.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.6%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

53 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 Portsmouth

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Architecture, History, Mathematics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Marketing, Music, Physics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Social Policy & Public Policy, Human Resource Management, Journalism, Psychology (General), Ancient Languages, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Linguistics, Public Health & Epidemiology, Chemical Engineering, English Language, English Literature, Information Systems & Data Science, Software Engineering, Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, International Development, Planning & Housing, Adult Nursing, Dentistry, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Environmental Sciences, Pharmacy, Anatomy & Pathology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Human Geography & Environment, Physical Geography & Climate, GIS & Remote Sensing.

Only at University of Portsmouth

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 Portsmouth
£17,900
University of Sheffield
£25,830

University of Portsmouth is about £7,930 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Portsmouth
£18,600
University of Sheffield
£31,360

University of Portsmouth is about £12,760 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 Portsmouth

University of Sheffield

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    82%Satisfaction95%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    87%Satisfaction80%

  • Law

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • General Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    84%Satisfaction97%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    83%Satisfaction85%

  • Economics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    85%Satisfaction89%

  • Architecture

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    85%Satisfaction92%

  • History

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    90%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 35 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Portsmouth

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Estée Lauder Companies - Whitman Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Language Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

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 Portsmouth vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,900 a year at University of Portsmouth and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Portsmouth is about £7,930 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,600 a year at University of Portsmouth and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Portsmouth is about £12,760 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 Portsmouth and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 53 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Law, General Engineering, Management, Building & Construction, Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Civil Engineering and 41 more.

Is University of Portsmouth or University of Sheffield better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from University of Portsmouth, and £27,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at University of Portsmouth and 94% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Portsmouth lists 446 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

University of Portsmouth teaches 31 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Education Studies, Design & Fashion, Games Design & Computer Animation, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training, Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy and 23 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 24 subject areas that University of Portsmouth does not, including English Studies, Chemistry, Aerospace Engineering, Landscape Architecture & Design, Philosophy, Asian Languages & Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical Specialities and 16 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Portsmouth446 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses