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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 Reading

Reading · QS World #196

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.

3/11

Reading

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

Sheffield

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Reading is ahead on established, employment, courses.

University of Reading vs University of Sheffield at a glance

University of Reading and University of Sheffield both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science and Economics. University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,850 a year at University of Reading and £25,830 at University of Sheffield, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,450 a year at University of Reading and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Reading is about £4,910 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 16 and University of Sheffield in 6, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Architecture: £36,500 three years after graduating from University of Reading, against £23,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 18 and University of Reading in 7, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#196
QS World
#82
#201
THE World
#108
#33
Guardian UK
#19
1892
Established
1905
No
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 Reading

University of Sheffield

85.1%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£35,800
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.7%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18%
28.1%

International

International student share

448
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.

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

  • 🇨🇳China26%
  • 🇮🇳India6.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.2%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.9%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

47 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 Reading

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Civil Engineering, English Literature, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biomedical Sciences, Business Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biochemistry, Management, Ancient Languages, Information & Library Studies, Planning & Housing, Archaeology, Human Geography & Environment, Pharmacy, Accounting, Architecture, Biological Sciences (General), Environmental Sciences, International Development, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, English Language, Physical Geography & Climate, Animal Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Classical Studies, Linguistics, Human Resource Management, Social Sciences (General), Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at University of Reading

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 Reading
£25,850
University of Sheffield
£25,830

About the same.

Postgraduate

University of Reading
£26,450
University of Sheffield
£31,360

University of Reading is about £4,910 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 Reading

University of Sheffield

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    77%Satisfaction80%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    82%Satisfaction89%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • History

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    77%Satisfaction93%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    83%Satisfaction88%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    96%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    76%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 27 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence 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 Reading vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,850 a year at University of Reading and £25,830 at University of Sheffield, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,450 a year at University of Reading and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Reading is about £4,910 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 Reading and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics, Politics & International Relations, History, Law, Mathematics, Building & Construction, Chemistry, Psychology (General), Marketing, Philosophy and 35 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £35,500 three years after graduating from University of Reading, and £30,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 77% at University of Reading and 80% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

University of Reading teaches 23 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Design & Fashion, Food Science, Teacher Training, Geology & Earth Sciences, Nutrition & Dietetics, Ecology & Conservation, Fine Art and 15 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 30 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Physics, English Studies, General Engineering, Music, Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Information Systems & Data Science and 22 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses
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University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses