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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 Salford

Salford · QS World #1001

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

Salford

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, courses). University of Salford is ahead on established, employment, scholarship.

University of Salford vs University of Sheffield at a glance

University of Salford and University of Sheffield both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations and Computer Science. University of Salford offers 305 courses across 72 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,040 a year at University of Salford and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Salford is about £8,790 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,710 a year at University of Salford and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Salford is about £13,650 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sheffield is higher in 26 and University of Salford in 3. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £23,500 three years after graduating from University of Salford, against £38,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 24 and University of Salford in 3, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#82
#801
THE World
#108
#82
Guardian UK
#19
1896
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 Salford

University of Sheffield

85.2%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£28,800
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.5%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

19.1%
28.1%

International

International student share

305
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.

Salford

63 countries · 19.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India34.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria27.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan12.9%
  • 🌐Kuwait3.7%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.6%
VS

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

Subjects

43 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 Salford

University of Sheffield

Also taught at both: Biochemistry, Mathematics, Chemistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Journalism, History, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biology, Human Geography & Environment, Information Systems & Data Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Philosophy, Public Health & Epidemiology, Software Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, English Literature, Physical Geography & Climate, Adult Nursing, Management, Technology & Logistics, Accounting, Human Resource Management.

Only at University of Salford

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 Salford
£17,040
University of Sheffield
£25,830

University of Salford is about £8,790 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Salford
£17,710
University of Sheffield
£31,360

University of Salford is about £13,650 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 Salford

University of Sheffield

  • Business & Management (General)

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    74%Satisfaction80%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    76%Satisfaction95%

  • Physics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    98%Satisfaction87%

  • Civil Engineering

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    80%Satisfaction88%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    69%Satisfaction94%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    83%Satisfaction91%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Music

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    85%Satisfaction96%

  • Law

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    81%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    79%Satisfaction88%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Salford

Salford/International Nursing College Scholarships

£8,160

Deadline: N/A

Salford/EATL Data Science Scholarships

£7,100

Deadline: N/A

Global Gold Excellence Scholarship

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

Global Silver Excellence Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

IFY Excellence Scholarship

£2,500

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 Salford vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,040 a year at University of Salford and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: University of Salford is about £8,790 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,710 a year at University of Salford and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: University of Salford is about £13,650 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 Salford and University of Sheffield?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Building & Construction, Business Studies, Physics, Civil Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Music and 31 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £21,500 three years after graduating from University of Salford, and £30,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 74% at University of Salford and 80% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Sheffield lists 307 courses on CourseOptions and University of Salford lists 305 courses.

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

University of Salford teaches 29 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Drama & Theatre, Media & Film Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Midwifery, Nursing (General) and 21 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 34 subject areas that University of Salford does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, English Studies, General Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Economics, Landscape Architecture & Design, Planning & Housing, Asian Languages & Studies and 26 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Salford305 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses