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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 Sheffield

Sheffield · QS World #82

U
University of South Wales

Pontypridd · QS World #1201

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.

8/11

Sheffield

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

South Wales

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Sheffield vs University of South Wales at a glance

University of Sheffield and University of South Wales both teach 36 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Psychology (General) and Law. University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas; University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,830 a year at University of Sheffield and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £9,630 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,360 a year at University of Sheffield and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £13,460 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sheffield is higher in 20 and University of South Wales in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £38,500 three years after graduating from University of Sheffield, against £19,500 from University of South Wales. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 11 and University of South Wales in 10.

World & National Rankings

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

#82
QS World
#1201
#108
THE World
#1201
#19
Guardian UK
#83
1905
Established
1913
Yes
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

University of Sheffield

University of South Wales

89.6%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.3%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

28.1%
22%

International

International student share

307
331

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

2
23

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.

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

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

South Wales

71 countries · 22% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%

Subjects

36 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 Sheffield

University of South Wales

Also taught at both: Biology, Chemistry, History, English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Information Systems & Data Science, Marketing, Biomedical Sciences, Business Studies, Journalism, Public Health & Epidemiology, Accounting, Social Sciences (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Management, Human Geography & Environment, Human Resource Management, Animal Science, Social Policy & Public Policy, Statistics.

Only at University of Sheffield

Only at University of South Wales

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 Sheffield
£25,830
University of South Wales
£16,200

University of South Wales is about £9,630 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Sheffield
£31,360
University of South Wales
£17,900

University of South Wales is about £13,460 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 Sheffield

University of South Wales

  • Business & Management (General)

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    80%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    94%Satisfaction96%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    95%Satisfaction90%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    90%Satisfaction97%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    96%Satisfaction71%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Software Engineering

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    90%Satisfaction81%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    85%Satisfaction90%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Sheffield

International Postgraduate Scholarship 2026

£3,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Access to Sheffield Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

View all scholarships →

University of South Wales

USW Postgraduate Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027/2028

100%

Deadline: Jul 2027

USW Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Sheffield vs University of South Wales: common questions

Is University of Sheffield or University of South Wales cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,830 a year at University of Sheffield and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £9,630 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,360 a year at University of Sheffield and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £13,460 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 Sheffield and University of South Wales?

Both universities teach 36 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Law, Aerospace Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Building & Construction, Childhood & Youth Studies, Music and 24 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from University of Sheffield, and £19,000 from University of South Wales. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at University of Sheffield and 94% at University of South Wales. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Sheffield or University of South Wales offer more courses?

University of South Wales lists 331 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

What can you study at University of Sheffield but not at University of South Wales?

University of Sheffield teaches 41 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Physics, Mathematics, Chemical Engineering, Economics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Architecture, Biochemistry, Landscape Architecture & Design and 33 more.

What can you study at University of South Wales but not at University of Sheffield?

University of South Wales teaches 27 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Healthcare Science, Nursing (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography, Teacher Training, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Forensic Science and 19 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of South Wales331 courses · 23 scholarshipsBrowse Courses