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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 Sheffield

Sheffield · QS World #82

U
University of Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/10

Sheffield

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Southampton

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sheffield is ahead on ranking, satisfaction.

University of Sheffield vs University of Southampton at a glance

University of Sheffield and University of Southampton both teach 59 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering and Business & Management (General). University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,830 a year at University of Sheffield and £26,000 at University of Southampton, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,360 a year at University of Sheffield and £31,200 at University of Southampton, so the two cost about the same.

Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 33 and University of Sheffield in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £30,500 three years after graduating from University of Sheffield, against £39,500 from University of Southampton. Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 24 and University of Southampton in 10, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#82
QS World
#111
#108
THE World
#129
#19
Guardian UK
#16
1905
Established
1862
Yes
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 Sheffield

University of Southampton

89.6%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.3%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

28.1%
35.1%

International

International student share

307
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

2
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

59 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Chemistry, Economics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Music, Ancient Languages, Archaeology, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, Philosophy, Software Engineering, Business Studies, Marketing, English Studies, Psychology (General), Accounting, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Social Policy & Public Policy, Architecture, Building & Construction, Clinical Specialities, Management, Adult Nursing, Medicine, Physical Geography & Climate, Statistics, English Language, Human Geography & Environment, Zoology & Animal Biology, Heritage & Conservation, International Development, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Biological Sciences (General), Cultural Studies, Human Resource Management, Information & Library Studies, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Sheffield

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

About the same.

Postgraduate

University of Sheffield
£31,360
University of Southampton
£31,200

About the same.

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 Southampton

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • General Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    97%Satisfaction90%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    80%Satisfaction80%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£39,500
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£47,000
    95%Satisfaction80%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    94%Satisfaction85%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    94%Satisfaction94%

  • History

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    86%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 37 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 Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Sheffield vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,830 a year at University of Sheffield and £26,000 at University of Southampton, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,360 a year at University of Sheffield and £31,200 at University of Southampton, so the two cost about the same. 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 59 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Aerospace Engineering, History, Chemical Engineering and 47 more.

Is University of Sheffield or University of Southampton better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from University of Sheffield, and £40,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at University of Sheffield and 89% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 18 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Childhood & Youth Studies, Landscape Architecture & Design, Planning & Housing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Asian Languages & Studies, Journalism, Linguistics, Optometry & Ophthalmics and 10 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 32 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Design & Fashion, Marine Engineering & Technology, Education Studies, Healthcare Science, Children's Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology and 24 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses