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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 St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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.

4/11

Sheffield

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

St Andrews

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of St Andrews leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sheffield is ahead on ranking, Russell Group, employment.

University of Sheffield vs University of St Andrews at a glance

University of Sheffield and University of St Andrews both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being History, Ancient Languages and Classical Studies. University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,830 a year at University of Sheffield and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of Sheffield is about £4,330 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,360 a year at University of Sheffield and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £4,160 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 17 and University of Sheffield in 2, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £38,500 three years after graduating from University of Sheffield, against £51,500 from University of St Andrews. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 13 and University of Sheffield in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

#82
QS World
#115
#108
THE World
#162
#19
Guardian UK
#3
1905
Established
1413
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 St Andrews

89.6%
93.2%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£40,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.3%
74.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

28.1%
46.1%

International

International student share

307
1157

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

2
62

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

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
  • 🇨🇳China9%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4%
  • 🇮🇳India4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%

Subjects

39 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 St Andrews

Also taught at both: Asian Languages & Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Medicine, Physical Geography & Climate, Sociology & Criminology, Biochemistry, Law, Statistics, Biomedical Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Materials Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, English Literature, Information & Library Studies, Zoology & Animal Biology, Business Studies, Environmental Sciences, Marketing, Animal Science, Heritage & Conservation, Microbiology & Cell Biology.

Only at University of Sheffield

Only at University of St Andrews

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 St Andrews
£30,160

University of Sheffield is about £4,330 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Sheffield
£31,360
University of St Andrews
£27,200

University of St Andrews is about £4,160 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 St Andrews

  • History

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    93%Satisfaction97%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction100%

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£36,500
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • English Studies

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    93%Satisfaction92%

  • Computer Science

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£51,500
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Biology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    86%Satisfaction96%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • Philosophy

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£37,500
    80%Satisfaction84%

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 St Andrews

Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Masters funding in Digital Health and Care

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship

100%

Deadline: May 2026

University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Sheffield vs University of St Andrews: common questions

Is University of Sheffield or University of St Andrews cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,830 a year at University of Sheffield and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of Sheffield is about £4,330 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,360 a year at University of Sheffield and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £4,160 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 St Andrews?

Both universities teach 39 subject areas: History, Ancient Languages, Classical Studies, Economics, Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, English Studies, Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry, Philosophy, Psychology (General) and 27 more.

Is University of Sheffield or University of St Andrews better for History?

History graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from University of Sheffield, and £28,500 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at University of Sheffield and 97% at University of St Andrews. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Sheffield or University of St Andrews offer more courses?

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

What can you study at University of Sheffield but not at University of St Andrews?

University of Sheffield teaches 38 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, General Engineering, Music, Chemical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Aerospace Engineering and 30 more.

What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at University of Sheffield?

University of St Andrews teaches 25 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Italian, History of Art & Design, Theology & Religious Studies, Eastern European Languages, Media & Film Studies and 17 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of St Andrews1,157 courses · 62 scholarshipsBrowse Courses