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.
Sheffield · QS World #82
Stirling · QS World #560
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.
11/11
Sheffield
scored higher in 11 categories
0/11
Stirling
scored higher in 0 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Sheffield leads in 11 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Stirling does not lead in any category where both have data.
University of Sheffield vs University of Stirling at a glance
University of Sheffield and University of Stirling both teach 36 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology and Psychology (General). University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas; University of Stirling offers 254 courses across 60 subject areas.
Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sheffield is higher in 15 and University of Stirling in 3. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £38,500 three years after graduating from University of Sheffield, against £30,500 from University of Stirling. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 11 and University of Stirling in 5, with 2 about level.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
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 Stirling
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
Stirling
75 countries · 18.4% international
- 🇮🇳India17.1%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan15%
- 🇺🇸United States13.6%
- 🇨🇳China7.6%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria5.8%
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 Stirling
Politics & International Relations
16 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (UG)
15 coursesFee not available
Sociology & Criminology
7 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (UG)
16 coursesFee not available
Psychology (General)
4 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (UG)
18 coursesFee not available
Business Studies
2 coursesTypical fee £32,910 (PG)
15 coursesFee not available
Computer Science
11 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (UG)
6 coursesFee not available
History
7 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (UG)
10 coursesFee not available
Law
7 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (UG)
10 coursesFee not available
Mathematics
English Studies
Accounting
1 courseTypical fee £35,840 (PG)
13 coursesFee not available
Business & Management (General)
11 coursesTypical fee £25,830 (UG)
3 coursesFee not available
Economics
Finance & Actuarial Science
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Childhood & Youth Studies
Also taught at both: Journalism, Biology, Environmental Sciences, Philosophy, Marketing, Planning & Housing, Information Systems & Data Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Linguistics, Physical Geography & Climate, Software Engineering, Adult Nursing, Human Resource Management, Human Geography & Environment, Social Sciences (General), Animal Science, Applied Psychology, Cultural Studies, Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Social Policy & Public Policy.
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 Sheffield
- £25,830
- University of Stirling
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Stirling yet.
Postgraduate
- University of Sheffield
- £31,360
- University of Stirling
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Stirling yet.
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 Stirling
Politics & International Relations
£27,500Salary (3 years)£22,50094%Satisfaction93%Sociology & Criminology
£23,000Salary (3 years)£24,00088%Satisfaction86%Psychology (General)
£23,500Salary (3 years)£21,00088%Satisfaction87%Computer Science
£38,500Salary (3 years)£30,50095%Satisfaction68%History
£24,500Salary (3 years)£23,00093%Satisfaction94%Law
£25,500Salary (3 years)£23,50094%Satisfaction86%Mathematics
£29,500Salary (3 years)£23,50090%Satisfaction73%English Studies
£23,500Salary (3 years)£21,00093%Satisfaction93%Economics
£32,500Salary (3 years)£29,00089%Satisfaction92%Finance & Actuarial Science
£30,500Salary (3 years)£25,00086%Satisfaction75%Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
£27,500Salary (3 years)£29,00090%Satisfaction94%Journalism
£23,500Salary (3 years)£22,50092%Satisfaction92%
Showing the 12 largest of 18 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity of Sheffield
International Postgraduate Scholarship 2026
£3,000
Deadline: Jul 2026
Access to Sheffield Scholarships
£1,000
Deadline: Jun 2026
University of Stirling
View all scholarships →FAQ
University of Sheffield vs University of Stirling: common questions
What subjects can you study at both University of Sheffield and University of Stirling?
Both universities teach 36 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Computer Science, History, Law, Mathematics, English Studies, Accounting, Business & Management (General), Economics and 24 more.
Is University of Sheffield or University of Stirling better for Politics & International Relations?
Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from University of Sheffield, and £22,500 from University of Stirling. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at University of Sheffield and 93% at University of Stirling. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University of Sheffield or University of Stirling offer more courses?
University of Sheffield lists 307 courses on CourseOptions and University of Stirling lists 254 courses.
What can you study at University of Sheffield but not at University of Stirling?
University of Sheffield teaches 41 subject areas that University of Stirling does not, including Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Physics, General Engineering, Music, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Manufacturing & Production Engineering and 33 more.
What can you study at University of Stirling but not at University of Sheffield?
University of Stirling teaches 24 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Media & Film Studies, French, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training, Ecology & Conservation, Education Studies, Humanities, Mental Health Nursing and 16 more.
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