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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 Sunderland

Sunderland · Guardian UK #86

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.

6/10

Sheffield

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Sunderland

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sunderland is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment, international.

University of Sheffield vs University of Sunderland at a glance

University of Sheffield and University of Sunderland both teach 32 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Business & Management (General). University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,830 a year at University of Sheffield and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £8,330 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,360 a year at University of Sheffield and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £14,360 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sheffield is higher in 16 and University of Sunderland in 3. The widest gap is in Economics: £32,500 three years after graduating from University of Sheffield, against £18,500 from University of Sunderland. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 10 and University of Sunderland in 8, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#82
QS World
—
#108
THE World
#1501
#19
Guardian UK
#86
1905
Established
1901
Yes
Russell Group
No
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 Sunderland

89.6%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£24,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.3%
81.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

28.1%
36.5%

International

International student share

307
193

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

2
0

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

Sunderland

56 countries · 36.5% international

  • 🌐Nepal29.5%
  • 🇮🇳India17.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
  • 🇨🇳China7.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%

Subjects

32 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 Sunderland

Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Economics, Marketing, Biomedical Sciences, Applied Psychology, Human Resource Management, Pharmacy, Accounting, Adult Nursing, Management, Medicine, Social Sciences (General).

Only at University of Sheffield

Only at University of Sunderland

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 Sunderland
£17,500

University of Sunderland is about £8,330 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Sheffield
£31,360
University of Sunderland
£17,000

University of Sunderland is about £14,360 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 Sunderland

  • Law

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Computer Science

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    95%Satisfaction78%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    80%Satisfaction92%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    87%Satisfaction76%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)No data
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • English Studies

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    93%Satisfaction97%

  • Journalism

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    92%Satisfaction98%

  • Biochemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    94%Satisfaction90%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    86%Satisfaction85%

  • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    95%Satisfaction78%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    96%Satisfaction100%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 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 Sunderland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Sheffield vs University of Sunderland: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,830 a year at University of Sheffield and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £8,330 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,360 a year at University of Sheffield and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £14,360 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 Sunderland?

Both universities teach 32 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Chemistry, English Studies, Journalism, Biochemistry, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering and 20 more.

Is University of Sheffield or University of Sunderland better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £25,500 three years after graduating from University of Sheffield, and £19,000 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at University of Sheffield and 95% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Sheffield lists 307 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sunderland lists 193 courses.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 45 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Politics & International Relations, Civil Engineering, Physics, History, Aerospace Engineering, Architecture, Biology, Information Systems & Data Science and 37 more.

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

University of Sunderland teaches 24 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Fine Art, Geology & Earth Sciences, Health & Social Care and 16 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 Sunderland193 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses