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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 the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

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.

7/10

Sheffield

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

West of Scotland

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Sheffield vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

University of Sheffield and University of the West of Scotland both teach 31 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General) and General Engineering. University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,830 a year at University of Sheffield and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £10,330 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,360 a year at University of Sheffield and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £15,080 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sheffield is higher in 13 and University of the West of Scotland in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Mechanical Engineering: £34,500 three years after graduating from University of Sheffield, against £25,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 7 and University of Sheffield in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

#82
QS World
—
#108
THE World
#601
#19
Guardian UK
#115
1905
Established
1897
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 the West of Scotland

89.6%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.3%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

28.1%
30.3%

International

International student share

307
119

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

31 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 the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Journalism, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Psychology, Psychology (General), Social Sciences (General), Accounting, Zoology & Animal Biology, Adult Nursing, English Language, Environmental Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Cultural Studies, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Sheffield

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £10,330 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Sheffield
£31,360
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £15,080 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 the West of Scotland

  • General Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    97%Satisfaction92%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%Satisfaction95%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    87%Satisfaction80%

  • Law

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    94%SatisfactionNo data

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    96%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%SatisfactionNo data

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    90%Satisfaction99%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction100%

  • Biology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    86%Satisfaction99%

  • Journalism

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    85%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 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 the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Sheffield vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is University of Sheffield or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,830 a year at University of Sheffield and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £10,330 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,360 a year at University of Sheffield and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £15,080 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 31 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), General Engineering, Physics, Business Studies, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Law, Mathematics, Music, Sociology & Criminology and 19 more.

Is University of Sheffield or University of the West of Scotland better for General Engineering?

General Engineering graduates earn a median £33,000 three years after graduating from University of Sheffield, and £26,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at University of Sheffield and 92% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Sheffield or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of Sheffield lists 307 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at University of Sheffield but not at University of the West of Scotland?

University of Sheffield teaches 46 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Computer Science, Civil Engineering, English Studies, History, Chemical Engineering, Economics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Architecture and 38 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of Sheffield?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 18 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Teacher Training, Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Computing & IT, Social Work, Community & Specialist Nursing, Design & Fashion, Health & Social Care and 10 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 the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses