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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 York

York · QS World #158

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.

8/11

Sheffield

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

York

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary). University of York is ahead on TEF, courses, scholarship.

University of Sheffield vs University of York at a glance

University of Sheffield and University of York both teach 53 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Politics & International Relations and Business & Management (General). University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas; University of York offers 532 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,830 a year at University of Sheffield and £27,500 at University of York: University of Sheffield is about £1,670 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,360 a year at University of Sheffield and £27,250 at University of York: University of York is about £4,110 a year cheaper.

Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of York is higher in 19 and University of Sheffield in 5, with 8 about level. The widest gap is in Law: £25,500 three years after graduating from University of Sheffield, against £30,500 from University of York. Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 21 and University of York in 6, with 5 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#82
QS World
#158
#108
THE World
#154
#19
Guardian UK
#20
1905
Established
1963
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Gold

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 York

89.6%
87.1%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.3%
80.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

28.1%
18.6%

International

International student share

307
532

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

2
3

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

York

97 countries · 18.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.1%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.3%
  • 🌐Korea (South)2.2%

Subjects

53 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 York

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Linguistics, Biology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Civil Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Physical Geography & Climate, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Management, Biochemistry, Environmental Sciences, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, Building & Construction, Chemical Engineering, Psychology (General), Ancient Languages, Architecture, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Information Systems & Data Science, Mechanical Engineering, Business Studies, Heritage & Conservation, Marketing, Adult Nursing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, International Development, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Accounting, English Language, English Literature, Social Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Sheffield

Only at University of York

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 York
£27,500

University of Sheffield is about £1,670 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Sheffield
£31,360
University of York
£27,250

University of York is about £4,110 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 York

  • Computer Science

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    95%Satisfaction73%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    94%Satisfaction91%

  • Business & Management (General)

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

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    93%Satisfaction92%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Philosophy

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    96%Satisfaction87%

  • English Studies

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 32 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 York

Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

York Bursary

£1,000

Deadline: N/A

York Futures Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Sheffield vs University of York: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,830 a year at University of Sheffield and £27,500 at University of York: University of Sheffield is about £1,670 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,360 a year at University of Sheffield and £27,250 at University of York: University of York is about £4,110 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 York?

Both universities teach 53 subject areas: Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Physics, Philosophy, Music, English Studies, Law, Sociology & Criminology and 41 more.

Is University of Sheffield or University of York better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £38,500 three years after graduating from University of Sheffield, and £40,000 from University of York. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at University of Sheffield and 73% at University of York. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of York lists 532 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 24 subject areas that University of York does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Landscape Architecture & Design, Planning & Housing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Asian Languages & Studies, Journalism, Software Engineering, Clinical Specialities and 16 more.

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

University of York teaches 29 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including History of Art & Design, Education Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Forensic Science, Media & Film Studies, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Humanities and 21 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 York532 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses