Sheffield University is a public research university located in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, in an urban setting. It is a large university with about 30,000 total students (postgraduate + undergraduate) compared to ~19,500 undergraduates alone. Admissions are competitive; with an acceptance rate about 13-14%. Some of the most popular fields are Engineering, Medicine, Social Sciences, Business, and Arts & Humanities.
The University of Birmingham is a state research university in Birmingham, West Midlands, England, located on a suburban campus in Edgbaston. It is a large university with total enrollments of about 38,000 students. Admissions are competitive, with estimates of the acceptance rate is about 76.2% for most undergraduate courses. Major undergraduate majors are Medicine, Engineering, Business, Social Sciences, and Law. The six-year graduation / degree attainment rate is also high for Russell Group institutions.
| University of Sheffield | University of Birmingham | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 6 Out of 10 | 6.1 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 16 The Guardian 2026 # 92 QS World University 2026 # 108 Times Higher Education 2026 | # 28 The Guardian 2026 # 76 QS World University 2026 # 98 Times Higher Education 2026 |
| Subject Strength | # 96 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 106 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 19 for Law by The Guardian 2026 | # 96 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 67 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 41 for Law by The Guardian 2026 |
| Programs | UG Programs -59 PG Programs -55 | UG Programs -52 PG Programs -145 Doctorate Programs -54 |
| Acceptance Rate | 85.0 % | 13.0 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-550 GRE-306 IELTS-6 PTE-61 TOEFL-88 | GMAT-500 GRE-292 IELTS-6 PTE-59 TOEFL-88 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 30875 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 33605 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 24545 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 27180 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 26640 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 17136 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Graduate employability ranks: #121-130 | Graduate employability ranking #86; Annual average salary 57,100 USD; Top recruiters: IBM, Capgemini, Peter Brett Associates, WSP Global Inc., Barclays Bank, etc.; Highest paid degrees: Executive MBA (127,000 USD), MBA (104,000 USD), Bachelor (101,000 USD), LLM (85,000 USD), Masters in Finance (76,000 USD). |
| application requirements | 2 reference letters; CV; Supporting statement of 300-500 words | Academic transcripts; 2 reference letters; personal statement; essay; research proposal (for research programs); Proof of English language proficiency |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Sheffield University Management School | NA |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 8.3/10 Read 21 reviews | 8.0/10 Read 27 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 76 for Arts by Times Higher Education 2025 # 82 for Arts by QS World University 2025 | # 63 for Arts by Times Higher Education 2025 # 72 for Arts by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 61/90TOEFL - 88/120 | IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 67/90TOEFL - 88/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -24050 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -21150 |
| application dates | Sep 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For September Intake) Jan 5, 2026 (Application Deadline For February Intake) | May 12, 2025 (Application Deadline For September 2025 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Sheffield | University of Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1905 | 1900 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 12:1:1 |
| Male:Female | 46% Male, 54% Female | 42% Male, 58% Female |
| Location Facts | Two campus areas: Western Bank (main) and St George’s. The main campus is located in the heart of city, surrounded by many green spaces gardens, parks and woodland area. | 2 campuses- Edgbaston and Selly Oak located in Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK; centered around Chancellor’s Court and Old Joe. |
| Library | According 2017-18 annual report: 1.1 million collections; 3.2 million visits; 3,532 study spaces; 5.6 million digital library searches; 12.1 million digital downloads; 216,000 books loaned | 7 libraries and resource center; 2.7 million books and scholarly periodicals, over 16,000 electronic resources; 1.8 million print; 500,000 online books; over 85,000 print & online journals. |
| Campus Life | Student’s Union has 350 clubs and societies; bars, cafe, and restaurants; box office for tickets to concerts and performances; events; student council; support services. The university also offers opportunities to indulge in volunteering, DJing, Dancing, Sports, involving in faith groups, Faishon, and Film making. | 250 clubs & societies; Houses the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Shakespeare Institute, Mingana Collection of Middle Eastern manuscripts, Lapworth Museum of Geology, Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower; UoB Sport & Fitness club (consisting of 50m swimming pool, multi-sports arena, 6 glass-backed squash courts, 200-station gym, 10m climbing wall, Performance Centre, 5 activity studios, etc.); 9 Costas, 2 Starbucks; other university cafes; etc. |
| Hostel | #Rooms - Shared Bathroom - $4200 #Rooms - En-Suite+ - $7879 #Rooms - Delux+ - $8473 | #Accommodation (Catered) - $8442 #Accommodation (Self Catered) - $8694 |
| Famous Alumni | David Childs (former Managing Partner of Clifford Chance); Lindsay Ashford (author); Hilary Mantel (two times Booker Prize winner); Glenn Moore (comedian); Any Johnson (pilot); Helen Sharman (first British astronaut); Sir Donald Bailey (inventor of the Bailey Bridge), Lord Florey (Nobel Prize laureate), Sir Hans Krebs (Nobel Prize laureate), etc. | 11 Nobel laureates; Neville Chamberlain & Stanley Baldwin (Former British PM); Sir Edward Elgar (British composer); Baroness Amos (UN Under-Secretary-General); Lord Roll of Ipsden (Director of the Bank of England); Isaac Hempstead Wright (Actor); Rodolfo Neri Vela (Mexican scientist & astronaut); Tim Curry (Actor) |
| City Life | Sheffield is known as the “steel city”; home to the world’s oldest football club: Sheffield FC; has the largest theatre complex of the UK. It is not only the 4th largest city in England but also one of the safest cities. The city is also known for having the cost of living 10% lower than the national average. The unemployment rate of the city is 4.2% | A city in West Midlands, England; 2nd largest city in England; Economy dominated by the service sector; 2nd largest metropolitan economy in UK with a GDP of 121.1 billion USD; Top tourist attractions include Victoria Square, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Thinktank- Birmingham Science Museum, National SEA LIFE Centre, St. Philip's Cathedral, Cadbury World |
| Weather |
University of Sheffield vs University of Birmingham
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Sheffield and Birmingham are both Russell Group high-ranking universities. Sheffield's QS global position is in the ~ 100-110 bracket; University of Birmingham ranks a little higher in most rankings which align with your assertion. Birmingham performs a little better in some rankings for Medicine, Business, and general global reputation. Sheffield is still good in Engineering, Social Sciences, and especially in niche / interdisciplinary fields.
General Information
Birmingham has approximately 38,000 students in total, versus Sheffield's ~ 30,000. The campus environments are as you described: Birmingham's Edgbaston is suburban and roomy; Sheffield's campus is smaller and highly integrated within the city. Both have a lot of undergraduate and graduate studies; Birmingham may have more across some faculties (Medicine, Law, etc.).
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Sheffield ~76.2%, Birmingham ~13-14% are approximate to estimate acceptance rate. Entry tariffs (A levels etc) are generally high for competitive courses; Birmingham frequently requires slightly higher A-level grades in Medicine / Law, etc. Sheffield also has competitive entry tariffs.
Research Impact & Facilities
Both are research-led universities (both Russell Group, high research activity). Birmingham has high research output, robust funding, high public profile in many laboratories and medical research. Sheffield also boasts first-rate facilities (e.g. Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, robust biomedical research, etc.). On the whole, Birmingham might have the edge generally in research funding and quantity, Sheffield might have the edge or be highly competitive in some specialized areas.
Cost & Financial Aid
Home (UK) undergraduate fees are uniform for home students (~£9,250) in both Sheffield and Birmingham. International fees are more for both, depending on program. Living expenses are comparable, although Birmingham may be marginally more pricey overall based on city price differences. Both have scholarships / bursaries; Birmingham has merit awards (e.g. Chamberlain scheme) and Sheffield has bursaries and assistance for lower income / widening participation.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Both universities have well-performing graduates. Birmingham has big and good alumni networks; Sheffield boasts great alumni and satisfactory employability statistics. Graduation / degree completion is high.
1690986098.png?h=40&w=40&mode=stretch){kind=small}
