The University of Sheffield is a public research university in Sheffield, England, with more than 28,000 students from over 150 countries.[1] It is ranked 82nd in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and 14th in the UK.[2]
For 2026/27, new full-time overseas undergraduates pay between £25,000 and £32,100 a year, except Medicine (£47,575) and Dentistry (£50,925).[3] Home undergraduates pay £9,790.[4] Undergraduates apply through UCAS.[5]
Key facts
| Official name | University of Sheffield |
| Location | Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, England[6] |
| Type | Public research university; founding member of the Russell Group[7] |
| Founded | Royal charter in 1905; formed in 1897 from Sheffield Medical School (1828), Firth College (1879) and Sheffield Technical School (1884)[7] |
| Students | 28,280 in 2024/25 (20,215 undergraduate, 8,065 postgraduate); the university says more than 28,000 from over 150 countries[7] |
| Faculties | Five: arts and humanities, engineering, health, science and social sciences, with 21 academic schools[7] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 82nd in the world (up 10 places); 14th in the UK[2] |
| Home tuition, 2026/27 | £9,790 per year for new undergraduate entrants[4] |
| Overseas undergraduate tuition, 2026/27 | £25,000–£32,100 per year, depending on course (Medicine and Dentistry excluded)[3] |
| Medicine and Dentistry, 2026/27 (overseas) | £47,575 and £50,925 per year, each over five years[3] |
| Fee during the course | The first-year fee stays the same each year of the same course[3] |
| Undergraduate application | Through UCAS[5] |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in each component (main page); another page states 6.0/5.5 for undergraduate entry; departments may ask for more[8] |
| Official website | sheffield.ac.uk |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.
About the University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield was formed in 1897 as the University College of Sheffield, from Sheffield Medical School (1828), Firth College (1879) and Sheffield Technical School (1884). It received its royal charter in 1905 and is a founding member of the Russell Group.[7]
The campus lies just west of the city centre and consists of the Western Bank and St George’s sites.[7] The university has five faculties (arts and humanities, engineering, health, science, and social sciences) with 21 academic schools.[7] Wikipedia counts 28,280 students for 2024/25; the university’s own page says more than 28,000 students from over 150 countries, and more than 1,500 international staff.[7][1]
How is the University of Sheffield ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, the University of Sheffield is 82nd in the world, up 10 places, and 14th in the UK. It scores 98 out of 100 for international student diversity and for international research network.[2]
The university also reports 13th place in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2027, and a top-50 place among the most international universities in the Times Higher Education 2026 list.[2] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at the University of Sheffield?
The five faculties cover arts and humanities, engineering, health, science and social sciences.[7] The University of Sheffield International College offers foundation programmes in Business, Social Sciences and Humanities and in Science and Engineering, plus pre-Masters programmes in the same areas, for students who need a progression route.[9]
Postgraduate taught applicants need a good bachelor’s degree; most courses require a UK 2:1 or equivalent, and some accept a 2:2.[9]
How much does the University of Sheffield cost in 2026/27?
| Student group | Fee per year, 2026/27 |
|---|---|
| Home undergraduates | £9,790 |
| Overseas undergraduates (most courses) | £25,000 – £32,100 |
| Overseas Medicine | £47,575 |
| Overseas Dentistry | £50,925 |
Overseas figures are for new full-time undergraduates in 2026/27; Medicine and Dentistry run for five years.[3] The home fee is for new undergraduate entrants in 2026-27 and applies to students from the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man as well; it may rise each year in line with inflation as set by Parliament.[4] The university’s page gives one home fee and does not list separate amounts for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.[4]
What stays the same, what changes
The fee you pay in your first year is the same for each year of the course, as long as you stay on the same course.[3] A year abroad costs 15% of the full-time rate; a placement year costs 13.33% for 2026/27 starters, with a few exceptions at 20%.[3] For postgraduate courses longer than one year, international students also pay the same annual fee each year.[10]
Postgraduate fees
The university does not list postgraduate amounts on its international fees page. It points to a fee look-up tool where you choose the department and your fee status.[10] For living costs, see our United Kingdom guide.
How do you apply to the University of Sheffield?
- Undergraduate: apply through UCAS. The university’s apply page links to separate information for international students.[5]
- Postgraduate: the international pages list separate routes for taught and research study; applying through an official representative or agent is one of the options they describe.[11]
- Alternative routes: foundation and pre-Masters programmes at the University of Sheffield International College.[9]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year. The apply page lists the current UCAS windows.[5]
Which English level do you need?
The university’s pages do not agree for undergraduate entry. The English language requirements page states IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in each component for both undergraduate and postgraduate taught study, or an equivalent qualification.[8] The entry requirements page states IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in each component for undergraduate courses and 6.5 with 6.0 for postgraduate courses.[9] Both say that some departments require a higher score; for example, the course page for BA English Language and Literature (2027 entry) asks for IELTS 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component.[12]
Most departments can make a conditional offer if you reach the level before you start. If you completed a first degree taught in English in a majority native English-speaking country, other evidence of English is not normally required.[8] The English Language Teaching Centre runs preparation programmes.[8]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the University of Sheffield cost for international undergraduates?
For 2026/27, £25,000 to £32,100 a year depending on the course. Medicine is £47,575 and Dentistry £50,925 a year.[3]
What is the University of Sheffield’s QS ranking?
82nd in the world and 14th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[2]
Does the tuition fee go up each year of my degree?
How do I apply as an undergraduate?
Through UCAS.[5]
More about studying in United Kingdom (UK)
- United Kingdom (UK): best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in United Kingdom (UK)
- Durham University
- Imperial College London
- King’s College London
- London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
- Queen Mary University of London
- University College London (UCL)
- University of Birmingham
- University of Bristol
- University of Cambridge
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Exeter
- University of Glasgow
- University of Leeds
- University of Manchester
- University of Nottingham
- University of Oxford
- University of Southampton
- University of Warwick
- University of York
Sources
[1] University of Sheffield: A world top-100 university (page without a date (footer © 2026))
[2] University of Sheffield: 10-place rise in QS World University Rankings 2027 (news item of 18 June 2026)
[3] University of Sheffield: Tuition fees for undergraduate overseas students (page without a date (footer © 2026))
[4] University of Sheffield: Tuition fees for undergraduate home students (page without a date (footer © 2026))
[5] University of Sheffield: Apply for undergraduate study (page without a date (footer © 2026); describes September 2027 entry)
[6] University of Sheffield: Home page (address in footer) (page without a date)
[7] Wikipedia: University of Sheffield (history, 2024/25 student numbers, faculties and campus)
[8] University of Sheffield: English language requirements (page without a date (footer © 2026))
[9] University of Sheffield: Entry requirements for international students (page without a date (footer © 2026))
[10] University of Sheffield: International tuition fees (page without a date (footer © 2026))
[11] University of Sheffield: International students (page without a date (footer © 2026))
[12] University of Sheffield: English Language and Literature BA (2027 entry) (course page for 2027-28 entry, without an update date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.