Ranking, reputation and history
The University of Sheffield has a global reputation for its exceptional teaching, impactful research, international outlook and outstanding student experience.
We're a member of the Russell Group of leading UK research universities.
When you study here you get one of the best student experiences in the UK – and that's according to the people who matter most, our students.
Our rankings
Our outstanding performance for excellent teaching and research, as part of a genuinely global community, is consistently confirmed by international independent assessments.
Number one in the Russell Group
National Student Survey 2023 (based on aggregate responses)
92 per cent of our research is rated in the highest two categories
Research Excellence Framework 2021
8th in the UK for our progress towards the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals
2023 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings
13th in the UK
2024 Times Higher Education World University Rankings
Top 50 in the most international universities rankings
2022 Times Higher Education World University Rankings
Number one Students' Union in the UK
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
Number one Students' Union in the Russell Group
National Student Survey 2023
Number one in the Russell Group for Assessment and Feedback
National Student Survey 2023
Number one for teaching quality, Students' Union and clubs/societies
StudentCrowd 2023 University Awards
University of the Year for Student Experience
Daily Mail University Guide 2024
A top 20 university targeted by employers
The Graduate Market in 2023, High Fliers report
21st in the UK
The Guardian University Guide 2024
Six Nobel Prize winners
Professor Sir Fraser Stoddart, Sir Harry Kroto, FRS, Sir Richard Roberts, FRS, Lord Porter of Luddenham, OM, FRS, Sir Hans Krebs, FRS and Howard Florey, Baron Florey of Adelaide and Marston, FRS.
Five Queen's Anniversary Prizes
The most distinguished award that can be made to a UK institution for higher or further education
Our reputation will set you apart
Sheffield is a leading research university with a global reputation for excellence.
We’re socially responsible, environmentally aware, and committed to sustainability in everything we do. The knowledge we generate helps to make the world a better place.
We believe that true learning means getting out of the classroom and engaging with business, industry, governments and communities. That ethos drives both our research and our teaching.
Our way of doing things attracts the best minds in the world. Our staff advise governments and multinational companies. They write books and create new technologies. Their work influences policy and changes lives.
We want you to change things too. That’s why we get you to engage with the latest research and give you opportunities to contribute. We encourage you to volunteer in the community for the same reason. We want you to understand how knowledge is generated and how it helps people. Change, in a sense, is what we do.
This is a university with a strong sense of purpose. Take advantage of everything it has to offer and you won’t just graduate with honours – you’ll graduate with insight, skills and experience that set you apart.
Our history
Our history stretches back to 1828, the founding date of the Sheffield School of Medicine. The joining of this school with other institutions eventually led to the founding of Firth College in 1879 and the University of Sheffield being granted its Royal Charter 31 May 1905.