Ranking, reputation and history

The University of Sheffield has a global reputation for its exceptional teaching, impactful research, international outlook and outstanding student experience.

Firth Court building with red ivy
On

Our rankings

There are plenty of excellent reasons why you should choose the University of Sheffield. Our outstanding performance in league tables for teaching, student experience and research are just a few of them.


A global reputation for excellence

Number one university in the Russell Group
National Student Survey 2023 (based on aggregate responses)

104th in the world and 15th in the UK
2024 QS World University Rankings

24th in the world, 12th in Europe and 7th in the UK 
2024 QS Sustainability Rankings

20th in the UK
2024 Complete University Guide

18th in the UK and 3rd in the north and north east
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024

105th in the world and 13th in the UK
2024 Times Higher Education World University Rankings

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


See how world-leading research enhances our teaching and changes lives – starting with your own

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


Have an unforgettable student experience

Number one Students' Union in the UK
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017

University of the Year for Student Experience
Daily Mail University Guide 2024

Number one Students' Union in the Russell Group
National Student Survey 2023

Number one for Students' Union, clubs/societies and teaching quality
StudentCrowd 2023 University Awards


Get the best start to your career

A top 20 university targeted by employers
The Graduate Market in 2023, High Fliers report


Become part of an international community, with friends from 150 countries

Top 50 in the most international universities rankings
2022 Times Higher Education World University Rankings

Global rankings

See Sheffield for yourself

Book a visit or online event


Our reputation

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

University crest

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.

History of the University

Four students laughing while sat at a bench, outside the Students' Union

International Merit Scholarships

We offer a generous package of financial support for international students including 75 undergraduate scholarships worth £10,000 towards the annual tuition fee and 125 postgraduate taught scholarships worth £5,000 towards the tuition fee. Applications are now open for existing offer holders.