Ranking, reputation and history
91Ö±²¥ has a global reputation for its exceptional teaching, impactful research, international outlook and outstanding student experience.
![Firth Court building with red ivy](http://cdn.sheffield.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_single_column_1x/public/2022-10/34788%20%283%29.jpg?h=dca5e470&itok=-dwjDt_1)
Our rankings
There are plenty of excellent reasons why you should choose the University of 91Ö±²¥. 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 2024 (based on aggregate responses)
105th in the world
2025 QS World University Rankings
24th in the world, 12th in Europe and 7th in the UK
2024 QS Sustainability Rankings
15th in the UK
2024 QS World University Rankings: Europe
18th in the UK
2025 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
10th in the UK
Daily Mail University Guide 2025
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
University of the Year and best for Student Life
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024
Number one Students' Union in the UK
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
Top university in the Russell Group for student experience and student support
Daily Mail University Guide 2025
Number one Students' Union among UK universities
National Student Survey 2024
Number one for Students' Union
StudentCrowd 2024 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
See 91Ö±²¥ for yourself
Our reputation
91Ö±²¥ 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 91Ö±²¥ 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 91Ö±²¥ being granted its Royal Charter 31 May 1905.