Awards, rankings and achievements

We’re the largest university in Yorkshire for UK students, and our awards and rankings highlight what matters most to our students. High-quality teaching, strong employability outcomes and outstanding support. They show how we are recognised for helping students succeed and for the positive impact we make locally, nationally and globally.

Our top awards and achievements

Teaching quality and student experience

Awards, rankings and achievements focused on learning, satisfaction and student support.

• Top five university in England, Whatuni Student Choice Awards (2026)
• Top university in Yorkshire for student support, Whatuni Student Choice Awards (2026)
• Top university in Yorkshire for facilities, Whatuni Student Choice Awards (2026)
• Top university in Yorkshire for lecturers and teaching quality, Whatuni Student Choice Awards (2026)
• Top 20 universities in the UK, Student Crowd Awards (2025)
• The largest university in Yorkshire for UK students, HESA enrolment data (2024/25)
• Award for outstanding student support, UK Advising and Tutoring Association (2023)
• Top modern university in Yorkshire, Complete University Guide (2023)

Employability and industry engagement

Recognition linked to graduate outcomes, apprenticeships and real-world impact.

• Top university in Yorkshire for career prospects, Whatuni Student Choice Awards (2026)
• Largest supplier of graduates to the public sector in the UK, Graduate Outcomes Survey (2022/23)
• Top 50 for graduate prospects, Complete University Guide (2022)
• Apprenticeship award, Educate North Awards (2024)

Social impact, equality and mobility

Recognition for reducing inequality, widening participation and social mobility.

• Top 10 university in the UK for value for money, Student Crowd Awards (2025)
• Top 5 globally for impact on reducing inequality, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings (2024)

Student life in Sheffield

Recognition for Sheffield as a top ranking place to live.

• The most affordable student city in England, Uni Compare (2025)
• One of the UK’s top ten student cities, Uni Compare (2025)
• One of the UK's top ten student cities, Student Crowd (2024)
• Sheffield is one of the most affordable cities in the UK for student accommodation, Cushman & Wakefield (2025)
• Sheffield has the third lowest monthly rents in the UK, NatWest Student Living Index (2025)
• The 4th most affordable university in the UK, based on average costs of weekly rent, food, drink and transport, The Times (2023)
• Top university in Yorkshire for halls and student accommodation, Whatuni Student Choice Awards (2026)

Research excellence and innovation

Awards and rankings highlighting research quality, collaboration and entrepreneurship.

• 78% of research rated world-leading or internationally excellent, Research Excellence Framework (REF, 2021)
• International collaboration of the year, Times Higher Education Awards (2023)

Institutional excellence and overall recognition

“University of the Year” awards and shortlistings.

• Top five university in England, Whatuni Student Choice Awards (2026)
• Shortlisted for nine categories in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards, including University of the Year (2026)
• University of the Year, Educate North Awards (2022)
• Shortlisted – University of the Year, Times Higher Education Awards (2022)