The University
Overall, the University was ranked 95th in the world, and 17th in the UK, by the QS World University Rankings, reaffirming our position as a leading global university for teaching and research excellence. The QS global ranking is the most-consulted independent evaluation of the world’s 1,300 top universities.
Student satisfaction
Despite the challenging year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the overall satisfaction of Sheffield students is at 80 per cent - four per cent above the national sector-wide average, according to the National Student Survey (NSS). This placed the University fifth for student satisfaction in the Russell Group, with a number of subjects ranked top in the UK.
Bioengineering, medical and biomedical engineering and landscape design were all ranked top in the UK for student satisfaction, while the subjects of production and manufacturing engineering; zoology; aeronautical and aerospace engineering; economics; health studies; ophthalmics and artificial intelligence were ranked top in the Russell Group.
Professor Mary Vincent, Interim Vice-President for Education at the University of Sheffield, said: “We are extremely proud that in an unprecedented and challenging year, our students continue to rank us so highly for satisfaction in their learning and teaching. This is testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff across the University.
“Listening to the views of our students is a vital part of our work at the University of Sheffield and we are grateful to all of the students who took part in the National Student Survey.”
Subject rankings
The 2022 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject named Sheffield as one of the best universities in the world for teaching and research in the arts and humanities. Sheffield was ranked 67th out of more than 600 universities worldwide by one of the most renowned league tables, which highlights institutions that are leading in subjects such as languages, literature, linguistics, history, philosophy, music, architecture and archaeology.
This is great recognition for the work undertaken in the faculty, which is at the heart of understanding human society, with the understanding of people's lives, experiences, beliefs and values - both past and present - being absolutely vital when tackling the greatest issues facing humanity today.
Other subject areas that placed in the top 100 include: Law, which ranked 64th; Education, which ranked 73rd; Social Sciences, which ranked 88th; Engineering and Technology, which ranked 91st; and Health, which ranked 93rd.
Special recognition for our Maker School
American weekly news magazine Newsweek named Sheffield as one of the best maker schools in the world. Working in collaboration with Make – a publisher central to the Maker movement – the list highlights higher education institutions that encourage learning by doing and have excellent support and facilities for students to make outside of their studies.
The list is intended to help potential students with an interest in making explore potential universities, as well as help employers who are looking for candidates with 21st century skills.
Institutions featured in the list have been highlighted for having educators who are committed to collaborative problem solving and have well-developed makerspaces, labs and studios.
The Best Maker Schools support diverse, interactive communities that engage in knowledge and skill sharing, demonstrate excellence in mentoring, guidance and coaching for making, and have spaces and tools that support independent, collaborative projects.
A central example of Sheffield’s commitment to Maker Education is the iForge - a 24-7 student-led makerspace that gives students the opportunity to collaborate, create and make outside of their academic studies.
Dr Pete Mylon, Academic Lead for the iForge, said: “Making has always been at the heart of Sheffield as a city, and the facilities we have established have enabled us to build a community of makers that continues to grow and do more, whether it's assistive technology make-a-thons, jewellery workshops or launching rockets to 36,000 ft! This is what really makes Sheffield the place to come to in the UK if you love making, and it’s great to see this recognised by Make, one of the founders of the global maker movement.”