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Compare any two UK universities

Select any two universities below and we'll generate an instant, data-driven comparison — rankings, salaries, student satisfaction, international community, and more.

A
Abertay University

Dundee · Guardian UK #55

U
University of Surrey

Guildford · QS World #246

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/8

Abertay

scored higher in 1 category

VS

7/8

Surrey

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Surrey leads in 7 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Abertay University is ahead on established.

Abertay University vs University of Surrey at a glance

Abertay University and University of Surrey both teach 23 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Business & Management (General) and Law. Abertay University offers 82 courses across 31 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,950 a year at Abertay University and £30,000 at University of Surrey: Abertay University is about £13,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,950 a year at Abertay University and £25,900 at University of Surrey: Abertay University is about £6,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 13 and Abertay University in 1. The widest gap is in Accounting: £20,500 three years after graduating from Abertay University, against £32,500 from University of Surrey. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 9 and Abertay University in 3.

World & National Rankings

Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.

—
QS World
#246
—
THE World
#201
#55
Guardian UK
#24
1888
Established
1966
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Abertay University

University of Surrey

88%
88.7%

Satisfaction

Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)

£29,600
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80.5%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

9.3%
20.2%

International

International student share

82
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
36

Scholarships

Number of scholarships

International Community

Where do international students come from?

Top source countries based on official HESA enrolment data. A higher diversity of nationalities often means a richer campus experience.

Abertay

29 countries · 9.3% international

  • 🇫🇷France28%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇺🇸United States8.6%
  • 🇨🇳China3.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.2%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

  • 🇮🇳India25%
  • 🇨🇳China8.3%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.4%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia5.1%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates3.2%

Subjects

23 subjects you can study at both

Courses listed at each university in the subject, and the typical (median) international fee a year. Select a count to see the courses.

Abertay University

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Food Science, Human Geography & Environment, Film Production & Cinematography, Clinical & Health Psychology, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing.

Only at Abertay University

Only at University of Surrey

Fees

What it costs international students

The typical (median) international tuition fee a year across each university's published course fees. Individual courses vary; each course page shows its own fee.

Undergraduate

Abertay University
£16,950
University of Surrey
£30,000

Abertay University is about £13,050 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Abertay University
£18,950
University of Surrey
£25,900

Abertay University is about £6,950 a year cheaper.

Outcomes

Graduate outcomes by subject

Median graduate salary three years after graduating, and student satisfaction with teaching, across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject. Source: Discover Uni.

Abertay University

University of Surrey

  • Civil Engineering

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    93%Satisfaction81%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    64%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Management

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    No dataSatisfaction78%

  • Accounting

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    73%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    No dataSatisfaction78%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Games Design & Computer Animation

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    87%Satisfaction79%

  • Nutrition & Dietetics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    No dataSatisfaction94%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    83%Satisfaction85%

Showing the 12 largest of 15 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Abertay University

View all scholarships →

University of Surrey

The Professor GQ Max Lu Global Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

Machine learning enhanced muon imaging for nuclear waste monitoring and safeguards

£26,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Nanoscale standardisation of DNA damage for Emerging Isotopes in Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection

£26,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Understanding the dynamics of space radiation hazards using measurements from novel in-situ detectors

£26,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

AI for proton-acoustics for real-time 3D dosimetry of proton therapy

£25,805

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Abertay University vs University of Surrey: common questions

Is Abertay University or University of Surrey cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,950 a year at Abertay University and £30,000 at University of Surrey: Abertay University is about £13,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,950 a year at Abertay University and £25,900 at University of Surrey: Abertay University is about £6,950 a year cheaper. These are medians of the international tuition fees each university publishes for its courses; the fee for a specific course is on its course page.

What subjects can you study at both Abertay University and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 23 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Business & Management (General), Law, Management, Accounting, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Games Design & Computer Animation, Nutrition & Dietetics, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences and 11 more.

Is Abertay University or University of Surrey better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £27,000 three years after graduating from Abertay University, and £33,500 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at Abertay University and 81% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Abertay University or University of Surrey offer more courses?

University of Surrey lists 271 courses on CourseOptions and Abertay University lists 82 courses.

What can you study at Abertay University but not at University of Surrey?

Abertay University teaches 8 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Applied Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Applied Computing, Building & Construction, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Forensic Science, Software Engineering and Statistics.

What can you study at University of Surrey but not at Abertay University?

University of Surrey teaches 39 subject areas that Abertay University does not, including Physics, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Economics, Music, Drama & Theatre, English Literature and 31 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

A
Abertay University82 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses