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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
Aberystwyth University

Aberystwyth · QS World #801

U
University of Surrey

Guildford · QS World #246

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 6 datapoints

We looked at 6 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/6

Aberystwyth

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

3/6

Surrey

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Aberystwyth University and University of Surrey are evenly matched: each leads in 3 of 6 categories where both have data. Aberystwyth University is ahead on TEF, established, courses; University of Surrey on ranking, scholarship.

Aberystwyth University vs University of Surrey at a glance

Aberystwyth University and University of Surrey both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Physics and Politics & International Relations. Aberystwyth University offers 414 courses across 66 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,720 a year at Aberystwyth University and £30,000 at University of Surrey: Aberystwyth University is about £9,280 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 17 and Aberystwyth University in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £22,500 three years after graduating from Aberystwyth University, against £40,000 from University of Surrey. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aberystwyth University is higher in 15 and University of Surrey in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
#246
—
THE World
#201
#62
Guardian UK
#24
1872
Established
1966
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Aberystwyth University

University of Surrey

No data
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
20.2%

International

International student share

414
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

22
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.

Aberystwyth

No published data on international students

    VS

    Surrey

    90 countries · 20.2% international

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

    Subjects

    35 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.

    Aberystwyth University

    University of Surrey

    Also taught at both: Creative Writing, Finance & Actuarial Science, Animal Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Literature, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Computing & IT, Biochemistry, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Biological Sciences (General), Film Production & Cinematography, French, Mental Health Nursing, Veterinary Medicine, Adult Nursing.

    Only at Aberystwyth 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

    Aberystwyth University
    £20,720
    University of Surrey
    £30,000

    Aberystwyth University is about £9,280 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Aberystwyth University
    No data
    University of Surrey
    £25,900

    We do not have reliable international fee data for Aberystwyth University yet.

    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.

    Aberystwyth University

    University of Surrey

    • Mathematics

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
      97%Satisfaction86%

    • Physics

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
      91%Satisfaction87%

    • Politics & International Relations

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
      92%Satisfaction90%

    • Computer Science

      £34,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
      84%Satisfaction78%

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
      87%Satisfaction94%

    • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

      No dataSalary (3 years)£41,500
      89%Satisfaction86%

    • Economics

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
      73%Satisfaction89%

    • Psychology (General)

      £18,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
      91%Satisfaction87%

    • Drama & Theatre

      £17,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
      92%Satisfaction83%

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £20,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
      87%Satisfaction92%

    • Accounting

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
      98%Satisfaction86%

    • Animal Science

      £20,000Salary (3 years)No data
      90%Satisfaction86%

    Showing the 12 largest of 23 shared subjects with published outcomes.

    Scholarships for International Students

    Exclusive

    Aberystwyth University

    International Accommodation Award

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    International Accommodation Award

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship Exam

    £6,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Vice-Chancellor's Regional Scholarship (PG)

    £3,000

    Deadline: N/A

    David Game College Scholarship

    £2,500

    Deadline: N/A

    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

    Aberystwyth University vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,720 a year at Aberystwyth University and £30,000 at University of Surrey: Aberystwyth University is about £9,280 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 Aberystwyth University and University of Surrey?

    Both universities teach 35 subject areas: Mathematics, Physics, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Law, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Economics, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Drama & Theatre, Sociology & Criminology, Accounting and 23 more.

    Is Aberystwyth University or University of Surrey better for Mathematics?

    Mathematics graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Aberystwyth University, and £34,000 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Aberystwyth University and 86% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Aberystwyth University or University of Surrey offer more courses?

    Aberystwyth University lists 414 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

    Aberystwyth University teaches 31 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including History, Welsh Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Ecology & Conservation, Zoology & Animal Biology, Environmental Sciences, Fine Art, Information & Library Studies and 23 more.

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

    University of Surrey teaches 27 subject areas that Aberystwyth University does not, including Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Music, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Engineering and 19 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

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

    A
    Aberystwyth University414 courses · 22 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
    U
    University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses