Skip to main content

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
Aston University, Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #416

U
University of Surrey

Guildford · QS World #246

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/11

Aston

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Surrey

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Surrey leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Aston University, Birmingham is ahead on TEF, established, employment, international.

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Surrey at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and University of Surrey both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Civil Engineering. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £30,000 at University of Surrey: Aston University, Birmingham is about £7,420 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £25,900 at University of Surrey: Aston University, Birmingham is about £1,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 18 and Aston University, Birmingham in 2. The widest gap is in Electronic & Electrical Engineering: £32,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £41,500 from University of Surrey. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 11 and Aston University, Birmingham in 6, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#246
#401
THE World
#201
#39
Guardian UK
#24
1895
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.

Aston University, Birmingham

University of Surrey

85.2%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
20.2%

International

International student share

169
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.

Aston

67 countries · 22.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India40.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.9%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.2%
  • 🇻🇳Vietnam4%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

33 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.

Aston University, Birmingham

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Accounting, Marketing, Biomedical Engineering, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Aerospace Engineering, Biochemistry, Human Resource Management, Technology & Logistics, Biological Sciences (General), Biotechnology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Adult Nursing, Health & Social Care, Medicine, Mental Health Nursing.

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

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

Aston University, Birmingham
£22,580
University of Surrey
£30,000

Aston University, Birmingham is about £7,420 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
University of Surrey
£25,900

Aston University, Birmingham is about £1,900 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.

Aston University, Birmingham

University of Surrey

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    64%Satisfaction86%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    83%Satisfaction81%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    81%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    95%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    85%Satisfaction78%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • Accounting

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    86%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

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

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Surrey: common questions

Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Surrey cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £30,000 at University of Surrey: Aston University, Birmingham is about £7,420 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £25,900 at University of Surrey: Aston University, Birmingham is about £1,900 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 Aston University, Birmingham and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Business Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Mathematics, Management, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Computer Science, Law and 21 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Surrey better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £32,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £41,500 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 64% at Aston University, Birmingham and 86% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Aston University, Birmingham or University of Surrey offer more courses?

University of Surrey lists 271 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at University of Surrey?

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 18 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Building & Construction, English Language, History, Information Systems & Data Science, Software Engineering, Design & Fashion, Linguistics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering and 10 more.

What can you study at University of Surrey but not at Aston University, Birmingham?

University of Surrey teaches 29 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Physics, Chemistry, Music, Drama & Theatre, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, English Literature, Computing & IT and 21 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

A
Aston University, Birmingham169 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses