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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.

B
Birmingham City University

Birmingham · QS World #1001

U
University of Surrey

Guildford · QS World #246

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 3 datapoints

We looked at 3 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/3

Birmingham City

scored higher in 1 category

VS

2/3

Surrey

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Surrey leads in 2 of 3 categories where both have data (ranking, scholarship). Birmingham City University is ahead on courses.

Birmingham City University vs University of Surrey at a glance

Birmingham City University and University of Surrey both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Civil Engineering and Computer Science. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £30,000 at University of Surrey: Birmingham City University is about £11,430 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 21 and Birmingham City University in 2. The widest gap is in Games Design & Computer Animation: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £41,500 from University of Surrey. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 16 and Birmingham City University in 5, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#246
—
THE World
#201
—
Guardian UK
#24
N/A
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.

Birmingham City 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

284
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
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.

Birmingham City

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

    42 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.

    Birmingham City University

    University of Surrey

    Also taught at both: Business Studies, Economics, Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Politics & International Relations, Drama & Theatre, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Biomedical Sciences, Nutrition & Dietetics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Health & Social Care, English Literature, Community & Specialist Nursing, Mechanical Engineering, Biochemistry, Technology & Logistics, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Midwifery, Minerals & Mining Technology, Adult Nursing, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Children's Nursing.

    Only at Birmingham City 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

    Birmingham City University
    £18,570
    University of Surrey
    £30,000

    Birmingham City University is about £11,430 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    University of Surrey
    £25,900

    We do not have reliable international fee data for Birmingham City 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.

    Birmingham City University

    University of Surrey

    • Civil Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
      92%Satisfaction81%

    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
      78%Satisfaction78%

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
      80%Satisfaction94%

    • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
      81%Satisfaction86%

    • Business & Management (General)

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
      83%Satisfaction83%

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
      89%Satisfaction92%

    • Accounting

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
      74%Satisfaction86%

    • Music

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
      95%Satisfaction98%

    • Psychology (General)

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
      79%Satisfaction87%

    • Economics

      £24,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
      77%Satisfaction89%

    • Film Production & Cinematography

      £18,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
      86%Satisfaction99%

    • Games Design & Computer Animation

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
      94%Satisfaction79%

    Showing the 12 largest of 24 shared subjects with published outcomes.

    Scholarships for International Students

    Exclusive

    Birmingham City University

    Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Millennium Point Scholarship

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Scott Trust Bursary

    £7,415

    Deadline: N/A

    Santander Scholarship

    £2,000

    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

    Birmingham City University vs University of Surrey: common questions

    Is Birmingham City University or University of Surrey cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £30,000 at University of Surrey: Birmingham City University is about £11,430 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 Birmingham City University and University of Surrey?

    Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Law, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Nursing (General), Business & Management (General), Management, Finance & Actuarial Science, Marketing, Sociology & Criminology, Mathematics and 30 more.

    Is Birmingham City University or University of Surrey better for Civil Engineering?

    Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £33,500 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Birmingham City University and 81% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Birmingham City University or University of Surrey offer more courses?

    Birmingham City University lists 284 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

    Birmingham City University teaches 26 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Media & Film Studies, Software Engineering, Architecture, Fine Art, Journalism, Crafts & Applied Arts and 18 more.

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

    University of Surrey teaches 20 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Computing & IT, Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Animal Science, Biological Sciences (General) and 12 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

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

    B
    Birmingham City University284 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
    U
    University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses