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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.

C
Cardiff University

Cardiff · QS World #179

U
University of Surrey

Guildford · QS World #246

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

6/10

Surrey

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Surrey leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Cardiff University is ahead on ranking, Russell Group, established, courses.

Cardiff University vs University of Surrey at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Surrey both teach 44 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Physics and Chemistry. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £25,900 at University of Surrey, so the two cost about the same.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 21 and Cardiff University in 1. The widest gap is in Electronic & Electrical Engineering: £31,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £41,500 from University of Surrey. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 13 and Cardiff University in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#246
#201
THE World
#201
#34
Guardian UK
#24
1883
Established
1966
Yes
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.

Cardiff University

University of Surrey

86.3%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
20.2%

International

International student share

362
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.

Cardiff

89 countries · 16% international

  • 🇨🇳China22.8%
  • 🇮🇳India14.5%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia7.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

44 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.

Cardiff University

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Biological Sciences (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Psychology (General), Accounting, English Literature, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biomedical Engineering, Computing & IT, General Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Business Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Nursing (General), Biotechnology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Medicine, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Technology & Logistics, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Creative Writing, Health & Social Care, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery.

Only at Cardiff 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

Cardiff University
£30,700
University of Surrey
£30,000

University of Surrey is about £700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Surrey
£25,900

About the same.

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.

Cardiff University

University of Surrey

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    80%Satisfaction81%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    79%Satisfaction78%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    70%Satisfaction78%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    81%Satisfaction94%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    80%Satisfaction89%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    93%Satisfaction98%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    73%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff 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

Cardiff University vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £25,900 at University of Surrey, so the two cost about the same. 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 Cardiff University and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 44 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Management, Computer Science, Law, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Economics, Music and 32 more.

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

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £33,500 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at Cardiff University and 81% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Surrey offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 42 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Journalism, Welsh Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General), Ancient Languages, Architecture, Clinical Specialities, Philosophy and 34 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 18 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Drama & Theatre, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Chemical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Biochemistry, Animal Science, Community & Specialist Nursing and 10 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses