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.

D
Durham University

Durham · QS World #85

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.

10/11

Durham

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

1/11

Surrey

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

Durham University leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Surrey is ahead on employment.

Durham University vs University of Surrey at a glance

Durham University and University of Surrey both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being Economics, Chemistry and Law. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £1,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £4,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 12 and University of Surrey in 2. The widest gap is in Accounting: £44,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £32,500 from University of Surrey. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 8 and University of Surrey in 5, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#85
QS World
#246
#175
THE World
#201
#6
Guardian UK
#24
1832
Established
1966
Yes
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Durham University

University of Surrey

90.7%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£43,800
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
20.2%

International

International student share

278
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

102
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.

Durham

86 countries · 32.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.4%
  • 🇮🇳India5.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.9%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.6%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

30 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.

Durham University

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Music, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, English Literature, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biotechnology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Marketing.

Only at Durham 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

Durham University
£31,000
University of Surrey
£30,000

University of Surrey is about £1,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Surrey is about £4,600 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.

Durham University

University of Surrey

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Chemistry

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    96%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • Physics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    87%Satisfaction78%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Psychology (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    91%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Accounting

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    97%Satisfaction98%

  • English Literature

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    93%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Durham University

Sir Harry Evans Global Fellowship

£53,333

Deadline: N/A

Durham Inspiring Excellence Scholarships - Undergraduate

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

The Global DBA Scholarships

£25,000

Deadline: Nov 2026

The Mary Ward Postgraduate Scholarship Fund

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

Global Grand Challenges Studentships

£20,780

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

Durham University vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £1,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £4,600 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 Durham University and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 30 subject areas: Economics, Chemistry, Law, Physics, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Management, Psychology (General), Mathematics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Civil Engineering and 18 more.

Is Durham University or University of Surrey better for Economics?

Economics graduates earn a median £42,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £40,000 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Durham University and 89% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or University of Surrey offer more courses?

Durham University lists 278 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

Durham University teaches 24 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Studies, Natural Sciences, Ancient Languages, Education Studies, Philosophy and 16 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 32 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Drama & Theatre, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Computing & IT, Aerospace Engineering, Nursing (General) and 24 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

D
Durham University278 courses · 102 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses