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.

I
Imperial College London

Kensington and Chelsea · QS World #2

U
University of Surrey

Guildford · QS World #246

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

10/12

Imperial College London

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

2/12

Surrey

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 10 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Surrey is ahead on employment, courses.

Imperial College London vs University of Surrey at a glance

Imperial College London and University of Surrey both teach 27 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Physics and Chemistry. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £30,000 at University of Surrey: Imperial College London is about £5,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £14,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 12 and University of Surrey in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £41,500 from University of Surrey. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 6 and University of Surrey in 4, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#2
QS World
#246
#8
THE World
#201
#5
Guardian UK
#24
1907
Established
1966
Yes
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.

Imperial College London

University of Surrey

88.9%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£54,000
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
20.2%

International

International student share

254
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
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.

Imperial College London

106 countries · 52.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China41%
  • 🇮🇳India5.8%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.1%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore3.6%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

27 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.

Imperial College London

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Politics & International Relations, Chemical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, General Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biotechnology, Aerospace Engineering, Business Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Human Geography & Environment, Medicine.

Only at Imperial College London

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

Imperial College London
£24,600
University of Surrey
£30,000

Imperial College London is about £5,400 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Surrey is about £14,000 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.

Imperial College London

University of Surrey

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    90%Satisfaction81%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    76%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    97%Satisfaction78%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    91%Satisfaction86%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    82%Satisfaction86%

  • Biochemistry

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Biomedical Engineering

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    85%Satisfaction90%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £45,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £37,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    92%Satisfaction91%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    91%Satisfaction91%

  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction85%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Imperial College London

Engineering Sainsbury Management Fellows Scholarship

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

Science Sainsbury Management Fellows Scholarship

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

J.P. Morgan Scholarship in Quantitative Finance

£45,100

Deadline: May 2026

Dean's Impact Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

W L "Bill" Byrnes Global Scholarship

£30,000

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

Imperial College London vs University of Surrey: common questions

Is Imperial College London or University of Surrey cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £30,000 at University of Surrey: Imperial College London is about £5,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £14,000 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 Imperial College London and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 27 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Management, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Biomedical Engineering and 15 more.

Is Imperial College London or University of Surrey better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £35,500 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £33,500 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Imperial College London and 81% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Imperial College London or University of Surrey offer more courses?

University of Surrey lists 271 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

What can you study at Imperial College London but not at University of Surrey?

Imperial College London teaches 15 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Biology, Ecology & Conservation, Design & Fashion, Statistics, Clinical Specialities, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Anatomy & Pathology and 7 more.

What can you study at University of Surrey but not at Imperial College London?

University of Surrey teaches 35 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Law, Music, Drama & Theatre, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Accounting and 27 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

I
Imperial College London254 courses · 90 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses