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.
London · QS World #686
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
Kingston
scored higher in 4 categories
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, employment, graduate salary, scholarship). Kingston University is ahead on TEF, established, international, courses.
Kingston University vs University of Surrey at a glance
Kingston University and University of Surrey both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Chemistry and Aerospace Engineering. Kingston University offers 390 courses across 67 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Kingston University and £30,000 at University of Surrey: Kingston University is about £11,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at Kingston University and £25,900 at University of Surrey: Kingston University is about £7,000 a year cheaper.
Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 18 and Kingston University in 7. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £24,500 three years after graduating from Kingston University, against £41,500 from University of Surrey. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 17 and Kingston University in 5, with 2 about level.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Kingston University
University of Surrey
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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.
Kingston
91 countries · 21.9% international
- 🇮🇳India24.1%
- 🇨🇳China23.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria3.5%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan3.2%
- 🇺🇸United States3.2%
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.
Kingston University
University of Surrey
Business & Management (General)
34 coursesTypical fee £18,900 (PG)
9 coursesTypical fee £30,000 (UG)
Chemistry
11 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £19,500 (UG)
Aerospace Engineering
21 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
3 coursesFee not available
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
10 coursesTypical fee £19,200 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £28,100 (UG)
Civil Engineering
9 coursesTypical fee £19,200 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £30,000 (UG)
Law
10 coursesTypical fee £19,200 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £30,000 (UG)
Economics
Psychology (General)
Computer Science
Management
2 coursesTypical fee £21,300 (PG)
13 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Mechanical Engineering
11 coursesTypical fee £18,500 (UG)
3 coursesFee not available
Childhood & Youth Studies
11 coursesTypical fee £19,200 (PG)
2 coursesFee not available
Music
Sociology & Criminology
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Midwifery, Nutrition & Dietetics, Computing & IT, Drama & Theatre, Games Design & Computer Animation, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Creative Writing, Film Production & Cinematography, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Nursing (General), Adult Nursing, Chemical Engineering, Children's Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Human Geography & Environment, General Engineering, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Technology & Logistics.
Only at Kingston University
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
- Kingston University
- £18,500
- University of Surrey
- £30,000
Kingston University is about £11,500 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Kingston University
- £18,900
- University of Surrey
- £25,900
Kingston University is about £7,000 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.
Kingston University
University of Surrey
Business & Management (General)
£25,500Salary (3 years)£30,50081%Satisfaction83%Chemistry
£25,500Salary (3 years)£30,50081%Satisfaction95%Aerospace Engineering
£29,500Salary (3 years)£34,50086%Satisfaction91%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£33,500Salary (3 years)£41,50090%Satisfaction86%Civil Engineering
£26,500Salary (3 years)£33,50094%Satisfaction81%Law
£23,000Salary (3 years)£27,00092%Satisfaction94%Economics
£26,500Salary (3 years)£40,00078%Satisfaction89%Psychology (General)
£22,500Salary (3 years)£26,50080%Satisfaction87%Computer Science
£24,500Salary (3 years)£41,50083%Satisfaction78%Mechanical Engineering
£25,500Salary (3 years)£33,50086%Satisfaction91%Music
£22,500Salary (3 years)£23,00098%Satisfaction98%Sociology & Criminology
£25,500Salary (3 years)£25,00081%Satisfaction92%
Showing the 12 largest of 25 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveKingston 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
FAQ
Kingston University vs University of Surrey: common questions
Is Kingston University or University of Surrey cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Kingston University and £30,000 at University of Surrey: Kingston University is about £11,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at Kingston University and £25,900 at University of Surrey: Kingston University is about £7,000 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 Kingston University and University of Surrey?
Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Chemistry, Aerospace Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Law, Economics, Psychology (General), Computer Science, Management, Mechanical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies and 30 more.
Is Kingston University or University of Surrey better for Business & Management (General)?
Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £25,500 three years after graduating from Kingston University, and £30,500 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Kingston University and 83% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Kingston University or University of Surrey offer more courses?
Kingston University lists 390 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.
What can you study at Kingston University but not at University of Surrey?
Kingston University teaches 25 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Applied Psychology, Environmental Sciences, Architecture, Education Studies, Media & Film Studies, Creative Arts (General) and 17 more.
What can you study at University of Surrey but not at Kingston University?
University of Surrey teaches 20 subject areas that Kingston University does not, including Physics, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, English Literature, Biomedical Engineering, Animal Science, Biotechnology and 12 more.
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