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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.

K
Kingston University

London · QS World #686

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.

4/11

Kingston

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

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.

#686
QS World
#246
#801
THE World
#201
#67
Guardian UK
#24
1899
Established
1966
No
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.

Kingston University

University of Surrey

85.4%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£31,900
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.9%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

21.9%
20.2%

International

International student share

390
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.

Kingston

91 countries · 21.9% international

  • 🇮🇳India24.1%
  • 🇨🇳China23.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.5%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan3.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States3.2%
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.

Kingston University

University of Surrey

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.

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)£30,500
    81%Satisfaction83%
  • Chemistry

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    81%Satisfaction95%
  • Aerospace Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    86%Satisfaction91%
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    90%Satisfaction86%
  • Civil Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    94%Satisfaction81%
  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    92%Satisfaction94%
  • Economics

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    78%Satisfaction89%
  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    80%Satisfaction87%
  • Computer Science

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    83%Satisfaction78%
  • Mechanical Engineering

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    86%Satisfaction91%
  • Music

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    98%Satisfaction98%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    81%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 25 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Kingston 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

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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