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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.

L
Lancaster University

Lancaster · QS World #164

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.

7/11

Lancaster

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

4/11

Surrey

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Lancaster University leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, international, courses). University of Surrey is ahead on satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, scholarship.

Lancaster University vs University of Surrey at a glance

Lancaster University and University of Surrey both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Business & Management (General) and Physics. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £30,000 at University of Surrey: Lancaster University is about £1,320 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £25,900 at University of Surrey: Lancaster University is about £1,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 19 and Lancaster University in 1. The widest gap is in Electronic & Electrical Engineering: £32,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £41,500 from University of Surrey. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 10 and University of Surrey in 7, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#246
#184
THE World
#201
#10
Guardian UK
#24
1964
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.

Lancaster University

University of Surrey

88.5%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
20.2%

International

International student share

526
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
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.

Lancaster

83 countries · 22.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China41.1%
  • 🇮🇳India9.8%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.9%
  • 🇪🇸Spain3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

38 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.

Lancaster University

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Management, Civil Engineering, Psychology (General), Accounting, Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Drama & Theatre, Mechanical Engineering, Biochemistry, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biological Sciences (General), Business Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computing & IT, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Health & Social Care, Creative Writing, Medicine, Clinical & Health Psychology, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Technology & Logistics.

Only at Lancaster 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

Lancaster University
£28,680
University of Surrey
£30,000

Lancaster University is about £1,320 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of Surrey
£25,900

Lancaster University is about £1,600 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.

Lancaster University

University of Surrey

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    68%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    80%Satisfaction78%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • Chemistry

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    100%Satisfaction95%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    85%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Lancaster University

India Scholarship – Postgraduate

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

LPDP Scholarship 2026

100%

Deadline: N/A

Lancaster Sanctuary Fellowship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Master's Scholarship for Black British Students

100%

Deadline: N/A

Fulgoni Scholarship

£5,000

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

Lancaster University vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £30,000 at University of Surrey: Lancaster University is about £1,320 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £25,900 at University of Surrey: Lancaster University is about £1,600 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 Lancaster University and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Physics, Politics & International Relations, Biomedical Sciences, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Law, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and 26 more.

Is Lancaster University or University of Surrey better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £34,000 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Lancaster University and 86% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of Surrey offer more courses?

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 33 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Linguistics, Media & Film Studies, Environmental Sciences, Philosophy, Geography (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Operational Research, Pharmacology and 25 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 24 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Music, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Nursing (General), Animal Science, Biotechnology and 16 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

L
Lancaster University526 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses