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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.

O
Open University

None · THE World #801

U
University of Surrey

Guildford · QS World #246

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/9

Open

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

6/9

Surrey

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Surrey leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Open University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, courses.

Open University vs University of Surrey at a glance

Open University and University of Surrey both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Computer Science and Law. Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 16 and Open University in 4, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in French: £19,500 three years after graduating from Open University, against £33,000 from University of Surrey. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 10 and University of Surrey in 8, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#246
#801
THE World
#201
—
Guardian UK
#24
1969
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.

Open University

University of Surrey

89.8%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
20.2%

International

International student share

337
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.

Open

25 countries · 0.2% international

  • 🇩🇪Germany8.9%
  • 🌐Cyprus (European Union)6.7%
  • 🇫🇷France6.7%
  • 🇨🇳China4.4%
  • 🇮🇳India4.4%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

33 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.

Open University

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Childhood & Youth Studies, Computing & IT, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, English Literature, Human Geography & Environment, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Sciences, Health & Social Care, Nursing (General), Human Resource Management, French, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Creative Writing, Geology & Earth Sciences, Mental Health Nursing.

Only at Open 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

Open University
No data
University of Surrey
£30,000

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open University yet.

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
University of Surrey
£25,900

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open University yet.

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.

Open University

University of Surrey

  • Business & Management (General)

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    95%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    91%Satisfaction78%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    96%Satisfaction94%

  • Physics

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    98%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Mathematics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    93%Satisfaction86%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Management

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    No dataSatisfaction78%

  • Economics

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    91%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open 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

Open University vs University of Surrey: common questions

What subjects can you study at both Open University and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Law, Physics, Sociology & Criminology, Mathematics, Psychology (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Management, Economics, Politics & International Relations and 21 more.

Is Open University or University of Surrey better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £32,000 three years after graduating from Open University, and £30,500 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at Open University and 83% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or University of Surrey offer more courses?

Open University lists 337 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

Open University teaches 35 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including History, Humanities, Education Studies, Social Work, English Language, Combined & General Studies, Environmental Sciences, Philosophy and 27 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 29 subject areas that Open University does not, including Civil Engineering, Drama & Theatre, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Chemical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Biochemistry and 21 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

O
Open University337 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses