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.
Birmingham · THE World #801
Guildford · QS World #246
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 8 datapoints
We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
1/8
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
scored higher in 1 category
7/8
Surrey
scored higher in 7 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Surrey leads in 7 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is ahead on established.
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire vs University of Surrey at a glance
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and University of Surrey both teach 2 subject areas, the largest being Music and Drama & Theatre. Royal Birmingham Conservatoire offers 54 courses across 2 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and £30,000 at University of Surrey: Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is about £1,540 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £12,880 a year at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and £25,900 at University of Surrey: Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is about £13,020 a year cheaper.
Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 2 and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 0. The widest gap is in Drama & Theatre: £18,500 three years after graduating from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, against £23,000 from University of Surrey. Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is higher in 1 and University of Surrey in 1.
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.
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
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.
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
69 countries · 15.9% international
- 🇮🇳India40.6%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan17.5%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria9.2%
- 🇨🇳China8.6%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%
Surrey
90 countries · 20.2% international
- 🇮🇳India25%
- 🇨🇳China8.3%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.4%
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia5.1%
- 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates3.2%
Subjects
2 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.
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
University of Surrey
Music
51 coursesTypical fee £28,460 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £30,000 (UG)
Drama & Theatre
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
- Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
- £28,460
- University of Surrey
- £30,000
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is about £1,540 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
- £12,880
- University of Surrey
- £25,900
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is about £13,020 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.
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
University of Surrey
Music
£19,500Salary (3 years)£23,00095%Satisfaction98%Drama & Theatre
£18,500Salary (3 years)£23,00093%Satisfaction83%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveRoyal Birmingham Conservatoire
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
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire vs University of Surrey: common questions
Is Royal Birmingham Conservatoire or University of Surrey cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and £30,000 at University of Surrey: Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is about £1,540 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £12,880 a year at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and £25,900 at University of Surrey: Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is about £13,020 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 Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and University of Surrey?
Both universities teach 2 subject areas: Music and Drama & Theatre.
Is Royal Birmingham Conservatoire or University of Surrey better for Music?
Music graduates earn a median £19,500 three years after graduating from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and £23,000 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and 98% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Royal Birmingham Conservatoire or University of Surrey offer more courses?
University of Surrey lists 271 courses on CourseOptions and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire lists 54 courses.
What can you study at University of Surrey but not at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire?
University of Surrey teaches 60 subject areas that Royal Birmingham Conservatoire does not, including Physics, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Management, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Economics and 52 more.
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