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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.

S
SOAS University of London

London · QS World #458

U
University of Surrey

Guildford · QS World #246

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/10

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Surrey

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Surrey leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, scholarship). SOAS University of London is ahead on established, international, courses.

SOAS University of London vs University of Surrey at a glance

SOAS University of London and University of Surrey both teach 12 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and Economics. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £30,000 at University of Surrey: SOAS University of London is about £6,220 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £25,900 at University of Surrey: SOAS University of London is about £580 a year cheaper.

Of the 6 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 4 and SOAS University of London in 2. The widest gap is in Economics: £35,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £40,000 from University of Surrey. Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 5 and SOAS University of London in 1, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#458
QS World
#246
#401
THE World
#201
#86
Guardian UK
#24
1916
Established
1966
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

SOAS University of London

University of Surrey

84.1%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
20.2%

International

International student share

296
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
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.

SOAS University of London

67 countries · 25.7% international

  • 🇨🇳China10.9%
  • 🇮🇳India10.6%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.6%
  • 🇫🇷France3.6%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

12 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.

SOAS University of London

University of Surrey

Only at SOAS University of London

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

SOAS University of London
£23,780
University of Surrey
£30,000

SOAS University of London is about £6,220 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
University of Surrey
£25,900

SOAS University of London is about £580 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.

SOAS University of London

University of Surrey

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    77%Satisfaction94%

  • Economics

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Music

    No dataSalary (3 years)£23,000
    87%Satisfaction98%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    73%Satisfaction78%

  • Accounting

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    88%Satisfaction86%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

SOAS University of London

SOAS International Academic Excellence Scholarship

£20,000

Deadline: May 2026

SOAS Sustainable Development Goal Scholarship

£15,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

SOAS Academic Excellence Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: May 2026

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

SOAS University of London vs University of Surrey: common questions

Is SOAS University of London or University of Surrey cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £30,000 at University of Surrey: SOAS University of London is about £6,220 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £25,900 at University of Surrey: SOAS University of London is about £580 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 SOAS University of London and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 12 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, Economics, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Music, Civil Engineering, Management, Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting and Biological Sciences (General).

Is SOAS University of London or University of Surrey better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £29,000 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at SOAS University of London and 90% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does SOAS University of London or University of Surrey offer more courses?

SOAS University of London lists 296 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at University of Surrey?

SOAS University of London teaches 17 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Media & Film Studies, Asian Languages & Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Ancient Languages, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), History of Art & Design, History and 9 more.

What can you study at University of Surrey but not at SOAS University of London?

University of Surrey teaches 50 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science, Drama & Theatre, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Psychology (General) and 42 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

S
SOAS University of London296 courses · 27 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses