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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
Swansea University

Swansea · QS World #322

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.

2/10

Swansea

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Surrey

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Surrey leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Swansea University is ahead on established, courses.

Swansea University vs University of Surrey at a glance

Swansea University and University of Surrey both teach 46 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Politics & International Relations. Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £30,000 at University of Surrey: Swansea University is about £8,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £25,900 at University of Surrey: Swansea University is about £2,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 24 and Swansea University in 2. The widest gap is in Health Sciences & Paramedic Science: £20,500 three years after graduating from Swansea University, against £32,500 from University of Surrey. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 13 and Swansea University in 8, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#322
QS World
#246
#301
THE World
#201
#32
Guardian UK
#24
1920
Established
1966
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Swansea University

University of Surrey

86.1%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.5%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.1%
20.2%

International

International student share

916
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
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.

Swansea

73 countries · 14.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India25.4%
  • 🇨🇳China12.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.2%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.9%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

46 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.

Swansea University

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, English Literature, Biochemistry, General Engineering, Accounting, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Management, Health & Social Care, Human Geography & Environment, Biomedical Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Computing & IT, Marketing, Nursing (General), Biotechnology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Community & Specialist Nursing, Creative Writing, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Resource Management, Midwifery, Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Biological Sciences (General), Children's Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Medicine.

Only at Swansea 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

Swansea University
£21,550
University of Surrey
£30,000

Swansea University is about £8,450 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Swansea University
£22,950
University of Surrey
£25,900

Swansea University is about £2,950 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.

Swansea University

University of Surrey

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    82%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    84%Satisfaction78%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    No dataSatisfaction83%

  • Physics

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    91%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction92%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    69%Satisfaction86%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    79%Satisfaction81%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    97%Satisfaction84%

  • Chemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    99%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 26 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Swansea University

History and Heritage Studies: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with Museum Wales (RS950)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with The National Archives (RS948)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship in History with Museum Wales (RS949)

See details

Deadline: N/A

PhD Studentship in Sustainable Fusion Steels: Whole Lifecycle Design of Tokamak Vacuum Vessel Steels (RS964)

See details

Deadline: N/A

Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarships 2025/26

See details

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

Swansea University vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £30,000 at University of Surrey: Swansea University is about £8,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £25,900 at University of Surrey: Swansea University is about £2,950 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 Swansea University and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 46 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Physics, Economics, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 34 more.

Is Swansea University or University of Surrey better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, and £27,000 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Swansea University and 94% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Swansea University or University of Surrey offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

Swansea University teaches 51 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including History, Teacher Training, Genetics & Genomics, Education Studies, Media & Film Studies, American & Comparative Studies, Medical Sciences, Classical Studies and 43 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 16 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Music, Drama & Theatre, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Animal Science, Film Production & Cinematography, Food Science, Games Design & Computer Animation and 8 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

S
Swansea University916 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses