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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.

T
The University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #35

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.

8/11

Edinburgh

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Surrey

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

The University of Edinburgh leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, courses, scholarship). University of Surrey is ahead on satisfaction, employment, graduate salary.

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Surrey at a glance

The University of Edinburgh and University of Surrey both teach 53 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Physics. The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £30,000 at University of Surrey: The University of Edinburgh is about £400 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 19 and The University of Edinburgh in 3, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Electronic & Electrical Engineering: £34,000 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, against £41,500 from University of Surrey. Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 20 and The University of Edinburgh in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

#35
QS World
#246
#29
THE World
#201
#17
Guardian UK
#24
1583
Established
1966
Yes
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.

The University of Edinburgh

University of Surrey

85.3%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

41.6%
20.2%

International

International student share

936
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

112
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.

Edinburgh

122 countries · 41.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.5%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.3%
  • 🇮🇳India5.4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.7%
  • 🇨🇦Canada2.4%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

53 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.

The University of Edinburgh

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: English Literature, Management, Veterinary Medicine, Music, Business & Management (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Animal Science, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Finance & Actuarial Science, Biomedical Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Drama & Theatre, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Accounting, Biochemistry, Computing & IT, General Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Mechanical Engineering, Nursing (General), Biotechnology, Film Production & Cinematography, Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Writing, Childhood & Youth Studies, Community & Specialist Nursing, Health & Social Care, Marketing, Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Minerals & Mining Technology, Polymer & Textiles Technology, Technology & Logistics.

Only at The University of Edinburgh

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

The University of Edinburgh
£29,600
University of Surrey
£30,000

The University of Edinburgh is about £400 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

The University of Edinburgh
No data
University of Surrey
£25,900

We do not have reliable international fee data for The University of Edinburgh 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.

The University of Edinburgh

University of Surrey

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    74%Satisfaction78%

  • Physics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • Chemistry

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Civil Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    87%Satisfaction81%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    82%Satisfaction92%

  • Economics

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    81%Satisfaction89%

  • French

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    87%Satisfaction100%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction95%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

The University of Edinburgh

Asylum Seeker Scholarship

£21,000

Deadline: N/A

Education Beyond Borders postgraduate scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

Cameron Law Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Online Learning Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Rosedale OSSD University of Edinburgh Scholarship

£10,000

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

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Surrey: common questions

Is The University of Edinburgh or University of Surrey cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £30,000 at University of Surrey: The University of Edinburgh is about £400 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 The University of Edinburgh and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 53 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Medicine, Business Studies, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Economics, French and 41 more.

Is The University of Edinburgh or University of Surrey better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, and £27,000 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at The University of Edinburgh and 94% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does The University of Edinburgh or University of Surrey offer more courses?

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

What can you study at The University of Edinburgh but not at University of Surrey?

The University of Edinburgh teaches 63 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, Teacher Training, History, Philosophy, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Classical Studies, Spanish & Portuguese and 55 more.

What can you study at University of Surrey but not at The University of Edinburgh?

University of Surrey teaches 9 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Food Science, Games Design & Computer Animation, Agriculture & Land Management, Children's Nursing, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Human Resource Management and 1 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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The University of Edinburgh936 courses · 112 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses