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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.

U
UCL (University College London)

Camden · QS World #8

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

UCL (University College London)

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Surrey

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

UCL (University College London) vs University of Surrey at a glance

UCL (University College London) and University of Surrey both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Mathematics and Psychology (General). UCL (University College London) offers 1,131 courses across 109 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £30,000 at University of Surrey, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £8,800 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, UCL (University College London) is higher in 20 and University of Surrey in 2. The widest gap is in Law: £41,000 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), against £27,000 from University of Surrey. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 14 and UCL (University College London) in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

#8
QS World
#246
#22
THE World
#201
#9
Guardian UK
#24
1826
Established
1966
Yes
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.

UCL (University College London)

University of Surrey

86.5%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£46,400
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80.4%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

51.9%
20.2%

International

International student share

1131
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

18
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.

UCL (University College London)

127 countries · 51.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.3%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.2%
  • 🇮🇳India3.4%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.4%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

47 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.

UCL (University College London)

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: French, Geology & Earth Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Law, Microbiology & Cell Biology, General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Health & Social Care, Nutrition & Dietetics, Biochemistry, Music, Computing & IT, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Accounting, Community & Specialist Nursing, English Literature, Medicine, Mental Health Nursing, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biological Sciences (General), Film Production & Cinematography, Business Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Writing, Polymer & Textiles Technology.

Only at UCL (University College 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

UCL (University College London)
£29,800
University of Surrey
£30,000

About the same.

Postgraduate

UCL (University College London)
£34,700
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Surrey is about £8,800 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.

UCL (University College London)

University of Surrey

  • Mathematics

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Psychology (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Physics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £51,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    80%Satisfaction78%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    79%Satisfaction94%

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    73%Satisfaction81%

  • Economics

    £45,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    79%Satisfaction89%

  • Management

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%Satisfaction78%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    93%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction92%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

UCL (University College London)

Commercial Bar Opportunity Scholarship

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

UCL Department of Arts and Sciences (UASc) Interdisciplinary Excellence PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Law Society Pro Bono Bursary

£250

Deadline: N/A

Alonso Gurmendi Dunkelberg, UCL Graduate Research Scholarship

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

UCL (University College London) vs University of Surrey: common questions

Is UCL (University College London) or University of Surrey cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £30,000 at University of Surrey, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £8,800 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 UCL (University College London) and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Mathematics, Psychology (General), Physics, Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Civil Engineering, Economics, Management, Business & Management (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 35 more.

Is UCL (University College London) or University of Surrey better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £41,000 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), and £34,000 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at UCL (University College London) and 86% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does UCL (University College London) or University of Surrey offer more courses?

UCL (University College London) lists 1,131 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

What can you study at UCL (University College London) but not at University of Surrey?

UCL (University College London) teaches 62 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Eastern European Languages, Ancient Languages, Planning & Housing, Italian, Architecture, Anthropology, Philosophy and 54 more.

What can you study at University of Surrey but not at UCL (University College London)?

University of Surrey teaches 15 subject areas that UCL (University College London) does not, including Drama & Theatre, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Aerospace Engineering, Nursing (General), Animal Science, Food Science, Veterinary Medicine, Adult Nursing and 7 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
UCL (University College London)1,131 courses · 18 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses