Skip to main content

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
Ulster University

Belfast · QS World #595

U
University of Surrey

Guildford · QS World #246

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/9

Ulster

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

7/9

Surrey

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Surrey leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, courses, scholarship). Ulster University is ahead on employment, international.

Ulster University vs University of Surrey at a glance

Ulster University and University of Surrey both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Law. Ulster University offers 170 courses across 66 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,490 a year at Ulster University and £30,000 at University of Surrey: Ulster University is about £12,510 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 11 and Ulster University in 10, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#595
QS World
#246
#601
THE World
#201
#60
Guardian UK
#24
1968
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.

Ulster University

University of Surrey

86.4%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.6%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.5%
20.2%

International

International student share

170
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Ulster

45 countries · 32.5% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan27.8%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland21.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.1%
  • 🇮🇳India12.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.6%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

33 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.

Ulster University

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Psychology (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mechanical Engineering, English Literature, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computing & IT, Film Production & Cinematography, General Engineering, Health & Social Care, Games Design & Computer Animation, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Resource Management, Medicine.

Only at Ulster 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

Ulster University
£17,490
University of Surrey
£30,000

Ulster University is about £12,510 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Ulster University
No data
University of Surrey
£25,900

We do not have reliable international fee data for Ulster University 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.

Ulster University

University of Surrey

  • Civil Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£33,500
    100%Satisfaction81%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£41,500
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£27,000
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£41,500
    79%Satisfaction78%

  • Management

    No dataSalary (3 years)£30,500
    73%Satisfaction78%

  • Accounting

    No dataSalary (3 years)£32,500
    95%Satisfaction86%

  • Music

    No dataSalary (3 years)£23,000
    90%Satisfaction98%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    No dataSalary (3 years)£25,000
    84%Satisfaction92%

  • Economics

    No dataSalary (3 years)£40,000
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Politics & International Relations

    No dataSalary (3 years)£29,000
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    No dataSalary (3 years)£25,000
    96%Satisfaction85%

  • Nutrition & Dietetics

    No dataSalary (3 years)£28,000
    95%Satisfaction94%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Ulster University

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

Ulster University vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,490 a year at Ulster University and £30,000 at University of Surrey: Ulster University is about £12,510 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 Ulster University and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Law, Computer Science, Management, Accounting, Music, Sociology & Criminology, Economics, Politics & International Relations, Business Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 21 more.

Does Ulster University or University of Surrey offer more courses?

University of Surrey lists 271 courses on CourseOptions and Ulster University lists 170 courses.

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

Ulster University teaches 33 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Design & Fashion, Social Work, Irish Studies, Journalism, Building & Construction, English Studies, History, Media & Film Studies and 25 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 29 subject areas that Ulster University does not, including Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Aerospace Engineering, Biochemistry, Nursing (General), Animal Science and 21 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
Ulster University170 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses