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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.

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University of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

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

Birmingham

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Surrey

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham 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.

University of Birmingham vs University of Surrey at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of Surrey both teach 49 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and Physics. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Birmingham is about £2,910 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Birmingham is about £2,510 a year cheaper.

Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 22 and University of Birmingham in 7, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Electronic & Electrical Engineering: £33,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £41,500 from University of Surrey. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 23 and University of Birmingham in 5, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#246
#98
THE World
#201
#18
Guardian UK
#24
1900
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.

University of Birmingham

University of Surrey

86.7%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
20.2%

International

International student share

663
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
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.

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China55.7%
  • 🇮🇳India9.4%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

49 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.

University of Birmingham

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Geology & Earth Sciences, Marketing, Psychology (General), Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Chemical Engineering, Drama & Theatre, Business Studies, Nursing (General), Accounting, French, General Engineering, Medicine, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Childhood & Youth Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, English Literature, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Clinical & Health Psychology, Computing & IT, Creative Writing, Adult Nursing, Biotechnology, Human Geography & Environment, Film Production & Cinematography, Mental Health Nursing, Children's Nursing, Human Resource Management, Midwifery.

Only at University of Birmingham

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

University of Birmingham
£27,090
University of Surrey
£30,000

University of Birmingham is about £2,910 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Birmingham is about £2,510 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.

University of Birmingham

University of Surrey

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    83%Satisfaction94%

  • Physics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • Civil Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    78%Satisfaction81%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    79%Satisfaction83%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • Music

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction98%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    No dataSatisfaction84%

  • Management

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    84%Satisfaction78%

  • Economics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    85%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 31 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Birmingham

Enhanced Chamberlain Award

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

University Music Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

University Music Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 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

University of Birmingham vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Birmingham is about £2,910 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Birmingham is about £2,510 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 University of Birmingham and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 49 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, Physics, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Music, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health & Social Care, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Management and 37 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £28,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £29,000 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Birmingham and 90% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Birmingham or University of Surrey offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 52 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including History, Philosophy, Teacher Training, International Development, Ancient Languages, Education Studies, History of Art & Design, Theology & Religious Studies and 44 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 13 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Nutrition & Dietetics, Biomedical Engineering, Animal Science, Community & Specialist Nursing, Food Science, Games Design & Computer Animation, Veterinary Medicine, Agriculture & Land Management and 5 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses