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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
University of Brighton

Brighton · QS World #901

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

Brighton

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, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Brighton is ahead on established, employment.

University of Brighton vs University of Surrey at a glance

University of Brighton and University of Surrey both teach 41 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Childhood & Youth Studies. University of Brighton offers 255 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,250 a year at University of Brighton and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Brighton is about £12,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,790 a year at University of Brighton and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Brighton is about £7,110 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 24 and University of Brighton in 1. The widest gap is in Economics: £23,500 three years after graduating from University of Brighton, against £40,000 from University of Surrey. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 15 and University of Brighton in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#901
QS World
#246
#601
THE World
#201
#68
Guardian UK
#24
1858
Established
1966
No
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 Brighton

University of Surrey

84.1%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£32,800
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.4%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.3%
20.2%

International

International student share

255
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

22
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.

Brighton

93 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India12.1%
  • 🇨🇳China7.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5%
  • 🇺🇸United States5%
  • 🇪🇬Egypt3.6%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

41 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 Brighton

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Human Geography & Environment, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Aerospace Engineering, English Literature, Mechanical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Film Production & Cinematography, General Engineering, Marketing, Computing & IT, Games Design & Computer Animation, Nursing (General), Biological Sciences (General), Creative Writing, Health & Social Care, Mental Health Nursing, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Resource Management, Midwifery, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Brighton

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 Brighton
£17,250
University of Surrey
£30,000

University of Brighton is about £12,750 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Brighton
£18,790
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Brighton is about £7,110 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 Brighton

University of Surrey

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    80%Satisfaction81%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    81%Satisfaction78%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    No dataSatisfaction78%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    74%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    95%Satisfaction84%

  • Accounting

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    77%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    97%Satisfaction89%

  • Music

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    100%Satisfaction98%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 25 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Brighton

Ruby Lee Progression scholarship

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

University of Brighton outreach progression scholarships

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Royal Town Planning Institute scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Vice-Chancellor Scholarships

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

Widening Access Bursary

£3,000

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

University of Brighton vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,250 a year at University of Brighton and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Brighton is about £12,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,790 a year at University of Brighton and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Brighton is about £7,110 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 Brighton and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 41 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, Business Studies, Management, Business & Management (General), Law, Finance & Actuarial Science, Politics & International Relations, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mathematics and 29 more.

Is University of Brighton or University of Surrey better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from University of Brighton, and £33,500 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at University of Brighton and 81% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Surrey lists 271 courses on CourseOptions and University of Brighton lists 255 courses.

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

University of Brighton teaches 30 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Architecture, Pharmacy, Applied Psychology, Biology, Counselling & Psychotherapy and 22 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 21 subject areas that University of Brighton does not, including Physics, Chemistry, Drama & Theatre, Nutrition & Dietetics, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Animal Science and 13 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Brighton255 courses · 22 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses