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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 Bristol

Bristol · QS World #57

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.

9/11

Bristol

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

Surrey

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Bristol leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Surrey is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

University of Bristol vs University of Surrey at a glance

University of Bristol and University of Surrey both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Physics, Mathematics and Management. University of Bristol offers 479 courses across 83 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £1,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £2,560 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bristol is higher in 15 and University of Surrey in 3, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Management: £44,000 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, against £30,500 from University of Surrey. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 12 and University of Bristol in 9, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#57
QS World
#246
#80
THE World
#201
#13
Guardian UK
#24
1876
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 Bristol

University of Surrey

88%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£43,100
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

77.4%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.6%
20.2%

International

International student share

479
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

54
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.

Bristol

104 countries · 33.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.5%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.8%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

40 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 Bristol

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Accounting, Sociology & Criminology, Biochemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Aerospace Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Business Studies, Computing & IT, Animal Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, French, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Creative Writing, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management.

Only at University of Bristol

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 Bristol
£31,300
University of Surrey
£30,000

University of Surrey is about £1,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Bristol
£28,460
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Surrey is about £2,560 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 Bristol

University of Surrey

  • Physics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Management

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    84%Satisfaction78%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    81%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Chemistry

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £48,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    93%Satisfaction78%

  • Civil Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    92%Satisfaction81%

  • Music

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    99%Satisfaction98%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Bristol

Black Heritage PhD Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Black heritage PhD scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships for applicants of Black heritage

100%

Deadline: N/A

British Council scholarships for Women

100%

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 Bristol vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £1,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £2,560 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 Bristol and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Physics, Mathematics, Management, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Law, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Business & Management (General), Music and 28 more.

Is University of Bristol or University of Surrey better for Physics?

Physics graduates earn a median £34,500 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, and £30,500 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University of Bristol and 87% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Bristol lists 479 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

University of Bristol teaches 43 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Anatomy & Pathology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Dentistry, History, Ancient Languages, English Studies, Philosophy, Education Studies and 35 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 22 subject areas that University of Bristol does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, English Literature, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Nursing (General), Biological Sciences (General), Biotechnology and 14 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Bristol479 courses · 54 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses