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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 Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

U
University of Surrey

Guildford · QS World #246

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

10/12

Cambridge

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

2/12

Surrey

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge leads in 10 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Surrey is ahead on employment, scholarship.

University of Cambridge vs University of Surrey at a glance

University of Cambridge and University of Surrey both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being Physics, Biological Sciences (General) and Mathematics. University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £2,890 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £15,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 9 and University of Surrey in 0. The widest gap is in Law: £49,000 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, against £27,000 from University of Surrey. Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 6 and University of Surrey in 3.

World & National Rankings

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

#6
QS World
#246
#3
THE World
#201
#2
Guardian UK
#24
1209
Established
1966
Yes
Russell Group
No
Gold
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 Cambridge

University of Surrey

92.1%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£49,800
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

76.6%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.2%
20.2%

International

International student share

336
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.

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

39 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 Cambridge

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Childhood & Youth Studies, General Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Music, Psychology (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Chemical Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Veterinary Medicine, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Computing & IT, Aerospace Engineering, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Business Studies, Creative Writing, Animal Science, Medicine, Clinical & Health Psychology, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Health & Social Care, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Cambridge

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 Cambridge
£32,890
University of Surrey
£30,000

University of Surrey is about £2,890 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Cambridge
£41,300
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Surrey is about £15,400 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 Cambridge

University of Surrey

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    91%Satisfaction95%

  • Mathematics

    £44,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £59,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £49,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    96%Satisfaction94%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    No dataSatisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £63,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    94%Satisfaction78%

  • Music

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    97%Satisfaction98%

  • Psychology (General)

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £43,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Veterinary Medicine

    £36,000Salary (3 years)No data
    98%Satisfaction96%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Cambridge

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 Cambridge vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £2,890 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £15,400 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 Cambridge and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 39 subject areas: Physics, Biological Sciences (General), Mathematics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, Chemistry, Economics, Law, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Civil Engineering and 27 more.

Is University of Cambridge or University of Surrey better for Biological Sciences (General)?

Biological Sciences (General) graduates earn a median £35,000 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, and £27,500 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at University of Cambridge and 95% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Cambridge lists 336 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

University of Cambridge teaches 40 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including History, Asian Languages & Studies, Archaeology, Architecture, Clinical Specialities, Philosophy, Biology, Genetics & Genomics and 32 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 23 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Drama & Theatre, Nutrition & Dietetics, Accounting, English Literature, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nursing (General), Community & Specialist Nursing and 15 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses