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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 Chester

Chester · Guardian UK #91

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.

4/9

Chester

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

5/9

Surrey

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Surrey leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Chester is ahead on established, employment, international, courses.

University of Chester vs University of Surrey at a glance

University of Chester and University of Surrey both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and Business & Management (General). University of Chester offers 329 courses across 73 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £14,950 a year at University of Chester and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Chester is about £15,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,500 a year at University of Chester and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Chester is about £10,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 21 and University of Chester in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £23,000 three years after graduating from University of Chester, against £41,500 from University of Surrey. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 19 and University of Chester in 2, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#246
#1501
THE World
#201
#91
Guardian UK
#24
1839
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 Chester

University of Surrey

83.9%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£27,400
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.7%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

28.7%
20.2%

International

International student share

329
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.

Chester

52 countries · 28.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India32.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria11.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka7.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%
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 Chester

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Drama & Theatre, Marketing, Biomedical Sciences, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Animal Science, Chemical Engineering, English Literature, Adult Nursing, Business Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation, Mental Health Nursing, Agriculture & Land Management, Computing & IT, Children's Nursing, Creative Writing, Film Production & Cinematography, Biological Sciences (General), Biotechnology, General Engineering, French, Health & Social Care, Medicine, Midwifery, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Chester

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 Chester
£14,950
University of Surrey
£30,000

University of Chester is about £15,050 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Chester
£15,500
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Chester is about £10,400 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 Chester

University of Surrey

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    83%Satisfaction85%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    79%Satisfaction83%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    86%Satisfaction92%

  • Psychology (General)

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    82%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Chemistry

    No dataSalary (3 years)£30,500
    75%Satisfaction95%

  • Computer Science

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    83%Satisfaction78%

  • Mathematics

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    No dataSatisfaction86%

  • Nutrition & Dietetics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    85%Satisfaction94%

  • Music

    £17,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    73%Satisfaction98%

  • Accounting

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    88%Satisfaction86%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Chester

NHS Learning Support Fund

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Visit Us Travel Bursary

£100

Deadline: N/A

Futures Employability Fund

See details

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 Chester vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £14,950 a year at University of Chester and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Chester is about £15,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,500 a year at University of Chester and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Chester is about £10,400 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 Chester and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 39 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Law, Politics & International Relations, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Nutrition & Dietetics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 27 more.

Is University of Chester or University of Surrey better for Hospitality, Events & Tourism?

Hospitality, Events & Tourism graduates earn a median £19,500 three years after graduating from University of Chester, and £25,000 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at University of Chester and 85% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Chester lists 329 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

University of Chester teaches 34 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Design & Fashion, Archaeology, Software Engineering, Geography (General), Journalism, History, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Learning Disabilities Nursing and 26 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 23 subject areas that University of Chester does not, including Physics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Management, Economics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Aerospace Engineering, Biochemistry and 15 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Chester329 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses