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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 Cumbria

Lancaster · Guardian UK #101

U
University of Surrey

Guildford · QS World #246

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/8

Cumbria

scored higher in 1 category

VS

7/8

Surrey

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Surrey leads in 7 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Cumbria is ahead on employment.

University of Cumbria vs University of Surrey at a glance

University of Cumbria and University of Surrey both teach 23 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Business & Management (General) and Management. University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at University of Cumbria and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Cumbria is about £14,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Cumbria and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Cumbria is about £9,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 13 and University of Cumbria in 1. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Cumbria, against £30,500 from University of Surrey. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 8 and University of Cumbria in 3, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#246
—
THE World
#201
#101
Guardian UK
#24
2007
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 Cumbria

University of Surrey

80.5%
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

89.4%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

2.6%
20.2%

International

International student share

136
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
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.

Cumbria

14 countries · 2.6% international

  • 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
  • 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

23 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 Cumbria

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Nursing (General), Biomedical Engineering, Adult Nursing, Games Design & Computer Animation, Health & Social Care, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Children's Nursing.

Only at University of Cumbria

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 Cumbria
£16,000
University of Surrey
£30,000

University of Cumbria is about £14,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Cumbria
£16,900
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Cumbria is about £9,000 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 Cumbria

University of Surrey

  • Business & Management (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Management

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    76%Satisfaction78%

  • Law

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    84%Satisfaction96%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    98%Satisfaction84%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    82%Satisfaction85%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    77%Satisfaction99%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    70%Satisfaction92%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    100%Satisfaction94%

  • Adult Nursing

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    74%Satisfaction92%

  • Mental Health Nursing

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    74%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Cumbria

Future Talent Award

£8,000

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 Cumbria vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at University of Cumbria and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Cumbria is about £14,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Cumbria and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Cumbria is about £9,000 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 Cumbria and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 23 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Business & Management (General), Management, Law, Psychology (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Computer Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Film Production & Cinematography, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies and 11 more.

Is University of Cumbria or University of Surrey better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Cumbria, and £30,500 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at University of Cumbria and 83% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Surrey lists 271 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.

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

University of Cumbria teaches 17 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Design & Fashion, Forestry & Arboriculture, Ecology & Conservation, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Zoology & Animal Biology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Education Studies, Environmental Sciences and 9 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 39 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Physics, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Economics, Politics & International Relations, Music and 31 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Cumbria136 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses
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University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses