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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 Derby

Derby · QS World #1201

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.

4/11

Derby

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Surrey

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Surrey leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Derby is ahead on TEF, established, employment, courses.

University of Derby vs University of Surrey at a glance

University of Derby and University of Surrey both teach 41 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology and Civil Engineering. University of Derby offers 375 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Derby and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Derby is about £13,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Derby and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Derby is about £8,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 22 and University of Derby in 1. The widest gap is in Games Design & Computer Animation: £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Derby, against £41,500 from University of Surrey. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 11 and University of Derby in 9, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1201
QS World
#246
#601
THE World
#201
#80
Guardian UK
#24
1851
Established
1966
No
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 Derby

University of Surrey

88.5%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£27,700
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

85.4%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.3%
20.2%

International

International student share

375
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

6
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.

Derby

64 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria34.5%
  • 🇮🇳India15.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.1%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana6.5%
  • 🇰🇪Kenya5.5%
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 Derby

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Mathematics, Music, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computer Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Business Studies, Drama & Theatre, Games Design & Computer Animation, Health & Social Care, Adult Nursing, Biomedical Sciences, Creative Writing, Mental Health Nursing, Computing & IT, Film Production & Cinematography, Mechanical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Technology & Logistics, Children's Nursing, General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Human Resource Management, Nursing (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Clinical & Health Psychology, Midwifery.

Only at University of Derby

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 Derby
£16,900
University of Surrey
£30,000

University of Derby is about £13,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Derby
£17,500
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Derby is about £8,400 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 Derby

University of Surrey

  • Business & Management (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    93%Satisfaction83%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    85%Satisfaction92%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    92%Satisfaction81%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    85%Satisfaction85%

  • Psychology (General)

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    98%Satisfaction86%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction96%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Accounting

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Music

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    99%Satisfaction98%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Derby

Biomedical Science Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Golding Awards

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sarah Essam Football Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sitwell Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme

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 Derby vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Derby and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Derby is about £13,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Derby and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Derby is about £8,400 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 Derby and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 41 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Civil Engineering, Physics, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Psychology (General), Economics, Law, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Management and 29 more.

Is University of Derby 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 Derby, and £30,500 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at University of Derby and 83% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Derby lists 375 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

University of Derby teaches 33 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Design & Fashion, English Studies, Media & Film Studies, Education Studies, History, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Journalism, Architecture and 25 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 21 subject areas that University of Derby does not, including Chemistry, Nutrition & Dietetics, English Literature, Chemical Engineering, Aerospace 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 Derby375 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses