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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 Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

U
University of Surrey

Guildford · QS World #246

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/10

Essex

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Surrey

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Surrey leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Essex is ahead on established, international, courses.

University of Essex vs University of Surrey at a glance

University of Essex and University of Surrey both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Economics and Law. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Essex is about £8,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Essex is about £2,020 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 18 and University of Essex in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £30,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £40,000 from University of Surrey. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 14 and University of Essex in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#246
#301
THE World
#201
#44
Guardian UK
#24
1964
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 Essex

University of Surrey

87.2%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
20.2%

International

International student share

748
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
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.

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India21.2%
  • 🇨🇳China11.7%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.1%
  • 🇫🇷France5.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.4%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

38 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 Essex

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Biotechnology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Childhood & Youth Studies, Creative Writing, Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Human Geography & Environment, Nursing (General), Adult Nursing, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Essex

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 Essex
£21,500
University of Surrey
£30,000

University of Essex is about £8,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Essex is about £2,020 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 Essex

University of Surrey

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    84%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    81%Satisfaction78%

  • Mathematics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    95%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £16,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    95%Satisfaction83%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction96%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£41,500
    75%Satisfaction86%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Management

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction78%

  • Accounting

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    78%Satisfaction86%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Essex

Access Essex Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Sustainable Transitions - Governance, Ecological Management and Society - Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Sustainable Transitions - Governance, Ecological Management and Society - Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme 2026-27 (Masters plus PhD)

100%

Deadline: N/A

The Essex MBA Dean's Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Research EU Scholarship

£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 Essex vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Essex is about £8,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Essex is about £2,020 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 Essex and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Economics, Law, Computer Science, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Drama & Theatre, Finance & Actuarial Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Psychology (General), Management and 26 more.

Is University of Essex or University of Surrey better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £29,000 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 90% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 36 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including History, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Journalism, Linguistics, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Social Sciences (General) and 28 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 24 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Physics, Chemistry, Music, Nutrition & Dietetics, Chemical Engineering, Computing & IT, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and 16 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses