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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 Exeter

Devon · QS World #136

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.

9/12

Exeter

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

3/12

Surrey

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Exeter leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Surrey is ahead on satisfaction, employment, scholarship.

University of Exeter vs University of Surrey at a glance

University of Exeter and University of Surrey both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Mathematics and Physics. University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Exeter is about £5,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Exeter is about £350 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Exeter is higher in 11 and University of Surrey in 10, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £43,500 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, against £32,500 from University of Surrey. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 11 and University of Exeter in 9, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#136
QS World
#246
#170
THE World
#201
#14
Guardian UK
#24
1922
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 Exeter

University of Surrey

87.7%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£39,800
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.8%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.2%
20.2%

International

International student share

873
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

2
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.

Exeter

111 countries · 22.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China25.1%
  • 🇮🇳India10.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong10%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States2.8%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

43 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 Exeter

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Management, Human Geography & Environment, Geology & Earth Sciences, Accounting, Business Studies, Drama & Theatre, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Childhood & Youth Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Nutrition & Dietetics, Marketing, Nursing (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biological Sciences (General), Biomedical Engineering, Computing & IT, Creative Writing, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Animal Science, Clinical & Health Psychology, French, Medicine, Minerals & Mining Technology, Adult Nursing.

Only at University of Exeter

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 Exeter
£24,950
University of Surrey
£30,000

University of Exeter is about £5,050 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Exeter
£25,550
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Exeter is about £350 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 Exeter

University of Surrey

  • Politics & International Relations

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Physics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £39,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    83%Satisfaction81%

  • Computer Science

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    83%Satisfaction78%

  • Economics

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    91%Satisfaction92%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction87%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Exeter

Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

Carolyn and Andrew Trevorrow Memorial Fund Travel Bursaries

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 Exeter vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Exeter is about £5,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Exeter is about £350 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 Exeter and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Physics, Business & Management (General), Law, Finance & Actuarial Science, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 31 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, and £29,000 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Exeter and 90% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Exeter lists 873 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

University of Exeter teaches 48 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including History, Classical Studies, English Studies, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Media & Film Studies, Theology & Religious Studies, Ancient Languages and 40 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 19 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Chemistry, Music, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, English Literature, Aerospace Engineering, Biotechnology, Community & Specialist Nursing, Food Science and 11 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Exeter873 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses