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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 Kent

Canterbury · QS World #415

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.

2/10

Kent

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Surrey

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Surrey leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Kent is ahead on established, courses.

University of Kent vs University of Surrey at a glance

University of Kent and University of Surrey both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Physics, Politics & International Relations and Computer Science. University of Kent offers 335 courses across 63 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,500 a year at University of Kent and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Kent is about £6,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,700 a year at University of Kent and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Kent is about £5,200 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 14 and University of Kent in 1, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £32,500 three years after graduating from University of Kent, against £40,000 from University of Surrey. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 13 and University of Kent in 5, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#415
QS World
#246
#401
THE World
#201
#47
Guardian UK
#24
1965
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 Kent

University of Surrey

84%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£33,600
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
20.2%

International

International student share

335
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Kent

85 countries · 16% international

  • 🇮🇳India9.9%
  • 🇨🇳China6.8%
  • 🇹🇭Thailand6.6%
  • 🇫🇷France5.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.3%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

37 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 Kent

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Sport & Exercise Sciences, Drama & Theatre, Biochemistry, English Literature, Marketing, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Film Production & Cinematography, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Creative Writing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mechanical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Animal Science, Biotechnology, Clinical & Health Psychology, General Engineering, French, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Kent

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 Kent
£23,500
University of Surrey
£30,000

University of Kent is about £6,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Kent
£20,700
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Kent is about £5,200 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 Kent

University of Surrey

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    79%Satisfaction78%

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    85%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Chemistry

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    87%Satisfaction95%

  • Mathematics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • Management

    No dataSalary (3 years)£30,500
    78%Satisfaction78%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    83%Satisfaction92%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    77%Satisfaction87%

  • Business & Management (General)

    No dataSalary (3 years)£30,500
    77%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Kent

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 Kent vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,500 a year at University of Kent and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Kent is about £6,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,700 a year at University of Kent and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Kent is about £5,200 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 Kent and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Physics, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Mathematics, Law, Management, Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General) and 25 more.

Is University of Kent or University of Surrey better for Physics?

Physics graduates earn a median £28,000 three years after graduating from University of Kent, and £30,500 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at University of Kent and 87% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Kent lists 335 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

University of Kent teaches 26 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Biology, Applied Psychology, Architecture, Ecology & Conservation, History, Forensic Science, Pharmacy, Social Sciences (General) and 18 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 25 subject areas that University of Kent does not, including Civil Engineering, Music, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Computing & IT, Aerospace Engineering and 17 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Kent335 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses