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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 Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

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.

7/11

Leeds

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

4/11

Surrey

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Leeds vs University of Surrey at a glance

University of Leeds and University of Surrey both teach 50 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Physics and Chemistry. University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,700 a year at University of Leeds and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £3,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,500 a year at University of Leeds and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £5,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 22 and University of Leeds in 6, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Electronic & Electrical Engineering: £31,000 three years after graduating from University of Leeds, against £41,500 from University of Surrey. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 22 and University of Leeds in 9.

World & National Rankings

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

#77
QS World
#246
#118
THE World
#201
#15
Guardian UK
#24
1904
Established
1966
Yes
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 Leeds

University of Surrey

85.7%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£37,200
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.7%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.5%
20.2%

International

International student share

579
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

13
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.

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

50 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 Leeds

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Nutrition & Dietetics, Finance & Actuarial Science, English Literature, Psychology (General), Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Aerospace Engineering, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Biomedical Sciences, Food Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Human Resource Management, Film Production & Cinematography, General Engineering, Health & Social Care, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Medicine, Polymer & Textiles Technology, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Creative Writing, French, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery.

Only at University of Leeds

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 Leeds
£33,700
University of Surrey
£30,000

University of Surrey is about £3,700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Leeds
£31,500
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Surrey is about £5,600 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 Leeds

University of Surrey

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    89%Satisfaction81%

  • Physics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemistry

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    85%Satisfaction95%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    79%Satisfaction78%

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    85%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Management

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction78%

  • Music

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%Satisfaction98%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    82%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 32 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

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 Leeds vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,700 a year at University of Leeds and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £3,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,500 a year at University of Leeds and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £5,600 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 Leeds and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 50 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Law, Management, Music, Business Studies and 38 more.

Is University of Leeds or University of Surrey better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from University of Leeds, and £33,500 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University of Leeds and 81% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Leeds lists 579 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

University of Leeds teaches 60 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Design & Fashion, History, Media & Film Studies, Philosophy, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Education Studies, Personal & Professional Development, Ancient Languages and 52 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 12 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Accounting, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Computing & IT, Nursing (General), Animal Science, Community & Specialist Nursing, Games Design & Computer Animation and 4 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Leeds579 courses · 13 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses