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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 Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

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.

6/11

Manchester

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

5/11

Surrey

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, courses). University of Surrey is ahead on ranking, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, scholarship.

University of Manchester vs University of Surrey at a glance

University of Manchester and University of Surrey both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Physics, Politics & International Relations and Chemistry. University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £2,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £900 a year cheaper.

Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 23 and University of Manchester in 4, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Electronic & Electrical Engineering: £33,500 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, against £41,500 from University of Surrey. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 19 and University of Manchester in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#40
QS World
#246
#56
THE World
#201
#29
Guardian UK
#24
1824
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 Manchester

University of Surrey

85.1%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£36,500
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

40%
20.2%

International

International student share

1041
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.

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

  • 🇨🇳China51%
  • 🇮🇳India7.6%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia4.9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

51 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 Manchester

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, English Literature, Geology & Earth Sciences, Music, Finance & Actuarial Science, French, Psychology (General), Computer Science, Business Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Drama & Theatre, Accounting, Biological Sciences (General), Biotechnology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology, Nutrition & Dietetics, Polymer & Textiles Technology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Computing & IT, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Creative Writing, Midwifery, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Marketing, Mental Health Nursing, Astronomy & Astrophysics, General Engineering, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing.

Only at University of Manchester

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 Manchester
£32,300
University of Surrey
£30,000

University of Surrey is about £2,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Manchester
£26,800
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Surrey is about £900 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 Manchester

University of Surrey

  • Physics

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    87%Satisfaction95%

  • Management

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    84%Satisfaction78%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

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

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    77%Satisfaction81%

  • Economics

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

  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    81%Satisfaction85%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Biochemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    84%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 31 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Manchester

Spärck AI Scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

The Sadler Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

The Bason Family Bursary

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

The Cowrie Foundation Scholarships

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Accommodation Bursary

£2,050

Deadline: Jul 2026

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 Manchester vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £2,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £900 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 Manchester and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Physics, Politics & International Relations, Chemistry, Management, Chemical Engineering, Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Economics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biochemistry, Sociology & Criminology and 39 more.

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

Physics graduates earn a median £34,000 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, and £30,500 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University of Manchester and 87% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

University of Manchester teaches 65 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Dentistry, Materials Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, History, Statistics, Anatomy & Pathology, Biology, Clinical Specialities and 57 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 11 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Animal Science, Community & Specialist Nursing, Film Production & Cinematography, Food Science, Games Design & Computer Animation, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Veterinary Medicine and 3 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses