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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 Nottingham

Nottingham · QS World #97

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.

8/11

Nottingham

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Surrey

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Nottingham leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Surrey is ahead on satisfaction, employment, scholarship.

University of Nottingham vs University of Surrey at a glance

University of Nottingham and University of Surrey both teach 50 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Physics and Computer Science. University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,000 a year at University of Nottingham and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £3,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,800 a year at University of Nottingham and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £4,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 13 and University of Nottingham in 6, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Sociology & Criminology: £32,500 three years after graduating from University of Nottingham, against £25,000 from University of Surrey. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 14 and University of Nottingham in 6, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#97
QS World
#246
#145
THE World
#201
#21
Guardian UK
#24
1881
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 Nottingham

University of Surrey

86.6%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£40,400
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

21.1%
20.2%

International

International student share

580
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
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.

Nottingham

98 countries · 21.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China42.6%
  • 🇮🇳India9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%
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 Nottingham

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Law, Biomedical Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Music, Nutrition & Dietetics, Sociology & Criminology, Biotechnology, Human Geography & Environment, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Aerospace Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Health & Social Care, Veterinary Medicine, Biochemistry, Food Science, Accounting, Business Studies, English Literature, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Animal Science, Biomedical Engineering, Creative Writing, General Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Film Production & Cinematography, Marketing, Medicine, Midwifery, Adult Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology, French, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Resource Management, Polymer & Textiles Technology, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Nottingham

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 Nottingham
£33,000
University of Surrey
£30,000

University of Surrey is about £3,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Nottingham
£30,800
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Surrey is about £4,900 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 Nottingham

University of Surrey

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Physics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    79%Satisfaction78%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    92%Satisfaction81%

  • Chemistry

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%Satisfaction95%

  • Economics

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

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

  • Chemical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Management

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    78%Satisfaction78%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    89%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Nottingham

Taiwan Research Hub PhD Scholarship 2026/27

£11,000

Deadline: N/A

Molson Coors Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

The Witty Entrepreneurial Scholarship

£750

Deadline: N/A

Hillsborough Trust Memorial Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

PhD Scholarships

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 Nottingham vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,000 a year at University of Nottingham and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £3,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,800 a year at University of Nottingham and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £4,900 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 Nottingham and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 50 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Economics, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Chemical Engineering, Management, Psychology (General) and 38 more.

Is University of Nottingham or University of Surrey better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £35,500 three years after graduating from University of Nottingham, and £41,500 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Nottingham and 86% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Nottingham lists 580 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

University of Nottingham teaches 48 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Philosophy, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Architecture, Linguistics, Clinical Specialities, History, Public Health & Epidemiology and 40 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 12 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including Drama & Theatre, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Computing & IT, Nursing (General), Biological Sciences (General), Community & Specialist Nursing, Games Design & Computer Animation, Agriculture & Land Management 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 Nottingham580 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses