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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 Oxford

Oxford · QS World #4

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.

10/12

Oxford

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

2/12

Surrey

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Oxford leads in 10 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Surrey is ahead on employment, scholarship.

University of Oxford vs University of Surrey at a glance

University of Oxford and University of Surrey both teach 34 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Physics and Law. University of Oxford offers 642 courses across 79 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £43,600 a year at University of Oxford and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £13,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £38,430 a year at University of Oxford and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £12,530 a year cheaper.

Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Oxford is higher in 10 and University of Surrey in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Law: £52,500 three years after graduating from University of Oxford, against £27,000 from University of Surrey. Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Oxford is higher in 5 and University of Surrey in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

#4
QS World
#246
#1
THE World
#201
#1
Guardian UK
#24
1096
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 Oxford

University of Surrey

92.5%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£50,000
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

76.6%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

37.2%
20.2%

International

International student share

642
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
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.

Oxford

118 countries · 37.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China18.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States16.8%
  • 🇩🇪Germany5.6%
  • 🇮🇳India5.2%
  • 🇨🇦Canada4.6%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

34 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 Oxford

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Management, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, English Literature, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computing & IT, Business Studies, Chemical Engineering, Health & Social Care, Human Geography & Environment, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Medicine, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Clinical & Health Psychology.

Only at University of Oxford

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 Oxford
£43,600
University of Surrey
£30,000

University of Surrey is about £13,600 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Oxford
£38,430
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Surrey is about £12,530 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 Oxford

University of Surrey

  • Physics

    £43,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £52,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    No dataSatisfaction94%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • French

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    96%Satisfaction100%

  • Chemistry

    £43,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    85%Satisfaction95%

  • Economics

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £51,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    92%Satisfaction78%

  • Mathematics

    £43,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    91%Satisfaction86%

  • Music

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    91%Satisfaction98%

  • Psychology (General)

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Biochemistry

    £39,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    85%Satisfaction86%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Oxford

The Rhodes Scholarship

100%

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 Oxford vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £43,600 a year at University of Oxford and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £13,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £38,430 a year at University of Oxford and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £12,530 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 Oxford and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 34 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Physics, Law, Politics & International Relations, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, French, Chemistry, Economics, Computer Science, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mathematics and 22 more.

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

Physics graduates earn a median £43,000 three years after graduating from University of Oxford, and £30,500 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at University of Oxford and 87% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Oxford lists 642 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

University of Oxford teaches 45 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Classical Studies, History, Spanish & Portuguese, Eastern European Languages, English Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, Italian, Ancient Languages and 37 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 28 subject areas that University of Oxford does not, including Drama & Theatre, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Accounting, Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nursing (General) and 20 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Oxford642 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses
U
University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses