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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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.

4/11

Plymouth

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Surrey

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Plymouth vs University of Surrey at a glance

University of Plymouth and University of Surrey both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General) and Civil Engineering. University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,200 a year at University of Plymouth and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Plymouth is about £10,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at University of Plymouth and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Plymouth is about £6,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 26 and University of Plymouth in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £24,500 three years after graduating from University of Plymouth, against £40,000 from University of Surrey. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 13 and University of Plymouth in 8, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#691
QS World
#246
#501
THE World
#201
#56
Guardian UK
#24
1862
Established
1966
No
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 Plymouth

University of Surrey

86.6%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£30,300
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.2%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

11.9%
20.2%

International

International student share

310
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
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.

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

45 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 Plymouth

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Music, Adult Nursing, Drama & Theatre, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Film Production & Cinematography, Human Geography & Environment, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Chemical Engineering, Children's Nursing, Games Design & Computer Animation, Marketing, Midwifery, Nursing (General), Agriculture & Land Management, Biological Sciences (General), Biomedical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Writing, General Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Human Resource Management, Technology & Logistics, Medicine.

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200
University of Surrey
£30,000

University of Plymouth is about £10,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Plymouth
£19,500
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Plymouth is about £6,400 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 Plymouth

University of Surrey

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    91%Satisfaction86%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    94%Satisfaction81%

  • Chemistry

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    97%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    84%Satisfaction94%

  • Management

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    No dataSatisfaction78%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    72%Satisfaction78%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Nutrition & Dietetics

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    96%Satisfaction94%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    83%Satisfaction85%

Showing the 12 largest of 26 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

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 Plymouth vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,200 a year at University of Plymouth and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Plymouth is about £10,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at University of Plymouth and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Plymouth is about £6,400 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 Plymouth and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Law, Management, Psychology (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Nutrition & Dietetics and 33 more.

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

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £32,000 three years after graduating from University of Plymouth, and £41,500 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at University of Plymouth and 86% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Plymouth lists 310 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 33 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Design & Fashion, Ecology & Conservation, Physical Geography & Climate, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Dentistry, Marine Engineering & Technology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, English Studies and 25 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 17 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Physics, English Literature, Computing & IT, Aerospace Engineering, Biochemistry, Animal Science, Biotechnology, Community & Specialist Nursing and 9 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses