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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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth · QS World #662

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.

5/11

Portsmouth

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

6/11

Surrey

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Portsmouth vs University of Surrey at a glance

University of Portsmouth and University of Surrey both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management and Computer Science. University of Portsmouth offers 446 courses across 84 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,900 a year at University of Portsmouth and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Portsmouth is about £12,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,600 a year at University of Portsmouth and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Portsmouth is about £7,300 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 27 and University of Portsmouth in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £25,500 three years after graduating from University of Portsmouth, against £41,500 from University of Surrey. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Portsmouth is higher in 14 and University of Surrey in 14.

World & National Rankings

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

#662
QS World
#246
#401
THE World
#201
#55
Guardian UK
#24
1869
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 Portsmouth

University of Surrey

86.9%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£32,100
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.4%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.5%
20.2%

International

International student share

446
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.

Portsmouth

96 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India22.1%
  • 🇨🇳China11.6%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.8%
  • 🌐Kuwait7.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.6%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

43 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 Portsmouth

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Mechanical Engineering, Music, Psychology (General), Games Design & Computer Animation, Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Literature, Film Production & Cinematography, Drama & Theatre, Human Resource Management, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Computing & IT, Creative Writing, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Nursing (General), Adult Nursing, Biochemistry, Mental Health Nursing, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biotechnology, Human Geography & Environment, Clinical & Health Psychology, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Geology & Earth Sciences.

Only at University of Portsmouth

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 Portsmouth
£17,900
University of Surrey
£30,000

University of Portsmouth is about £12,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Portsmouth
£18,600
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Portsmouth is about £7,300 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 Portsmouth

University of Surrey

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Management

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    87%Satisfaction78%

  • Computer Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    82%Satisfaction78%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction92%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Physics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    97%Satisfaction87%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    84%Satisfaction81%

  • Accounting

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    93%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    85%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Portsmouth

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Estée Lauder Companies - Whitman Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Language Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

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 Portsmouth vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,900 a year at University of Portsmouth and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Portsmouth is about £12,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,600 a year at University of Portsmouth and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Portsmouth is about £7,300 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 Portsmouth and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Law, Physics, Civil Engineering, Accounting, Business Studies, Economics and 31 more.

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

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from University of Portsmouth, and £41,500 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at University of Portsmouth and 86% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Portsmouth lists 446 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

University of Portsmouth teaches 41 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Building & Construction, Education Studies, Design & Fashion, Social Policy & Public Policy, Teacher Training, Architecture, Ancient Languages, Media & Film Studies and 33 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 19 subject areas that University of Portsmouth does not, including Chemistry, Nutrition & Dietetics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Aerospace Engineering, Animal Science, Biological Sciences (General), Community & Specialist Nursing, Food Science and 11 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Portsmouth446 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses