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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 Reading

Reading · QS World #196

U
University of Surrey

Guildford · QS World #246

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/9

Reading

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

5/9

Surrey

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Surrey leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Reading is ahead on ranking, established, employment, courses.

University of Reading vs University of Surrey at a glance

University of Reading and University of Surrey both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science and Business & Management (General). University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,850 a year at University of Reading and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Reading is about £4,150 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,450 a year at University of Reading and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £550 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 15 and University of Reading in 6, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £32,500 three years after graduating from University of Reading, against £40,000 from University of Surrey. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 13 and University of Reading in 7, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#196
QS World
#246
#201
THE World
#201
#33
Guardian UK
#24
1892
Established
1966
No
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 Reading

University of Surrey

85.1%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£35,800
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.7%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18%
20.2%

International

International student share

448
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.

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

  • 🇨🇳China26%
  • 🇮🇳India6.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.2%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.9%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

38 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 Reading

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Agriculture & Land Management, Business Studies, Accounting, Computer Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biomedical Sciences, Food Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, Drama & Theatre, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences (General), Human Geography & Environment, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Animal Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Creative Writing, Film Production & Cinematography, Human Resource Management, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Clinical & Health Psychology.

Only at University of Reading

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 Reading
£25,850
University of Surrey
£30,000

University of Reading is about £4,150 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Reading
£26,450
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Surrey is about £550 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 Reading

University of Surrey

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    82%Satisfaction89%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    77%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    77%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Management

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    81%Satisfaction78%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Civil Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    98%Satisfaction81%

  • English Literature

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    91%Satisfaction92%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    96%Satisfaction92%

  • Nutrition & Dietetics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    94%Satisfaction94%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence 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 Reading vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,850 a year at University of Reading and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Reading is about £4,150 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,450 a year at University of Reading and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £550 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 Reading and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General), Chemistry, Law, Mathematics, Management, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Literature and 26 more.

Is University of Reading or University of Surrey better for Economics?

Economics graduates earn a median £32,500 three years after graduating from University of Reading, and £40,000 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at University of Reading and 89% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

University of Reading teaches 32 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Building & Construction, History, Philosophy, Design & Fashion, Information & Library Studies, Ancient Languages, Archaeology, Teacher Training and 24 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 24 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Physics, Music, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Chemical Engineering, Computing & IT, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nursing (General) and 16 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses
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University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses