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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 Sheffield

Sheffield · QS World #82

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

Sheffield

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Surrey

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Sheffield vs University of Surrey at a glance

University of Sheffield and University of Surrey both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Physics, Politics & International Relations and Electronic & Electrical Engineering. University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,830 a year at University of Sheffield and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Sheffield is about £4,170 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,360 a year at University of Sheffield and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £5,460 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 18 and University of Sheffield in 2, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Electronic & Electrical Engineering: £33,500 three years after graduating from University of Sheffield, against £41,500 from University of Surrey. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 10 and University of Surrey in 9, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#82
QS World
#246
#108
THE World
#201
#19
Guardian UK
#24
1905
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 Sheffield

University of Surrey

89.6%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.3%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

28.1%
20.2%

International

International student share

307
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

2
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.

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China45.6%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia7.3%
  • 🇮🇳India7%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.5%
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 Sheffield

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Psychology (General), Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, General Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Biochemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, English Literature, Accounting, Business Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Adult Nursing, Animal Science, Biological Sciences (General), Medicine, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Human Resource Management, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Sheffield

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 Sheffield
£25,830
University of Surrey
£30,000

University of Sheffield is about £4,170 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Sheffield
£31,360
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Surrey is about £5,460 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 Sheffield

University of Surrey

  • Physics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    94%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    89%Satisfaction81%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Computer Science

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    95%Satisfaction78%

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    94%Satisfaction94%

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    96%Satisfaction98%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Sheffield

International Postgraduate Scholarship 2026

£3,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Access to Sheffield Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

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 Sheffield vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,830 a year at University of Sheffield and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Sheffield is about £4,170 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,360 a year at University of Sheffield and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £5,460 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 Sheffield and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Physics, Politics & International Relations, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Business & Management (General), Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Law, Economics, Music, Management and 26 more.

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

Physics graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from University of Sheffield, and £30,500 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at University of Sheffield and 87% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Sheffield lists 307 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 39 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including English Studies, History, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Architecture, Biology, Information Systems & Data Science, Landscape Architecture & Design, Philosophy and 31 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 24 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Drama & Theatre, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Computing & IT, Nursing (General), Biotechnology, Community & Specialist Nursing, Film Production & Cinematography 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 Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses