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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 South Wales

Pontypridd · QS World #1201

U
University of Surrey

Guildford · QS World #246

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/10

South Wales

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

6/10

Surrey

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Surrey leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, graduate salary, scholarship). University of South Wales is ahead on established, employment, international, courses.

University of South Wales vs University of Surrey at a glance

University of South Wales and University of Surrey both teach 34 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Psychology (General) and Law. University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,200 a year at University of South Wales and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of South Wales is about £13,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,900 a year at University of South Wales and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of South Wales is about £8,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 21 and University of South Wales in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £19,500 three years after graduating from University of South Wales, against £41,500 from University of Surrey. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of South Wales is higher in 12 and University of Surrey in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

#1201
QS World
#246
#1201
THE World
#201
#83
Guardian UK
#24
1913
Established
1966
No
Russell Group
No
—
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 South Wales

University of Surrey

86.7%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£27,400
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.6%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22%
20.2%

International

International student share

331
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

23
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.

South Wales

71 countries · 22% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%
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 South Wales

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Childhood & Youth Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Business Studies, Community & Specialist Nursing, Biomedical Sciences, Games Design & Computer Animation, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Health & Social Care, Animal Science, General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Human Resource Management, Midwifery.

Only at University of South Wales

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 South Wales
£16,200
University of Surrey
£30,000

University of South Wales is about £13,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of South Wales
£17,900
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of South Wales is about £8,000 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 South Wales

University of Surrey

  • Business & Management (General)

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    96%Satisfaction94%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • Civil Engineering

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    83%Satisfaction81%

  • Chemistry

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    84%Satisfaction95%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Management

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction78%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    97%Satisfaction84%

  • Music

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    71%Satisfaction98%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction96%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £18,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%Satisfaction99%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of South Wales

USW Postgraduate Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027/2028

100%

Deadline: Jul 2027

USW Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 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 South Wales vs University of Surrey: common questions

Is University of South Wales or University of Surrey cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,200 a year at University of South Wales and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of South Wales is about £13,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,900 a year at University of South Wales and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of South Wales is about £8,000 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 South Wales and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 34 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Law, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Aerospace Engineering, Management, Nursing (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Music, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 22 more.

Is University of South Wales or University of Surrey better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £19,000 three years after graduating from University of South Wales, and £30,500 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at University of South Wales and 83% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of South Wales or University of Surrey offer more courses?

University of South Wales lists 331 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

What can you study at University of South Wales but not at University of Surrey?

University of South Wales teaches 29 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Healthcare Science, Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Teacher Training, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Software Engineering, Forensic Science, Media & Film Studies and 21 more.

What can you study at University of Surrey but not at University of South Wales?

University of Surrey teaches 28 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Physics, Mathematics, Economics, Nutrition & Dietetics, English Literature, Chemical Engineering, Computing & IT, Biochemistry and 20 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of South Wales331 courses · 23 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses