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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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

Southampton

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Surrey

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Southampton vs University of Surrey at a glance

University of Southampton and University of Surrey both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering and Physics. University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,000 a year at University of Southampton and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Southampton is about £4,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,200 a year at University of Southampton and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £5,300 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 12 and University of Surrey in 12, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £34,000 three years after graduating from University of Southampton, against £40,000 from University of Surrey. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 13 and University of Southampton in 12, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#111
QS World
#246
#129
THE World
#201
#16
Guardian UK
#24
1862
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 Southampton

University of Surrey

87%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£37,200
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

35.1%
20.2%

International

International student share

545
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

52
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.

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

47 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 Southampton

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Chemical Engineering, English Literature, Geology & Earth Sciences, Politics & International Relations, Music, Accounting, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Nursing (General), Children's Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Computing & IT, Health & Social Care, Adult Nursing, Human Geography & Environment, Medicine, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biological Sciences (General), Games Design & Computer Animation, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000
University of Surrey
£30,000

University of Southampton is about £4,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Southampton
£31,200
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Surrey is about £5,300 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 Southampton

University of Surrey

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Physics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    93%Satisfaction81%

  • Chemistry

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    91%Satisfaction95%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    87%Satisfaction91%

  • Computer Science

    £47,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    80%Satisfaction78%

  • Mathematics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    94%Satisfaction91%

  • Economics

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    85%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Management

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%Satisfaction78%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent 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 Southampton vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,000 a year at University of Southampton and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Southampton is about £4,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,200 a year at University of Southampton and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £5,300 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 Southampton and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Physics, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Aerospace Engineering, Economics and 35 more.

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

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £40,500 three years after graduating from University of Southampton, and £41,500 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University of Southampton and 86% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

University of Southampton teaches 44 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Media & Film Studies, Archaeology, History, Ancient Languages, Design & Fashion, Environmental Sciences, Marine Engineering & Technology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering and 36 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 15 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Drama & Theatre, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Animal Science, Biotechnology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Food Science and 7 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses