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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 St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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.

9/10

St Andrews

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

1/10

Surrey

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

University of St Andrews leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Surrey is ahead on employment.

University of St Andrews vs University of Surrey at a glance

University of St Andrews and University of Surrey both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being French, Economics and Politics & International Relations. University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,160 a year at University of St Andrews and £30,000 at University of Surrey, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,200 a year at University of St Andrews and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £1,300 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 7 and University of Surrey in 7. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £51,500 three years after graduating from University of St Andrews, against £41,500 from University of Surrey. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 9 and University of Surrey in 3.

World & National Rankings

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

#115
QS World
#246
#162
THE World
#201
#3
Guardian UK
#24
1413
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 St Andrews

University of Surrey

93.2%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£40,000
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.1%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

46.1%
20.2%

International

International student share

1157
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

62
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.

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
  • 🇨🇳China9%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4%
  • 🇮🇳India4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

30 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 St Andrews

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Geology & Earth Sciences, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Childhood & Youth Studies, Computing & IT, Human Geography & Environment, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Business Studies, Creative Writing, Agriculture & Land Management, Animal Science, Marketing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology.

Only at University of St Andrews

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 St Andrews
£30,160
University of Surrey
£30,000

About the same.

Postgraduate

University of St Andrews
£27,200
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Surrey is about £1,300 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 St Andrews

University of Surrey

  • French

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    95%Satisfaction100%

  • Economics

    £39,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    95%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £36,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • Chemistry

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Management

    £37,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    No dataSatisfaction78%

  • Computer Science

    £51,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    93%Satisfaction78%

  • Physics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    98%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £37,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    No dataSatisfaction92%

  • Biochemistry

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of St Andrews

Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Masters funding in Digital Health and Care

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship

100%

Deadline: May 2026

University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships

100%

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 St Andrews vs University of Surrey: common questions

Is University of St Andrews or University of Surrey cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,160 a year at University of St Andrews and £30,000 at University of Surrey, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,200 a year at University of St Andrews and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Surrey is about £1,300 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 St Andrews and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 30 subject areas: French, Economics, Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Chemistry, Management, Computer Science, Physics, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Law and 18 more.

Is University of St Andrews or University of Surrey better for French?

French graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from University of St Andrews, and £33,000 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at University of St Andrews and 100% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of St Andrews or University of Surrey offer more courses?

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at University of Surrey?

University of St Andrews teaches 34 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, Italian, History, Ancient Languages, Classical Studies, History of Art & Design, English Studies and 26 more.

What can you study at University of Surrey but not at University of St Andrews?

University of Surrey teaches 32 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Music, Drama & Theatre, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Accounting, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 24 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of St Andrews1,157 courses · 62 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses