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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 Sunderland

Sunderland · Guardian UK #86

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.

3/9

Sunderland

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

6/9

Surrey

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Surrey leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sunderland is ahead on established, satisfaction, international.

University of Sunderland vs University of Surrey at a glance

University of Sunderland and University of Surrey both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Law, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Hospitality, Events & Tourism. University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas; University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Sunderland and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Sunderland is about £12,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,000 a year at University of Sunderland and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Sunderland is about £8,900 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 Sunderland in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £18,500 three years after graduating from University of Sunderland, against £40,000 from University of Surrey. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sunderland is higher in 9 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.

—
QS World
#246
#1501
THE World
#201
#86
Guardian UK
#24
1901
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 Sunderland

University of Surrey

89.8%
88.7%

Satisfaction

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

£24,500
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

36.5%
20.2%

International

International student share

193
271

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Sunderland

56 countries · 36.5% international

  • 🌐Nepal29.5%
  • 🇮🇳India17.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
  • 🇨🇳China7.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%
VS

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

Subjects

37 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 Sunderland

University of Surrey

Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Biochemistry, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Nursing (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Health & Social Care, Games Design & Computer Animation, Human Resource Management, Agriculture & Land Management, Clinical & Health Psychology, General Engineering, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Medicine, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery.

Only at University of Sunderland

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 Sunderland
£17,500
University of Surrey
£30,000

University of Sunderland is about £12,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Sunderland
£17,000
University of Surrey
£25,900

University of Sunderland is about £8,900 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 Sunderland

University of Surrey

  • Law

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    76%Satisfaction86%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    93%Satisfaction85%

  • Chemistry

    No dataSalary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Computer Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    78%Satisfaction78%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    92%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Music

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    100%Satisfaction98%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction99%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction96%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction92%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Sunderland

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 Sunderland vs University of Surrey: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Sunderland and £30,000 at University of Surrey: University of Sunderland is about £12,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,000 a year at University of Sunderland and £25,900 at University of Surrey: University of Sunderland is about £8,900 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 Sunderland and University of Surrey?

Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Law, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Chemistry, Computer Science, Management, Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Psychology (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies, Economics and 25 more.

Is University of Sunderland or University of Surrey better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £19,000 three years after graduating from University of Sunderland, and £27,000 from University of Surrey. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at University of Sunderland and 94% at University of Surrey. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Surrey lists 271 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sunderland lists 193 courses.

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

University of Sunderland teaches 19 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Design & Fashion, Media & Film Studies, Journalism, Fine Art, Performing Arts (General), Software Engineering, Applied Psychology, Education Studies and 11 more.

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

University of Surrey teaches 25 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Physics, Civil Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Drama & Theatre, Nutrition & Dietetics, English Literature, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computing & IT and 17 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Sunderland193 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses