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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 Surrey

Guildford · QS World #246

U
University of the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

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.

6/9

Surrey

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

3/9

West of Scotland

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Surrey vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

University of Surrey and University of the West of Scotland both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being Physics, Chemistry and Electronic & Electrical Engineering. University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,000 a year at University of Surrey and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £14,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,900 a year at University of Surrey and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £9,620 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 14 and University of the West of Scotland in 1. The widest gap is in Electronic & Electrical Engineering: £41,500 three years after graduating from University of Surrey, against £26,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 6 and University of the West of Scotland in 4, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#246
QS World
—
#201
THE World
#601
#24
Guardian UK
#115
1966
Established
1897
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

University of Surrey

University of the West of Scotland

88.7%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£38,300
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.7%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

20.2%
30.3%

International

International student share

271
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

36
0

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.

Surrey

90 countries · 20.2% international

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

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 Surrey

University of the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Community & Specialist Nursing, Mechanical Engineering, Nursing (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Health & Social Care, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Surrey

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 Surrey
£30,000
University of the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £14,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Surrey
£25,900
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £9,620 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 Surrey

University of the West of Scotland

  • Physics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%Satisfaction95%

  • Chemistry

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    95%Satisfaction95%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £41,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction80%

  • Law

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    94%SatisfactionNo data

  • Music

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    98%Satisfaction90%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    85%Satisfaction93%

  • Accounting

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    92%SatisfactionNo data

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    84%Satisfaction99%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    91%Satisfaction100%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    96%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 15 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

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 →

University of the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Surrey vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is University of Surrey or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,000 a year at University of Surrey and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £14,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,900 a year at University of Surrey and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £9,620 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 Surrey and University of the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 30 subject areas: Physics, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business Studies, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Law, Politics & International Relations, Music, Computing & IT, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Accounting and 18 more.

Is University of Surrey or University of the West of Scotland better for Physics?

Physics graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from University of Surrey, and £23,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at University of Surrey and 95% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Surrey or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of Surrey lists 271 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at University of Surrey but not at University of the West of Scotland?

University of Surrey teaches 32 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Civil Engineering, Management, Economics, Computer Science, Drama & Theatre, Finance & Actuarial Science, Nutrition & Dietetics, English Literature and 24 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of Surrey?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 19 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Teacher Training, Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Applied Psychology, Social Sciences (General), Social Work, Design & Fashion, Journalism and 11 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses