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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 York

York · QS World #158

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/12

Surrey

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

7/12

York

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of York leads in 7 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, courses). University of Surrey is ahead on satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship.

University of Surrey vs University of York at a glance

University of Surrey and University of York both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Chemistry, Computer Science and Physics. University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas; University of York offers 532 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,000 a year at University of Surrey and £27,500 at University of York: University of York is about £2,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,900 a year at University of Surrey and £27,250 at University of York: University of Surrey is about £1,350 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 20 and University of York in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Electronic & Electrical Engineering: £41,500 three years after graduating from University of Surrey, against £33,000 from University of York. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 14 and University of York in 6, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#246
QS World
#158
#201
THE World
#154
#24
Guardian UK
#20
1966
Established
1963
No
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Gold

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 York

88.7%
87.1%

Satisfaction

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

£38,300
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.7%
80.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

20.2%
18.6%

International

International student share

271
532

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

36
3

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

York

97 countries · 18.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.1%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.3%
  • 🌐Korea (South)2.2%

Subjects

45 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 York

Also taught at both: Drama & Theatre, Human Geography & Environment, Psychology (General), Film Production & Cinematography, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Childhood & Youth Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Accounting, French, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Business Studies, English Literature, General Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Marketing, Mental Health Nursing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Nursing (General), Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Mechanical Engineering, Adult Nursing, Biotechnology, Children's Nursing, Community & Specialist Nursing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Writing, Midwifery, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Surrey

Only at University of York

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 York
£27,500

University of York is about £2,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Surrey
£25,900
University of York
£27,250

University of Surrey is about £1,350 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 York

  • Chemistry

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    95%Satisfaction92%

  • Computer Science

    £41,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    78%Satisfaction73%

  • Physics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction80%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £41,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Music

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    98%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    89%Satisfaction75%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    94%Satisfaction82%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 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 York

Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

York Bursary

£1,000

Deadline: N/A

York Futures Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Surrey vs University of York: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,000 a year at University of Surrey and £27,500 at University of York: University of York is about £2,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,900 a year at University of Surrey and £27,250 at University of York: University of Surrey is about £1,350 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 York?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Law, Music, Management, Sociology & Criminology, Economics and 33 more.

Is University of Surrey or University of York better for Chemistry?

Chemistry graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from University of Surrey, and £28,500 from University of York. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at University of Surrey and 92% at University of York. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of York lists 532 courses on CourseOptions and University of Surrey lists 271 courses.

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

University of Surrey teaches 17 subject areas that University of York does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Computing & IT, Aerospace Engineering, Animal Science, Biological Sciences (General), Food Science, Games Design & Computer Animation and 9 more.

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

University of York teaches 37 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Philosophy, Archaeology, English Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, History, History of Art & Design, Education Studies, Linguistics and 29 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 York532 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses