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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

Y
York St John University

York · Guardian UK #105

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

York St John

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Surrey vs York St John University at a glance

University of Surrey and York St John University both teach 27 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Management and English Literature. University of Surrey offers 271 courses across 62 subject areas; York St John University offers 199 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,000 a year at University of Surrey and £14,000 at York St John University: York St John University is about £16,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,900 a year at University of Surrey and £11,800 at York St John University: York St John University is about £14,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Surrey is higher in 20 and York St John University in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £40,000 three years after graduating from University of Surrey, against £20,000 from York St John University. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Surrey is higher in 12 and York St John University in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#246
QS World
—
#201
THE World
#1001
#24
Guardian UK
#105
1966
Established
1841
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 Surrey

York St John University

88.7%
86.8%

Satisfaction

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

£38,300
£27,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.7%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

20.2%
37.1%

International

International student share

271
199

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

36
1

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 St John

35 countries · 37.1% international

  • 🌐Nepal33.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria25.4%
  • 🇮🇳India20.5%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan4.1%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka4%

Subjects

27 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

York St John University

Also taught at both: Creative Writing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Biomedical Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Games Design & Computer Animation, Adult Nursing, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery.

Only at University of Surrey

Only at York St John University

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
York St John University
£14,000

York St John University is about £16,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Surrey
£25,900
York St John University
£11,800

York St John University is about £14,100 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

York St John University

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Management

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    78%Satisfaction67%

  • English Literature

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    92%Satisfaction97%

  • Law

    £27,000Salary (3 years)No data
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    83%Satisfaction71%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    85%Satisfaction91%

  • Music

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    98%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    89%Satisfaction71%

  • Computer Science

    £41,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    78%Satisfaction78%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    83%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 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 →

York St John University

Sanctuary Scholarships

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Surrey vs York St John University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,000 a year at University of Surrey and £14,000 at York St John University: York St John University is about £16,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,900 a year at University of Surrey and £11,800 at York St John University: York St John University is about £14,100 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 York St John University?

Both universities teach 27 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Management, English Literature, Law, Business & Management (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Music, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Economics, Computer Science, Marketing and 15 more.

Is University of Surrey or York St John University better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £29,000 three years after graduating from University of Surrey, and £20,000 from York St John University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at University of Surrey and 89% at York St John University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Surrey lists 271 courses on CourseOptions and York St John University lists 199 courses.

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

University of Surrey teaches 35 subject areas that York St John University does not, including Physics, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Nutrition & Dietetics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and 27 more.

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

York St John University teaches 22 subject areas that University of Surrey does not, including Media & Film Studies, Design & Fashion, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Teacher Training, Asian Languages & Studies, History, Theology & Religious Studies, Education Studies and 14 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Surrey271 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
Y
York St John University199 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses