WUSCA ranking
The overall ranking is decided by students from this institution rating them in a 2025 Whatuni review. This forms the basis of the Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs for short).
12th
/130
CUG ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
13,485
HIGH
Undergraduate students
Source: HESA, 2021 (note: only applies to undergraduate records)
The University of Surrey is a vibrant institution with a beautiful campus, located in Guildford, UK. The university is well known for its excellent teaching standards and hands-on approach to learning.
Undergraduate courses at Surrey equip students with the transferable skills and knowledge required for personal development and professional success in specialist fields. Courses are at the university are overseen by Surrey’s three faculties: the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, and the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.
Guildford is a bustling market town in the heart of the southeast of England, and Surrey’s two campuses are located just a 10-minute stroll from the town’s centre. There is also a frequent bus service between the campuses and the centre of town which runs into the early hours of the morning. In Guildford, students enjoy a wide variety of bars, pubs, restaurants, cafes, and cultural attractions. Surrey’s picturesque countryside is easily reachable from Guildford, meaning there are plenty of areas of natural beauty for students to explore in their spare time. Central London is also only 35-minutes away from Guildford via a regular train service.
University of Surrey students on Whatuni say:
“The culture here is amazing, it really feels like the staff and students genuinely want to help you achieve your goals.”
“Guildford and Surrey is a very nice place to live and study.”
“I had a fantastic time studying at Surrey University. The campus is beautiful and modern, with great facilities,”
Courses and lecturers
4.3Course rating
4.3Course content rating
4.1Lecturers and Teaching quality rating
The structure of undergraduate courses at the University of Surrey varies on a course-by-course basis. Generally, courses consist of lectures, seminars and workshops, which are complemented by independent study. Students at Surrey are typically assessed through a mixture of exams, essays, practical work, and presentations. Courses at Surrey span a wide variety of subject areas and students can browse all available undergraduate courses via the university’s undergraduate course database.
Personal and professional development is embedded in all undergraduate courses at Surrey. Many courses include a professional training year where students have the opportunity to either undertake a work placement or study abroad. Students are well supported by university staff throughout any placements they undertake, and these placements can often lead to future career opportunities. The university currently has over 2,300 placement partners and study abroad options for undergraduate students.
Lecturers and teaching staff at Surrey are passionate learning professionals who ensure that their students enjoy the very best university experience. Lecturers are qualified specialists in their individual fields who implement the latest technology and innovative research discoveries throughout course content. One-to-one support is also made available to all students at Surrey via regular tutorials throughout their studies.
University of Surrey students on Whatuni say:
“Dynamic and interactive lectures, the professors make the subjects very interesting and are very approachable.”
“The information I've learnt from lectures has been easy to digest personally, as it has been properly explained.”
“There is a very good blend of online support and in person teaching which promotes the development of independent study.”
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Entry requirements for undergraduate courses at the University of Surrey vary on a course-by-course basis. Students are able to view specific entry requirements for courses via their individual course listings. If prospective students require any help or advice with their application for undergraduate courses at Surrey, the university’s helpful admissions team are always on hand to offer support and answer any queries.
The university’s In2Surrey access scheme provides eligible undergraduate applicants the benefit of a reduction in entry requirements. This reduction is generally equivalent to one A-level grade lower than standard entry requirements. Prospective students are able to apply for the In2Surrey scheme online. If their application is successful, students will receive a scholarship as part of the scheme, in addition to access to an undergraduate student e-mentor, a travel bursary for applicant events, and invitations to exclusive events throughout their time at the university. To apply for the In2Surrey scheme, prospective students must be a home student permanently residing in the UK and they need to have studied at a non-selective state secondary school.
The University of Surrey offers a range of comfortable and convenient accommodation options to suit all requirements and budgets. There are more than 6,000 rooms available, with a range of choices such as en-suite, single-sex, studio flat, shared room or single.
Campus life at Surrey is safe and comfortable, with plenty of opportunities to socialise and meet like-minded people.
University of Surrey students on Whatuni say:
“I feel super safe in my room and the flat is cleaned every week which is amazing.”
“Very nice modern.”
“Guildford is such a safe place.”
Facilities
The university takes pride and invests heavily in its facilities. A recent investment of £16 million into its main library ensures access to a modern learning environment, with enough room to accommodate all students.
Students at Surrey benefit from discounted membership to Surrey Sports Park, the training base for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The £36 million facility boasts a £500,000 gym, an indoor climbing centre, a spinning studio, a 50-metre Olympic-standard swimming pool and 10 grass pitches.
There is also a modern performing arts space. Created primarily for theatre and performance students, the Ivy Arts Centre has a 200-seat theatre, two studios, dressing rooms, a costume making room, a foyer and bar.
University of Surrey students on Whatuni say:
“I really like the study spaces available and the lake on campus. The library has lots of silent study space which is really good.”
“The university has great facilities.”
“Great facilities like the library and sports centre.”
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SRStudent ReviewerReviewed 08 Mar 25
Best: I love the lectures and the feel of the campus. There's always a event happening and there's loads of guest...
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The University of Surrey is committed to supporting its diverse student body with a range of inclusive support services. All support services are confidential and free to access for students.
MySurrey Hive is a newly developed student centre which is located on Surrey’s Stag Hill campus. Here, students can access a range of specialist support services which are designed to address any and all issues that may affect students’ ability to study while at the university.
There is the Centre for Wellbeing, the disability and neurodiversity team, and a careers service. The university’s Health Centre at MySurrey Hive additionally supports students with physical health and wellbeing issues, offering many of the services that students would traditionally find at NHS surgeries.
There is also a multi-faith chaplaincy, an international student support department and a peer support programme at the university. The university also has a specialist student money team which provides a range of financial support services. Trained finance advisors are always available to give students budgeting advice and support when required.
University of Surrey students on Whatuni say:
“The facilities are very good and there is very large amount of student support available.”
“The support I get from my lecturers has been greatly beneficial and they have answered questions greatly with clarity.”
“Love how supportive everyone is, friendly feel and amazing facilities in the library and just around the university.”
Visit website
Find out more about the student support offered on the university’s website.
The University of Surrey offers a wide range of undergraduate courses across a number of different subject areas. Surrey is one of the UK’s leading institutions for biomedical science courses. The university delivers a range of state-of-the-art courses in the subject, which prioritise practical approaches to the discipline. Students are taught by leading academics in the field and are provided with access to 24-hour computer suites and teaching laboratories.
Students studying on undergraduate business courses at Surrey, meanwhile, benefit from the chance to complete exciting placement opportunities. As part of their courses, business students undertake placements with leading international companies such as Marks and Spencer’s, Sony, and Aldi.
The university’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management is also highly regarded as a leading centre for research and teaching. The school is home to international experts in the hospitality and tourism industry, who work tirelessly to design a fresh and dynamic range of professionally centred courses.
University of Surrey students on Whatuni say:
“Fantastic teaching staff, good contact hours, good content.”
“The teaching staff were really knowledgeable and supportive, and I felt like I was able to get the help I needed whenever I asked.”
“I would definitely recommend Surrey University to anyone looking for a great student experience.”
A team of enthusiastic and dedicated elected student officers run the students' union (SU) at Surrey. There is a busy timetable of events and activities organised throughout the year by the SU.
University of Surrey students on Whatuni say:
“There’s a lot of opportunities to socialise.”
“The University of Surrey is located in a very quiet and safe area, but conveniently very close to Guildford railway station.”
“Wide range of societies to take part in.”
Clubs and Societies
There are a wide range of clubs and societies at the University of Surrey. For students wanting to share in the magic of Harry Potter or reckon the Archery society might hit the mark, joining one of the university’s more than 170 sports clubs and societies can help them make friends and memories for life.
City life
The University of Surrey is located just a 10-minute walk from the centre ofGuildford. The town is bustling with bars, pubs, restaurants, cafes, and a range of shops. Guildford also boasts a cinema, a lido, a number of music venues and three theatres. Surrey’s world-renowned countryside is easily reachable from the town centre, as is central London, which is only 35-minutes away via train.
Cost of a pint
This is the average cost of a pint.
Source: IDP Connect 2019
£3.50
per pint
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The Job Prospects ranking was decided by students from this institution rating them in a Whatuni review. This formed the basis for the 2025 Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs).
The University of Surrey has an outstanding reputation for graduate employability, with 95% of students from the university reported to be in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023).
Undergraduate courses at the university are designed to ensure that students are equipped with the transferable skills and knowledge necessary to achieve future career success in both industry and academia.
The university has strong and established links with a large network of international universities and companies. Students at Surrey are encouraged to take up a year in industry with one of the university’s 2,300 placement partners, either in the UK or abroad.
The employability and careers centre is also always available to help students and graduates with any career-related advice. The centre offers a range of career support services, including guidance interviews, drop-in appointments, practice interviews and CV writing support sessions. There are, additionally, a number of careers events run throughout the year at Surrey.
The University of Surrey believes in fair access to education to students from all backgrounds and economic situations. The university is therefore committed to making sure that it offers financial support to those students might need it. Surrey’s range of bursaries and scholarships are among the best in the country, with both merit-based and means-tested awards available.
Prospective students can visit the university’s financial support guide for full information on available bursaries and scholarships, including their associated eligibility criteria.
Fees
Tuition fees vary for undergraduate courses at the University of Surrey on a course-by-course basis. Prospective students should consult individual course pages for the most up-to-date information on fees and payment options. To help with course costs, the university provides all undergraduates with free digital copies of essential textbooks. This is part of Surrey’s commitment to making university more accessible to those from lower income households.
In addition to standard course fees, some additional costs may be required if students choose to peruse a professional training placement year.
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Send a message directly to the uni to learn more about their scholarships and bursaries.
As well as a wide range of courses, studying at University of Surrey offers you loads of opportunities to boost your CV thanks to the careers department. You might even have the chance to do a work placement or sandwich year during your degree.
As well as providing you with opportunities to develop academically and professionally, you'll have a wide range of clubs and societies to join. You'll be able to pick up a new hobby and make loads of new friends by joining some of the clubs and societies on offer at University of Surrey.
Many courses at University of Surrey offer an opportunity to do a work placement or sandwich year. These opportunities will help you develop your employability skills, and the careers department is also on hand to offer personal support.
As well as a wide range of courses on offer, University of Surrey also has loads of clubs and societies you can join during your studies. Joining societies is just one of the many ways you can tailor your experience at University of Surrey to suit you.
You'll be shocked by the number of clubs and societies on offer at University of Surrey. There's something for everyone! As well as being able to pick different clubs and societies, most courses let you choose modules at different points through your degree.
As well as personalising your course through optional modules, you may have the chance to do a work placement during your studies. Developing your professional skills through work placements is a great way to add to your CV and boost your employability.
What can you do with a degree from University of Surrey?
The world is your oyster! Of course, the exact options open to you will depend on which subject you choose to study. Employers often look to hire graduates, so you can be sure that your degree will give you a wider range of employment opportunities.
No matter what degree you choose, however, you'll have option of going on to further study. If you want to keep studying, your undergraduate degree will enable you to go on to a master's degree or even a PhD.
With a degree in a subject you love, you'll find more doors opening to jobs you'll love. Studies have also shown that graduates earn more on average compared to non-graduates.
If you want to continue to pursue education, you'll be able to progress to postgraduate study once you've got your undergraduate degree. You could opt to study a master's, or even get a PhD.
If you want a job you love (and who doesn't?), getting a job in a field you're passionate about is a great place to start. By studying a subject you really enjoy, you'll be qualified for a range of jobs relating to that subject, which you'll hopefully love.
For those who aren't ready to give up on education after an undergraduate degree, you'll have the opportunity to progress to postgraduate study such as a master's or even a PhD.
What accommodation does University of Surrey offer?
If you opt to live in uni halls, you'll benefit from free WiFi and all-inclusive rent. Rent for uni halls also includes security and maintenance, so you can be sure you'll be well-looked after. There are several accessible rooms available, which are adapted for disabled students.
Halls also have communal areas such as kitchen facilities where you can meet your flatmates over a cup of tea. You'll also have access to dining facilities where you can share a meal with other students in your accommodation.
Living in uni halls means you'll have access to communal areas including kitchen and dining facilities. These facilities offer you plenty of opportunity to socialise with the students you're living with.
You'll also find all bills are included in your rent, and yes, that includes WiFi. Rent also covers security and maintenance. There are accessible rooms available in halls that have been adapted for disabled students.
University of Surrey's accommodation is designed to be as straightforward and stress-free as possible. All your bills are included in your rent, you'll have free WiFi and your rent also includes security and maintenance.
You'll have access to communal areas like kitchen and dining facilities, where you can socialise with other students you're living with. Disabled students will find several rooms adapted in accessible halls to suit a range of access requirements.