History
The University of Surrey was established on 9 September 1966 with the grant of its Royal Charter, but its roots go back to a late 19th-century concern to provide greater access to further and higher education for the poorer inhabitants of London. Battersea Polytechnic Institute was founded in 1891 and began concentrating on science and technology around 1920, teaching students for degrees from the University of London.
By the beginning of the 1960s, the College had outgrown its main building in Battersea Park Road and in 1962 it was decided to move the institution to Guildford, becoming the University of Surrey four years later.
Education
The University of Surrey stands out for its commitment to exceptional teaching and practice-based learning. We have a huge range of professional-standard facilities, such as labs, workshops and studios, where you can develop your skills and learn by doing.
You’ll learn from academics who are experts in their field and continuously contributing to modern day research. You’ll be learning about current topics which will prepare you for your future career.
Our goal is to provide a challenging and rewarding university experience that creates incredible memories and helps you achieve your ambitions, while building friendships and connections that will last a lifetime.
Research
- Our research seeks to answer global challenges, drive innovation and deliver real-world impact. We have more than 1,300 postgraduate researchers across 100+ different research centres and groups.
- Surrey is home, among other facilities, to the world’s leading innovation centre for 5G/6G research, an internationally renowned clinical trials unit, and the STAR LAB for space robotics. We also have two pan-University institutes, taking multidisciplinary approaches to major societal issues: the Institute for People-Centred AI and the Institute for Sustainability.
- In the most recent Research Excellence Framework 2021, 41 per cent of our submitted research was rated as world leading.
Career
At Surrey, we have an outstanding track record for graduate employability. 94% of our postgraduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes survey 2025, HESA).You’ll start preparing for your future from your very first day and will have many opportunities to boost your employability, from getting hands-on experience in industry to personalised sessions with our award-winning careers team, for the Best University Careers/Employability Service (National Employability Awards 2022).
Top reasons to study here
- Employability - Over 95% of our masters students secure work or further study after graduating (Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA).
- Scholarships - £6 million in scholarships available, including dedicated awards for international students.
- UK Top 15 University - A safe, green campus university, just 35 minutes from Central London (CUG 2025).
University of Surrey Key Statistics & Highlights
- #201 Ranking
- 103 Masters
- 89 Scholarships
- 909 Academic Staff
- 17,500 Students
- 3,800 Students (int'l)
- 9,317 Students (female)
- Public Institution Type
University of Surrey Overview
University of Surrey Scholarships
University of Surrey Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to University of Surrey. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
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University of Surrey Student Reviews & Awards
Based on 71 reviews
- 5 Star 34 Reviews
- 4 Star 33 Reviews
- 3 Star 4 Reviews
- 2 Star 0 Reviews
- 1 Star 0 Reviews
How Students Rated This University
- Overall Satisfaction 4.5
- Student Teacher Interaction 4.3
- Student Diversity 4.1
- Quality of Student Life 4.0
- Career Development 4.2
I'm Faith Simon, and I'm excited.
*My Expectations* I'm looking forward to learning from experienced academics and industry experts, as well as connecting with fellow students from diverse backgrounds. I'm excited about the prospect of joining student societies and clubs, such as [Specific Society/Club], to pursue my interests and passions. *Verdict* Based on my research, Surrey University seems like an excellent fit for me. I'm confident that the university will provide me with the ideal environment to grow, learn, and thrive. Fingers crossed!
Contended
My experience at the University of Surrey has been largely positive and enriching. What I appreciated most was the supportive learning environment and the strong focus on practical, career relevant skills. The teaching approach encourages understanding rather than memorisation, and lecturers are approachable and willing to offer guidance when needed. I also valued the university’s emphasis on employability, with access to career support, workshops, and opportunities that help students prepare for life after graduation. The campus environment is another strong point. It provides a calm and focused place to study while still being well connected to London, which makes it easy to access wider professional and cultural opportunities. I also enjoyed the sense of community, as students come from diverse backgrounds, creating an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere.
My honest review
I haven’t started yet but so far the experience is good The support and feedback is what I really do appreciate the most I urge everyone that found interest to continue because it’s a homely space for them.
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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Overall SatisfactionHow would you rate your overall study experience?
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Student Teacher InteractionHow helpful were your teachers?
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Student DiversityHow diverse was the atmosphere at your university?
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Quality of Student LifeHow was your everyday life?
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Career DevelopmentDid the university provide support for your career development?
University of Surrey Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
World University Rankings
By Times Higher Education
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 251 | 201 | 201 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
QS World University Rankings
By TopUniversities
Climbed 23 places compared to 2025
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 244 | 285 | 262 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 301 | 401 | 401 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
By U.S. News & World Report
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2026 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 327 | - | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Student services
The university has a dedicated team available to help international students, from the moment they decide to apply until graduation and beyond, offering services such as airport pickups, orientation events, language support, student communities and accommodation support.
Surrey provides a wide range of student support services throughout the academic year, such as the Online student portal (MySurrey) which allows students to access support and advice at any hour of the day. Students can also speak with advisor and councillors in-person via the MySurrey Hive.
International students have access to support from the University of Surrey from the moment they decide to apply all the way until after they graduate.
Housing services
With so much happening on campus, it’s easy to see why so many students want to live here. There are more than 5,750 study-bedrooms on campus, 4,000 of which have an en-suite shower and toilet. There are choices to suit all budgets and requirements and you’re guaranteed university accommodation in your first year as long as your application arrives on time.
Library services
The University of Surrey library was refreshed and refurbished in 2018. We now provide more than 1,700 study spaces and 400 computers. We are open for 24 hours a day most of the year and offer access to:
- Extensive online and print collections
- A wide variety of individual and collaborative learning spaces
- A range of tailored support to ensure that all our users get the most out of their learning and research journeys.
ICT services
As a student at Surrey, you will find that IT will play a big part in your time at the University. Whether you are using one of the 900+ PCs in the Open Access PC rooms, connecting to the wireless network or working from home using off-campus secure web access, IT Services will always provide you with efficient and innovative IT solutions.
Medical services
The Student Health Centre is available for support with a range of physical health and wellbeing issues and offers many of the same services as other NHS surgeries in the area. It is located on our Stag Hill campus and is part of the Guildowns Group Practice.
Campus life
Across our lovely, leafy campus, you’ll find a fabulous choice of places to eat, drink and hang out. As well as a selection of shops and cafés, there are also facilities like The Snug, a bookable student space with huge comfy sofas, an 85” screen and a PlayStation. When you want to explore further afield, public transport is easy to access. Stag Hill is just 10 minutes’ walk from Guildford station with trains that can get you into central London in just 34 minutes or direct to Gatwick airport.
Sports facilities
Surrey Sports Park is your home for sport. Based on Manor Park campus, our £36 million facility offers something for all, from gym users to elite athletes, social sport enthusiasts to fitness class lovers. You will benefit from discounted membership at Surrey Sports Park, giving you access to a huge range of facilities, classes and activities. The facilities on offer include:
- A 50 metre, eight-lane, Olympic-standard swimming pool
- Newly refurbished 120-station gym and strength and conditioning area with nine Olympic platforms
- Three artificial pitches, including two 3G pitches
- Surrey Summit Climbing Centre
- Eight floodlit outdoor tennis courts
- New for 2026, Surrey Sports Park will open the largest padel centre in Surrey. With 10 courts and affordable memberships, the facility will be sector leading.
Student clubs
There are more than 160 student societies – perfect to help you find a new hobby or pursue an existing passion, and make new friends with like-minded people. The Students’ Union also organises unforgettable events and volunteering opportunities to ensure you have the best possible university experience.
Accreditation
Globally:
- Top 250 in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026)
- Surrey ranks in world’s top 100 for six subjects in the 2025 Shanghai Global Subject Rankings
- 19th in the UK in Complete University Guide League Table for 2026 (Complete University Guide 2026)
- Guildford ranked safest student town or city in England and Wales (Complete University Guide 2025).
- Our Surrey Business School is double-accredited, by both the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA).
- The School of Veterinary Medicine has also been evaluated and accredited by the influential European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE).