University of Surrey

Founded in 1966, the University of Surrey is a prestigious research-intensive university known for its high-quality teaching, industry-focused learning, and strong graduate outcomes. Located in Guildford, Surrey, just 35 minutes from central London by train, the university combines a modern campus environment with excellent academic and professional opportunities. Its origins date back to 1891, when Battersea Polytechnic Institute was established to expand access to higher education for the people of London. This long-standing commitment to education and innovation continues to shape Surrey’s global reputation today.

Home to more than 18,000 students from 140 countries, the University of Surrey offers a welcoming and diverse international community. With over 5,400 international students, the university provides a truly multicultural learning environment where students from different backgrounds can study, collaborate, and succeed together. Surrey’s vibrant green campus features state-of-the-art facilities designed to support both academic achievement and student wellbeing.

The university is recognised as a Top 20 UK university in the Complete University Guide 2026, reflecting its consistent academic excellence and student satisfaction. Surrey also demonstrates outstanding career outcomes, with 94% of undergraduates progressing into employment or further education according to the Graduate Outcomes Survey, the UK’s largest survey of graduate destinations. In the 2025 Whatuni? Student Choice Awards (WUSCA), Surrey received a silver award for career prospects, highlighting the university’s strong focus on employability and professional development.

The University of Surrey offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes through its three main faculties: the Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, and the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. Students benefit from practice-based learning in professional-standard laboratories, studios, and simulation centres that prepare them for real-world careers.

Surrey is also recognised for its innovative research institutes, including the Institute for Sustainability, People-Centred Artificial Intelligence, Surrey Space Institute, and Surrey Institute of Education. These institutes bring together experts from different disciplines to develop creative solutions to global challenges and deliver impactful research with real-world value.

The University of Surrey offers a wide range of student services designed to support academic success, personal wellbeing, career development, and everyday student life. From healthcare and emotional support to study assistance and employability guidance, Surrey provides a comprehensive support system that helps students make the most of their university experience.

Student health and wellbeing are a major priority at Surrey. The Student Health Centre, located on the Stag Hill campus, provides professional support for physical health and wellbeing needs. As part of the Guildowns Group Practice, the centre offers many of the same services available through NHS surgeries in the local area, ensuring students have convenient access to healthcare throughout their studies.

In addition to physical health services, the university’s Centre for Wellbeing supports students with emotional, psychological, and personal challenges. The centre provides guidance and wellbeing support to help students maintain a healthy balance during university life and reach their full academic and personal potential.

The university also recognises the importance of community and inclusion. Surrey has a diverse student population and provides support services tailored to different needs and backgrounds. Faith support is available through a multi-faith and multicultural environment that offers spaces and resources for students of all religious beliefs, helping students feel welcomed and supported on campus.

Academic support at Surrey is extensive and student-focused. Every student is assigned a personal tutor who provides academic, personal, and professional guidance throughout their studies. Tutors follow a dedicated code of practice to ensure students receive high-quality support and are referred to appropriate academic or welfare services when needed. Surrey also offers a variety of study spaces across campus, including individual study areas, group learning rooms, and specialist faculty facilities equipped with subject-specific technical resources.

International students benefit from additional language and study support services. Surrey provides pre-sessional English language courses for students who need to improve their English before starting their degree programmes. During their studies, students can also access Courses in Language and Skills for Study, which offer academic writing and English language support for those studying in a second language.

Career development is another key strength of the university. Surrey Pathfinder, the university’s digital careers hub, gives students access to career appointments, placement opportunities, job listings, events, and professional development tools. These services help students build employability skills, gain practical experience, and prepare for successful careers after graduation.

The Students’ Union also plays an important role in student support by offering academic advice, housing guidance, volunteering opportunities, clubs, societies, and social activities. In addition, Surrey supports international students before arrival through visa guidance and airport pickup assistance from Heathrow and Gatwick airports, ensuring a smooth transition to university life in the UK.

The University of Surrey has earned a strong national and international reputation for academic excellence, student satisfaction, employability, sustainability, and world-class research. Consistently recognised in leading university rankings, Surrey continues to strengthen its position as one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities. In UK league tables, the University of Surrey performs strongly across multiple ranking systems. It is ranked 19th in the Complete University Guide 2026, 23rd in The Guardian University Guide 2026, and 31st in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026. These rankings reflect Surrey’s continued commitment to delivering high-quality teaching, strong academic support, and excellent graduate outcomes.

Student satisfaction is another major strength of the university. In the National Student Survey 2025, Surrey was ranked 15th in the UK for overall student satisfaction, highlighting the positive student experience and supportive learning environment offered on campus. The university also received silver for career prospects in the 2025 Whatuni? Student Choice Awards (WUSCA), demonstrating its strong focus on employability and professional success.

The university’s graduate outcomes are equally impressive. According to Graduate Outcomes 2025 by HESA, Surrey ranks 13th in the UK for the number of graduates in high-skilled jobs. Additionally, 94% of Surrey undergraduates are either employed or in further education, showcasing the university’s ability to prepare students for successful careers.

Internationally, Surrey is recognised among the world’s leading universities. It is ranked 219th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 and 262nd in the QS World University Rankings 2026. The university is also ranked 421st globally and 33rd in the UK in the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2025. Surrey’s global reputation is further strengthened by its performance in sustainability rankings, placing 113th worldwide in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026 and within the 101–200 range globally in the THE University Impact Rankings 2025.



The University of Surrey is particularly recognised for subject excellence. In the Complete University Guide 2026, Surrey ranked 1st in the UK for Information Technology and Systems and Food Science. It also achieved top 10 rankings in subjects including Veterinary Medicine, French, Manufacturing and Production Engineering, and Medical Technology & Bioengineering.

Globally, Surrey’s Hospitality and Leisure Management programme stands out as one of the best in the world, ranked 18th internationally and 1st in the UK in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2026. The university also achieved excellent global subject rankings in Petroleum Engineering, Veterinary Science, Nursing, and Linguistics. In ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025, Surrey ranked 3rd worldwide for Hospitality and Tourism Management and placed among the top 100 globally in areas such as Sociology, Computer Science & Engineering, Business Administration, Management, and Telecommunication Engineering.

Surrey’s research performance also continues to rise. In REF 2021, the university ranked 33rd in the UK for overall research quality, improving by 12 places. Surrey is also ranked among the UK top 20 for research outputs, while 41% of its submitted research was classified as world-leading. These achievements reflect the university’s commitment to producing impactful research that addresses global challenges and drives innovation across industries.

Student life at the University of Surrey offers the perfect balance of academic focus, social experiences, sport, culture, and entertainment. Located in the vibrant town of Guildford and surrounded by the beautiful Surrey countryside, the university provides students with a safe, welcoming, and exciting environment to live and study. With London only just over 30 minutes away by train, students can also enjoy easy access to one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

Surrey’s modern campuses are designed to support both learning and leisure. Students can study in quiet library spaces, relax with friends in social hubs, or enjoy the wide variety of cafés and restaurants across campus. Popular coffee spots such as The Hideout, Hillside Coffee, and Hub on the Park Café create a lively and friendly atmosphere. The Thursday market, held during term time, offers fresh fruit, vegetables, baked goods, cakes, and international hot food, adding to the vibrant campus experience. Students also benefit from convenient facilities such as the on-campus Co-op store for everyday essentials.

The university has a strong social community supported by over 170 student clubs and societies. These include sports clubs, cultural groups, creative arts societies, volunteering opportunities, and special interest communities. The Students’ Union organises a wide range of events throughout the year, including Varsity competitions, Grad Ball, Union Ball, and Strictly Come Surrey, helping students make friends and create lasting memories.

Surrey’s entertainment venues provide students with plenty of opportunities to relax after classes. Hari’s Bar hosts quiz nights and open mic events, while Manor Park Social offers pool tables, comfortable seating, and regular social activities. Students can also enjoy spaces such as The Front Room and MySurrey Nest, which provide relaxing, work-free environments for socialising, hobbies, and downtime. For nightlife, Rubix nightclub features four floors, five bars, and live entertainment, while The Basement hosts music events and performances.

Sport and fitness are a major part of student life at Surrey. The university is home to Surrey Sports Park, a £36 million facility that served as a training base for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Facilities include a 50-metre swimming pool, a 120-station gym, fitness studios, and over 40 sports clubs. Students can participate in competitive sport, social leagues, or casual fitness activities regardless of experience level.

Surrey also has a flourishing arts and culture scene. Students can join orchestras, choirs, theatre productions, and music ensembles, with more than 24 theatre shows presented each year. Beyond campus, Guildford offers shopping, cafés, museums, bars, theatres, and entertainment venues, while London provides access to world-famous attractions, West End theatre, historic landmarks, and major sporting events.

With its supportive community, modern facilities, exciting social life, and outstanding location, the University of Surrey delivers a rewarding and memorable student experience for both UK and international students.

Accommodation at the University of Surrey is designed to provide students with a safe, comfortable, and supportive living environment throughout their studies. Located across the Stag Hill and Manor Park campuses in Guildford, the university offers a wide variety of accommodation options to suit different lifestyles, preferences, and budgets.

The University of Surrey provides more than 6,000 study bedrooms, including around 5,750 rooms across several residences such as Battersea Court, Surrey Court, Cathedral Court, Stag Hill Court, Twyford Court, and University Court. Students can choose from different room types, including en-suite rooms, shared rooms, studio flats, single rooms, and single-sex accommodation. Most rooms include en-suite facilities and free broadband access, helping students enjoy both comfort and convenience during university life.

New undergraduate and postgraduate students are guaranteed a place in university accommodation, giving students peace of mind when planning their move to the UK. First-year international students who apply before the accommodation deadline are also guaranteed housing on campus. This supportive approach helps students settle into university life quickly and become part of Surrey’s welcoming community from the beginning of their studies.

All university accommodation is self-catered and includes shared kitchen facilities where students can prepare meals and socialise with housemates. The campuses are designed to offer a secure and student-friendly atmosphere, with 24/7 security available to ensure student safety and wellbeing at all times.

For students who prefer independent living, the university also supports off-campus accommodation through its Property Management Scheme, helping students find suitable private housing in Guildford. With modern facilities, flexible room choices, and a convenient campus location, Surrey accommodation provides students with an excellent place to live, study, and enjoy university life.