University of Surrey
A Guildford campus university built around the paid placement year, with its own vet school and space heritage.
- Students
- 17,974
- 13,926 undergraduates
- International
- 30%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 14:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- £15,200
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1891
About Surrey
The University of Surrey began as Battersea Polytechnic Institute in London in 1891, became one of the first colleges of advanced technology in 1956, and received its royal charter as a university on 9 September 1966 before moving to Guildford. Today it has around 18,000 students across its Stag Hill and Manor Park campuses, about ten minutes' walk from Guildford town centre and just over 30 minutes by train from London.
Surrey is organised into three faculties: Engineering and Physical Sciences; Health and Medical Sciences; and Arts, Business and Social Sciences. It is known for space engineering (Surrey Satellite Technology grew out of the university), mobile communications through its 5G/6G Innovation Centre, hospitality and tourism, veterinary medicine and the Tonmeister music and sound recording degree. The Guildford School of Acting is also part of the university.
The defining feature is Professional Training: most courses can include a placement year, and the university works with over 2,000 employers. Surrey suits students who want a practical, career-focused degree on a green campus, with a paid placement year and strong student satisfaction; it was named University of the Year for Student Experience in the Daily Mail University Guide 2027.
Why students choose Surrey
Professional Training placements with over 2,000 employers: 80% of placements are paid, and 92% of placement students are in graduate-level jobs 15 months after graduating (Graduate Outcomes, published 2026).
Surrey was 7th in the UK for overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2026 and is Daily Mail University of the Year for Student Experience 2027.
New undergraduates holding a firm or insurance offer are guaranteed a room if they apply by the deadline, with 5,750 rooms across campus.
Hospitality and tourism at Surrey is 1st in the UK in the QS subject rankings 2026 and 2nd in the world in ShanghaiRanking's subject rankings 2026.
Admissions
2027 entry
Selectivity
Surrey does not publish an overall offer rate. Typical offers range from BCC–CCC (International Hospitality Management) to AAA (MEng courses, Tonmeister and Veterinary Medicine), with foundation-year routes at CCC.
Typical entry requirements
| A-levels | Course-specific, e.g. BCC–CCC (International Hospitality Management), ABB (Law, Computer Science BSc, Aerospace Engineering BEng), AAB or ABB with Maths or Economics (Economics), AAA (Aerospace Engineering MEng, Computer Science MEng, Tonmeister with Maths, Music and Physics, Veterinary Medicine with Biology and Chemistry) |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | Course-specific, e.g. 33 (Law, Computer Science BSc, Aerospace Engineering BEng), 34 (Economics), 35 (MEng courses, Tonmeister, Veterinary Medicine with Biology and Chemistry HL6/SL7) |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 Course-specific: IELTS Academic 6.0 with 5.5 in each element for Computer Science and Aerospace Engineering; 6.5 with 6.0 in writing and 5.5 elsewhere for Law, Economics and Tonmeister; 7.0 in each element for Veterinary Medicine. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and Duolingo are also accepted. |
Deadlines
- UCAS (Veterinary Medicine and Science) Non-binding Next deadline · In 9 days15 October 2026, 18:00 UK time
Includes overseas applicants; later applications are not considered. Online questionnaire due 27 October 2026; interviews November 2026 to January 2027.
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
All other undergraduate courses.
The 15 October 2026 and 13 January 2027 dates are the UCAS deadlines for 2027 entry. Medicine at Surrey is a graduate-entry (BMBS) programme.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS with a personal statement and reference. Most courses make offers on predicted grades; Veterinary Medicine adds an online questionnaire and multiple mini interviews, and Tonmeister and performance courses interview or audition. International students who do not meet direct entry can take an International Foundation Year at the University of Surrey International Study Centre.
What admissions looks for
- Grades that meet the typical offer, including required subjects such as Maths for Computer Science and Biology and Chemistry for Veterinary Medicine.
- Required GCSEs held at the time of application, such as Maths at grade 6 (B) for Economics.
- For Veterinary Medicine, academic achievement and references at shortlisting, then the questionnaire and interview; veterinary work experience is not required.
- Individual merit, assessed under the university's code of practice for fair, transparent and consistent admissions.
Tips for applying to Surrey
- 1 Choose the 'with placement' version of your course: the placement year costs about 20% of the UK fee (£2,010 for 2027/28) and is where Surrey's employment edge comes from.
- 2 Taking A-level Maths or Economics lowers the Economics offer from AAB to ABB.
- 3 Veterinary Medicine does not require vet work experience, but you must apply by 15 October and return the online questionnaire within a week.
- 4 International applicants can be considered for awards such as the International Excellence Award (£5,000 off tuition) and the Vice-Chancellor's Future Leaders Award (£7,500).
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in GBP
UK students can apply for scholarships such as the Forever Surrey and Battersea scholarships (up to £16,000), and eligible students receive a Starting at Surrey Bursary cash payment. International students can receive tuition awards such as the International Excellence Award (£5,000) and the Vice-Chancellor's Future Leaders Award (£7,500).
- £5,000 off tuition fees
- International Excellence Award (undergraduate)
- £7,500 off tuition fees
- Vice-Chancellor's Future Leaders Award
- Up to £16,000
- Forever Surrey Scholarship
- £2,010
- Professional Training year fee (UK, 2027/28)
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Veterinary Medicine and Science (BVMSci)
Accredited by the RCVS and EAEVE; AAA with Biology and Chemistry and a 15 October deadline.
Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) (BSc)
AAA including Maths, Music and Physics, with an interview day and a placement year.
International Hospitality Management (BSc)
Surrey is 1st in the UK and 18th in the world for hospitality and leisure management (QS 2026).
Aerospace Engineering (BEng/MEng)
ABB (BEng) or AAA (MEng) including Maths, at the university that spun out Surrey Satellite Technology; 10th in the UK for aeronautical and aerospace engineering (Complete University Guide 2027).
Economics (BSc)
AAB, or ABB with A-level Maths or Economics, with compulsory employability modules and a placement year option.
Law (LLB)
ABB, with advocacy practice in an on-campus courtroom and several pathways including Law and Technology.
Research
- The 5G/6G Innovation Centre, backed by £70 million, was one of the world's first research centres dedicated to mobile communications and future internet technologies.
- Surrey Research Park, opened in 1985, hosts more than 100 companies employing about 2,500 people in research and development.
- Surrey won its fourth Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2017, for teaching and research in food and nutrition.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
- Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences
The university reports that 93% of graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months; among students who took a placement, 97% are in work or further study and 92% are in graduate-level employment (Graduate Outcomes data published 2026).
Student life
Surrey's main Stag Hill campus holds the library, the Students' Union and a supermarket, while Manor Park holds much of the student housing, Surrey Sports Park and the School of Veterinary Medicine. The Sports Park has an Olympic-size swimming pool and climbing walls. There are over 170 clubs and societies, from ballroom dancing to taekwondo, plus a strong arts scene including the Guildford School of Acting. With 5,750 rooms, first-year housing is guaranteed for offer holders who apply on time.
- Over 170 clubs and societies run through the Students' Union.
- Surrey Sports Park, with an Olympic-size pool and climbing walls.
- Daily Mail University of the Year for Student Experience 2027.
- Guildford is ranked among the safest university towns in England and Wales.
Housing. Firm and insurance undergraduate offer holders are guaranteed a place in University accommodation if they apply by the relevant deadlines.
Location
Guildford is a town in Surrey with a blend of entertainment, culture and history, and the campus is about ten minutes' walk from its centre. London is just over 30 minutes away by train, and Heathrow and Gatwick are around 45 minutes by car. The university describes Guildford as one of the safest university towns in England and Wales, set in the Surrey countryside.
Nearest airport: London Heathrow (LHR) or London Gatwick (LGW)
Notable alumni
- SM Sir Martin SweetingSpace engineer and chairman of Surrey Satellite Technology
- AG Ameenah Gurib-FakimPresident of Mauritius (2015–2018) and biodiversity scientist
- PS Paetongtarn ShinawatraPrime Minister of Thailand (2024–2025)
- HD Hassan DiabPrime Minister of Lebanon (2020–2021)
- DT Deborah TurnessFormer president of NBC News and editor of ITV News
- RE Robert EarlFounder and CEO of Planet Hollywood
- JM John MullenChairman of Qantas
- KA Kate AllenbyOlympic medal-winning modern pentathlete
Frequently asked questions
What grades do you need for the University of Surrey?
Typical offers vary by course: ABB for Law and Computer Science BSc, AAB for Economics (ABB with A-level Maths or Economics), and AAA for MEng courses, Tonmeister and Veterinary Medicine. Foundation-year routes ask for CCC.
Does Surrey offer a placement year?
Yes. Most courses have a 'with placement' version; the university works with over 2,000 employers, 80% of placements are paid, and UK students pay £2,010 for the placement year in 2027/28.
How much are Surrey's fees for international students?
For 2027 entry most overseas fees are £22,700 to £28,100 a year, for example £23,800 for Law and £28,100 for Aerospace Engineering. Veterinary Medicine is £44,900, and fees rise 4% each later year.
When is the deadline for Veterinary Medicine at Surrey?
15 October 2026 at 18:00 via UCAS for September 2027 entry, including for overseas applicants; shortlisted applicants complete an online questionnaire and online multiple mini interviews.
Is accommodation guaranteed at Surrey?
Yes, firm and insurance undergraduate offer holders are guaranteed a place if they apply by the relevant deadlines.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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