University of Surrey

Surrey came 9th in the UK National Student Survey 2022, with an overall satisfaction score of 84 per cent. Better still, the university keeps moving up the rankings.

The university has responded to the changes in learning styles brought about by the pandemic and improved digital learning facilities and spaces, giving students more choice about how and where they study. That's backed by outstanding connectivity across the campus – as students would expect when Surrey is home to the world's leading innovation centre for 5G/6G. It also provides undergraduate and postgraduate students with free digital copies of essential textbooks.

Surrey has also made big progress on the biggest issue: sustainability. The university is committed to being a net-zero emissions university by 2030 and, along with the students' union, is making large and small changes to every aspect of campus life. That's in addition to its pioneering research into every aspect of sustainability, from climate change to clean air to sustainable living. In the 2022 Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings, which assess universities against the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Surrey was ranked 55th, out of more than 1,400 universities globally.

At Surrey, students will learn from academics who are experts in their fields. Many remain active in their professions, and because they're always developing their knowledge, they'll teach students the most up-to-date information they'll need to know to help them get started in their career.

Surrey also stands out for its commitment to practice-based learning. It has a huge range of professional-standard facilities, such as labs, workshops and studios, where students can develop their skills and learn by doing.

In addition, across the campus students will find amazing simulation facilities: a fully operational pilot process plant, wind tunnels, flight simulators, a courtroom and a Clinical Simulation Centre, home to an Immersive Learning Environment that'll transport students to the centre of clinical scenarios. These provide a safe, supervised environment for students to put their skills and knowledge to the test.

Surrey also focuses on interdisciplinary learning, encouraging students to take a broad perspective and learn from and with their peers.

It's an approach that has proved its worth across all its departments and faculties. Surrey consistently ranks in the top ten of the UK for a wide range of courses, from engineering to health and medical sciences to modern languages.

The university is based around three faculties, which are home to a wide range of schools and departments.

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Covering a variety of areas, students can grow in a learning community that focuses on the arts, humanities and social sciences. Departments include the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, the School of Law, the School of Economics, Guildford School of Acting and Surrey Business School.

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

The faculty combines the core engineering disciplines as well as specific areas of chemistry, mathematics, computing and physics. Departments include Computer Science, Chemical and Process Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering Sciences.

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

There are five schools that offer courses in human and animal health. These are the School of Biosciences and Medicine, School of Health Sciences, School of Psychology, School of Veterinary Medicine and the new School of Medicine (graduate entry).

Across all faculties, Surrey offers a wide range of courses to suit different learners. These include:

• Undergraduate degrees
• Postgraduate taught degrees
• Postgraduate research degrees
• Continuing professional development and short courses
• Degree courses with a foundation year
• International pathway programmes.

Whether students are international or UK-based, Surrey asks everyone who wishes to study at the university to meet certain academic requirements for all of its courses. These vary between courses and different countries have different equivalents to UK qualifications. To find out what the requirements are for a particular course, students can visit the application page for international students and select the country they achieved their qualifications in.

Some courses may also have additional academic requirements. For example, there is an audition process for performing arts courses.

English language requirements

Students need to have a good standard of English to study at Surrey, but the exact level is different for each course. Students can check the university website for full English language requirements and for details of what English language qualifications it accepts.

If students are not confident they meet the requirements, they can take a look at Surrey's intensive pre-sessional English courses. These are designed to prepare international students for degree programmes and to develop English language proficiency so they can meet the entry requirements.

Visas

International students need a student visa before they can study at the University of Surrey. To receive a student visa, students must be offered a place on a course, have a sufficient level of English language proficiency and be able to support themselves financially during the course. Students can find out more about how to apply for a student visa on the university's website.

Surrey has a dedicated team available to help international students throughout the application process – from advising on choosing the right course to applying for a visa and preparing for the first few weeks at Surrey. They can even welcome students when they arrive at Heathrow or Gatwick Airport (both less than 45 minutes from Guildford).

Across all Surrey departments, students will benefit from fantastic facilities for group learning, advanced research and private study. For example, psychology students will be able to conduct their own experiments in state-of-the-art labs with a virtual reality suite, while students of languages are able to hone their skills in dedicated labs for simultaneous interpreting, equipped with industry standard tools.

Students in the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management have the real-life Lakeside restaurant where they can test their culinary skills and management ability, while the rest of the university can enjoy fabulous food at great prices!

That's just one of the great choices of places to eat, drink and hang out across Surrey's gorgeous green campus. As well as a wide choice of shops and cafes, there are also facilities like MySurrey Nest, a homely environment where students can rest between study sessions with nap pods and a living room area.

Students looking for something quieter might prefer the Library and Learning Centre, which is open 7 days a week and offers dedicated quiet areas, where students can plug in or switch off.

Student support comes through MySurrey Hive, plus an on-campus medical practice and the Centre for Wellbeing. For those wanting a more active lifestyle, the campus is also home to the Surrey Sports Park, 50-metre swimming pool, 120-station gym, and a host of playing fields and courts.

It's no surprise that so many students love living on the Surrey campus, with so many activities and services at their fingertips. It's possible for many of them, too, with over 6,000 study-bedrooms located right on the campus, with more than half offering en-suite bathrooms too. There are choices to suit all budgets and requirements and students are guaranteed university accommodation in their first year if they meet the relevant application deadlines.

Surrey graduates are employable - The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide for 2022 labelled Surrey University of the Year for Graduate Employment, and over 95 percent of its graduates in work or further study after graduating. That puts Surrey firmly in the UK top ten according to the annual Graduate Outcomes Survey, published by the UK's Higher Education Standards Agency (HESA).

This performance is a combination of talented and hard-working students, and the university's commitment to helping them get the best work experience and careers advice while they are here.

Surrey was the first university in the UK to introduce professional training placements as part of an undergraduate degree. This pioneering approach has paid off, with nearly all undergraduate students at Surrey today benefiting from the opportunity to complete industry placements during their studies. This is a great boost to employability and networking potential, equipping them for professional success.

The university has established relationships with more than 2,300 partner organisations, including well-known companies like Oracle, the Walt Disney Company and Airbus, providing a huge range of placement opportunities. It's easy to see why Surrey has been ranked first in the UK for work placements (National University Employability Awards) for four years in a row.

The university also provides personalised careers support through its careers services. If students have a career path in mind, they can get help on their journey with practical advice and insight into how to get into the profession, along with connections with relevant graduate employers. If learners aren't sure, they also offer support to help them explore the opportunities, including through its digital careers hub, Surrey Pathfinder.