View source for University of Surrey

{{Short description|Public university in Guildford, England}}

{{Infobox university
 | name                   = University of Surrey
 | former_name            = Battersea Polytechnic Institute (1891–1956) <br /> Battersea College of Technology (1956–1966)
 | image                  = University of Surrey coat of arms.svg
 | image_size             = 170px
 | caption                = Coat of arms of the University of Surrey
 | established            = {{Start date and age|1966}} (gained [[Universities in the United Kingdom|university status]])
 | type                   = [[public university|Public]] [[research university]]
 | endowment              = £6.2 million (2023/24)<ref name="Surrey Financial Statement 23/24">{{cite web | url = https://www.surrey.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2024-12/UoS-Annual-Report-2324.pdf | title = Financial Statements for the Year to 31 July 2024 | access-date = 28 August 2025 | publisher = University of Surrey }}</ref>
 | budget                 = £332.7 million (2023/24)<ref name="Surrey Financial Statement 23/24"></ref>
 | chancellor             = [[Prince Edward, Duke of Kent|The Duke of Kent]]<ref name=UniCal>{{cite web | url=http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/calendar/wdw/officers.jsp | title=University of Surrey Calendar | access-date=12 June 2008 | publisher=University of Surrey | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080731192517/http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/calendar/wdw/officers.jsp | archive-date=31 July 2008 | url-status=dead}}</ref>
 | vice_chancellor        = Professor [[Stephen A. Jarvis]]<ref name="Prof Stephen Jarvis - University of Surrey">{{cite web | url=https://www.surrey.ac.uk/people/stephen-jarvis | title=Prof Stephen Jarvis - University of Surrey | access-date=12 September 2025 | publisher=University of Surrey}}</ref>
 | academic_staff         = {{HESA academic staff population|INSTID=10007160}} ({{HESA staff year}})<ref name="HESA staff citation">{{HESA staff citation}}</ref>
 | administrative_staff   = {{HESA non-academic staff population|INSTID=10007160}} ({{HESA staff year}})<ref name="HESA staff citation"/>
 | students               = {{HESA student population|INSTID=10007160}} ({{HESA year}})<ref name="HESA citation">{{HESA citation}}</ref><br/>{{HESA FTE student population|INSTID=10007160}} [[Full-time equivalent|FTE]] ({{HESA year}})<ref name="HESA citation"/>
 | undergrad              = {{HESA undergraduate population|INSTID=10007160}} ({{HESA year}})<ref name="HESA citation"/>
 | postgrad               = {{HESA postgraduate population|INSTID=10007160}} ({{HESA year}})<ref name="HESA citation"/>
 | city                   = [[Guildford, Surrey]]
 | country                = England
 | campus                 = Campus, multiple sites
 | colours                = {{color box|#003d7e}}{{color box|#c3a304}} Blue and gold
 | sports_nickname        = Team Surrey
 | affiliations           = {{hlist|[[Association of Commonwealth Universities|ACU]]|[[Association of MBAs|AMBA]]|[[CESAER]]|[[European University Association|EUA]]|[[SETsquared]]|[[University Global Partnership Network|UGPN]]|[[Universities UK]]}}
 | footnotes              = 
 | website                = {{URL|http://surrey.ac.uk}}
 | coor                   = 
 | logo                   = Uni of Surrey master logo.png
}}
The '''University of Surrey''' is a [[public research university]] in [[Guildford, Surrey]], England. The university received its [[Royal Charter|royal charter]] in 1966, along with a [[Plate glass university|number of other institutions]] following recommendations in the [[Robbins Report]]. The institution was previously known as Battersea College of Technology and was located in [[Battersea Park]], London. Its roots however, go back to Battersea Polytechnic Institute, founded in 1891 to provide [[Vocational education|further]] and [[higher education]] in London, including its poorer inhabitants.<ref name="stroamu">{{cite book |last= Douglas|first= Roy|title= Surrey: the Rise of a Modern University|year= 1991|publisher= Surrey University Press Ltd|location=Guildford |isbn= 1-85237-067-X}}</ref>

The university is a member of the [[Association of MBAs]] and is one of four universities in the [[University Global Partnership Network]]. It is also part of the [[SETsquared]] partnership along with the [[University of Bath]], the [[University of Bristol]], the [[University of Southampton]], and the [[University of Exeter]]. The university's main campus is on [[Stag Hill, University of Surrey|Stag Hill]], close to the centre of Guildford and adjacent to [[Guildford Cathedral]]. [[#Sports facilities|Surrey Sports Park]] is situated at the nearby Manor Park, the university's secondary campus. Among [[List of universities in the United Kingdom|British universities]], the University of Surrey had the 41st highest average [[UCAS Tariff]] for new entrants in 2020.<ref name="CUG Entry"/>

The university holds a number of [[#Educational links|formal links with institutions worldwide]], including the [[DUFE—Surrey International Institute|Surrey International Institute]], launched in partnership with the [[Dongbei University of Finance and Economics]].<ref name="indysurrey">{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/higher/surrey-universitys-new-china-institute-will-help-to-put-it-on-the-international-map-853997.html | title=Surrey University's new China institute will help to put it on the international map | access-date=8 August 2008 | work=[[The Independent]] | location=London | first=Lucy | last=Hodges | date=26 June 2008 | archive-date=6 September 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906210646/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/higher/surrey-universitys-new-china-institute-will-help-to-put-it-on-the-international-map-853997.html | url-status=live }}</ref> The university owns the [[Surrey Research Park]], providing facilities for over 110 companies engaged in research. Surrey has been awarded three [[Queen's Anniversary Prize]]s for its research, with the [[Research Excellence Framework|2021 Research Excellence Framework]] seeing the university rise 12 places to 33rd in the UK for overall research quality and 41% of the university's research outputs classified as "world leading". It was named [[Sunday Times University of the Year|''The Sunday Times'' University of the Year]] in 2016, was nominated again for the same accolade in 2023, and was ''The Sunday Times'' University of the Year for Graduate Employment in 2022.

The [[Chancellor (education)|chancellor]] of the university is [[Prince Edward, Duke of Kent]]. Current and emeritus [[List of University of Surrey academics|academics at the university]] include ten [[Fellows of the Royal Society]], twenty-one Fellows of the [[Royal Academy of Engineering]], one Fellow of the [[British Academy]] and six Fellows of the [[Academy of Learned Societies in the Social Sciences|Academy of Social Sciences]].<ref name="University of Surrey fellows">{{cite web| title=University of Surrey fellows| url=http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/calendar/wdw/fellows.jsp| access-date=8 August 2008| publisher=University of Surrey| archive-date=16 July 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716180825/http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/calendar/wdw/fellows.jsp| url-status=live}}</ref> Surrey has educated [[List of University of Surrey alumni|many notable alumni]], including Olympic gold medallists, several senior politicians, as well as a number of notable persons in various fields including the arts, sports and academia. Graduates typically abbreviate the University of Surrey to ''Sur'' when using [[post-nominal letters]] after their degree.<ref name=OxCalendar>{{cite book|url=https://www.ox.ac.uk/media/global/wwwoxacuk/localsites/gazette/documents/universitycalendar/Calendar_Style_Guide_2015.pdf|title=Calendar Style Guide 2015|publisher=[[University of Oxford]]|date=2015|access-date=16 June 2019|archive-date=20 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820010016/https://www.ox.ac.uk/media/global/wwwoxacuk/localsites/gazette/documents/universitycalendar/Calendar_Style_Guide_2015.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

== History ==

===Foundation and early period===

[[File:University of Surrey at Battersea.jpg|thumb|The university's original [[Battersea]] campus, including its Great Hall]]

The University of Surrey was preceded by the Battersea Polytechnic Institute which was founded in 1891 and admitted its first students in 1894. Its aim was to provide greater access to further and [[higher education]] for Londoners, including some of the city's  "poorer inhabitants". In 1901, evening classes provided instruction in  subjects such as Mechanical Engineering and Building, Electrical Engineering, Chemical and other trades, Physics and Natural Science, Maths, Languages, Commercial subjects, Music and special classes for women including Domestic Economy subjects. Day classes consisted of Art, Science, Women's Subjects and Gymnastics, and classes were also offered in preparation for university and professional examinations. The institute focused on science and technology subjects, and from about 1920 taught [[University of London]] students,<ref name=Pick1>{{cite book |last=Pick |first=Christopher |title=Understanding the Real World |year=2002 |publisher=University of Surrey Press |isbn=1-85237-246-X |url=http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/portal/page?_pageid=764,128643&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |access-date=24 July 2008 |archive-date=9 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080609220923/http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/portal/page?_pageid=764,128643&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |url-status=live }}</ref> awarding University of London external degrees.<ref>{{cite web| title=University of London graduates list| url=http://www.senatehouselibrary.ac.uk/our-collections/historic-collections/archives-manuscripts/university-of-london-student-records-1836-1931/| access-date=4 April 2013| publisher=University of London| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914105055/http://www.shl.lon.ac.uk/specialcollections/archives/studentrecords.shtml| archive-date=14 September 2010}}</ref>

In 1956, the institute was among the first to receive the designation "College of Advanced Technology" and was renamed Battersea College of Technology. By the beginning of the sixties, the college had virtually outgrown its building in Battersea and had decided to move to Guildford. In addition to this, the [[Robbins Report]] of 1963 proposed that the Colleges of Advanced Technology, including Battersea, should expand and become degree-awarding universities.<ref name="Pick1" /> In 1965, the university-designate acquired a greenfield site in Guildford from Guildford Cathedral, [[Guildford (borough)|Guildford Borough]] Council and the [[Onslow Village]] Trust.

===Construction===
The site was first announced on 12 March 1964, to have 3,500 full-time students by 1975. Guildford Borough Council supported the proposal on 31 March 1964.<ref>''Times'' Wednesday April 1 1964, page 12</ref>

A complete model was built by December 1964 of the 83-acre site.<ref>''Times'' Wednesday December 9 1964, page 7</ref> The £4m contract was given to James Longley of Crawley in March 1965, for phase one, of three four-storey academic blocks, seven five-storey residential blocks, the nine-storey Senate House, lecture theatres and restaurant. It was built in only ten months.<ref>''Times'' Tuesday October 8 1968, page 2</ref>

The architect was the Building Design Partnership ([[George Grenfell-Baines]]).<ref>''Times'' Tuesday March 16 1965, page 20</ref> Government planning permission was given on 30 December 1965.<ref>''Times'' Friday December 31 1965, page 12</ref>

In May 1968, James Longley of Crawley were given the £1.75m contract for phase two, with two academic blocks, six residential blocks, a hall, and a restaurant. It was built with the [[Bison industrialised building system]].<ref>''Times'' Thursday May 16 1968, page 29</ref>

===University status{{anchor|University of Surrey Act 1966}}===
[[File:Senate House, AA Building, University of Surrey, Cathedral.jpg|thumb|Stag Hill campus]]

On 9 September 1966 the University of Surrey was established by [[royal charter]].<ref name=Pick1 /> In 1967, on the day before the installation ceremony of the first Chancellor of the university, the [[Aberfan disaster]] occurred. [[Alfred Robens, Baron Robens of Woldingham]] who was appointed the first Chancellor, was also the chairman of the [[National Coal Board]], and as such was expected to visit the site of the disaster. Controversially, in a decision parodied by ''[[Private Eye]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.private-eye.co.uk/covers/cover-140|work=[[Private Eye]]|title=Robens found in attic|date=28 April 1967|access-date=2017-03-10|archive-date=10 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170310211249/http://www.private-eye.co.uk/covers/cover-140|url-status=live}}</ref> Robens continued with the ceremony in Guildford to become Chancellor.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/1999/jun/29/guardianobituaries3|title=Lord Robens of Woldingham|last=Goodman|first=Geoffrey|date=1999-06-28|work=The Guardian|access-date=2017-03-10|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=12 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312082045/https://www.theguardian.com/news/1999/jun/29/guardianobituaries3|url-status=live}}</ref> During this transition period, visitors to the Battersea campus on 25 October 1968 saw [[Led Zeppelin]] perform their very first gig, advertised as being at the university's [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] Great Hall, on Battersea Park Road.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Townshend |first1=Georgina |title=Five world-beating achievements as University of Surrey celebrates 50th anniversary |url=https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/five-world-beating-achievements-university-12005925 |website=Surrey Live |publisher=[[Reach plc]] |access-date=11 May 2020 |date=11 October 2016 |quote=On the evening of 25 October 1968 a band, who were set to make an indelible mark on the world’s musical landscape, performed at the University of Surrey’s Great Hall in Battersea. |archive-date=29 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329190144/https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/five-world-beating-achievements-university-12005925 |url-status=live }}</ref> By 1970 the move from Battersea to Guildford was complete.<ref name=Pick1 />

The university's Battersea Court consists of [[halls of residence]] which were named in honour of the university's Battersea origins.<ref>{{cite book |title=Time & Tide, Volume 52, Issues 7-12 |date=1971 |publisher=Time and Tide |page=41 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qUvhAAAAMAAJ&q=battersea+court+university+of+surrey |access-date=7 May 2020 |quote=Here, Battersea Court....University of Surrey... |archive-date=10 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110100736/https://books.google.com/books?id=qUvhAAAAMAAJ&q=battersea+court+university+of+surrey |url-status=live }}</ref>

Between 1982 and 2008, the university became the trustee of the building of the Guildford Institute, using parts of the building for its adult education programme and providing a university presence in the heart of Guildford. The [[Assessment and Qualifications Alliance]] (formerly Associated Examining Board) moved from [[Aldershot]] to its own headquarters building on the Stag Hill campus in 1985. The university marked its [[Silver Jubilee]] in 1991, an event celebrated by the publishing of ''Surrey – The Rise of a Modern University'' by [[Roy Douglas (academic)|Roy Douglas]]<ref name="stroamu" /> and by a Service of Thanksgiving in Guildford Cathedral attended by HM [[Elizabeth II|The Queen]] in March 1992.

In 1998, due to the ongoing development in the relationship between the university and the nearby Roehampton Institute, it was decided to form an academic federation. In November 1999, the [[Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Council]] approved the necessary changes to the university's Charter and Statutes and the Roehampton Institute became the University of Surrey Roehampton at the beginning of 2000. Between 2000 and 2004, the university and Roehampton worked together as the [[Federal University of Surrey]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roehampton.ac.uk/digby/history/index.html|title=Digby Stuart College history|publisher=[[Roehampton University]]|access-date=8 August 2008|archive-date=17 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217021247/http://roehampton.ac.uk/digby/history/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2004, the [[Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Council]] granted Roehampton an independent university title, and it became [[Roehampton University]] from 1 August 2004, ending the partnership between the institutions.

The university celebrated its 35th anniversary in May 2002 with a major event in Guildford Cathedral. It was also marked by the unveiling of ''The Surrey Scholar'' sculpture (by Allan Sly FBS) to mark the [[Golden Jubilee]] of Her Majesty The Queen and as a gift to the people of Guildford. ''The Surrey Scholar'' is at the bottom of Guildford High Street. ''Understanding the Real World'', a visual history of the university, by Christopher Pick, was published to coincide with this anniversary.<ref name="Pick1" /> In 2007, the university saw a major increase in overall applications by 39% compared with the previous year.<ref>{{cite news | title=BBC News: Are top-up fees changing courses? | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/6360629.stm | date=14 February 2007 | access-date=16 April 2007 | work=BBC News | archive-date=24 February 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224010948/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/6360629.stm | url-status=live }}</ref> This was followed by a further increase in applications of 12% in 2008.<ref>{{cite web| title=University of Surrey sees highest growth in applications| url=http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/portal/page?_pageid=799,1894672&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL| access-date=7 August 2008| publisher=University of Surrey| archive-date=28 February 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228030555/http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/portal/page?_pageid=799,1894672&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL| url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2008, the university lost out to [[Royal Holloway]] in a bid to merge with London medical institute [[St George's, University of London]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.surreyherald.co.uk/surrey-news/news-surrey/2008/10/13/college-could-merge-with-a-london-university-54472-22023593/|title=College could merge with a London university|work=The Surrey Herald|date=13 October 2008|access-date=20 October 2008|archive-date=21 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721221751/http://www.surreyherald.co.uk/surrey-news/news-surrey/2008/10/13/college-could-merge-with-a-london-university-54472-22023593/|url-status=live}}</ref> From September 2009, the [[Guildford School of Acting]] became a subsidiary of the university and relocated from Guildford town centre to the university campus.

In March 2019 the university announced it would have to make £15m worth of cuts owing to the effects of [[Brexit]] and anticipated cuts in tuition fees, and was offering redundancy to all staff.<ref>{{cite news |title=Surrey University makes £15m cuts and offers redundancy to all staff |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-47419418 |access-date=2 March 2019 |date=March 2019 |archive-date=1 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301210439/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-47419418 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the announcement, ''[[The Stag (magazine)|The Stag]]'', published an article titled 'Paygate: The Problem with Surrey's Vice-Chancellor', in which it compared Vice-Chancellor [[Max Lu]]'s "performance-related bonuses" to the university's actual performance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestagsurrey.co.uk/paygate/|title=Paygate: The Problem with Surrey's Vice-Chancellor|date=2019-02-21|website=The Stag Surrey|access-date=2019-03-09|archive-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327222005/https://www.thestagsurrey.co.uk/paygate/|url-status=live |last1=Cousins |first1=Francis }}</ref> Soon after, in May 2019, staff and students held a [[no confidence vote]] against the university management, with coverage largely focused on Lu's leadership.<ref name=getsurrey>{{cite web|url=https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/university-surrey-staff-students-stage-16273520|title=University of Surrey staff and students stage no-confidence vote over staff and budget cuts|date=16 May 2019|access-date=9 June 2019|archive-date=22 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522111108/https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/university-surrey-staff-students-stage-16273520|url-status=live}}</ref> Of all the unionised staff who voted, 96% gave a vote of no confidence in "the Vice-Chancellor and Executive Board".<ref name=ucu>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/10090/Damning-vote-of-no-confidence-in-University-of-Surrey-vice-chancellor|title=Damning vote of no confidence in University of Surrey vice-chancellor|website=www.ucu.org.uk|language=en-gb|access-date=2019-05-17|archive-date=11 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611231350/https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/10090/Damning-vote-of-no-confidence-in-University-of-Surrey-vice-chancellor|url-status=live}}</ref> The all-staff vote was approved by all three trade unions represented at the university, in a meeting held with the largest member attendance seen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://surrey-ucu.org.uk/university-of-surrey-all-staff-vote-of-no-confidence-in-the-vice-chancellor-and-the-executive-board/|title=UNIVERSITY OF SURREY ALL-STAFF VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN THE VICE-CHANCELLOR AND THE EXECUTIVE BOARD|date=7 May 2019|access-date=9 June 2019|archive-date=17 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517205445/http://surrey-ucu.org.uk/university-of-surrey-all-staff-vote-of-no-confidence-in-the-vice-chancellor-and-the-executive-board/|url-status=live}}</ref> Concerns raised by staff specifically include "Lu's language which suggests staff are a cost rather than an asset", according to the [[University and College Union]], while the Students' Union was specifically concerned about the closure of many arts courses at the university despite a "healthy" number of applications for them.<ref name=ucu/> Students who wanted a "no" vote hoped this result would make the university management "engage with staff and students and discuss changes".<ref name=getsurrey/>

==Buildings and sites==
{{see also|Stag Hill, University of Surrey}}

<gallery class="center" widths="175">
Surrey Sports Park.jpg|Surrey Sports Park, opened in 2010 to replace the former university sport facilities.
UniSSoM.jpg|The School of Management Building with the statue of [[Alan Turing]] in the middle distance.
UniSManorPark.jpg|Student accommodation has been developed at Manor Park.
Universität Surrey.jpg|[[Guildford Cathedral]] overlooks Stag Hill campus.
</gallery>

===Main sites===

The university began moving in 1968 to a new {{convert|30|ha|acre|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} site on Stag Hill in Guildford, adjacent to Guildford Cathedral. Students continued to alternate between the original [[Battersea]] campus and the new Guildford campus until 1970.<ref>{{cite web |title=1968 - Battersea, UK Surrey University - Great Hall |url=https://www.ledzeppelin.com/show/october-25-1968 |publisher=Led Zeppelin.com |access-date=7 May 2020 |date=2009 |quote=The new campus was being built in Guildford and in 1968 the University became a 'split personality' when half of the departments moved to Guildford for the start of that academic year! My department remained in Battersea, and this second half then moved to Guildford in 1969. |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807101440/https://www.ledzeppelin.com/show/october-25-1968 |url-status=live }}</ref> A further {{convert|90|ha|acre|0|abbr=on}} allocated to the university remained undeveloped until 2005. The BBC's local radio station for Surrey and North-East Hampshire, [[BBC Surrey]], has its studios on the campus.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/southerncounties/local_radio/ | title=BBC Sussex & BBC Surrey website | access-date=16 April 2007 | publisher=BBC | archive-date=4 July 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704010335/http://www.bbc.co.uk/southerncounties/local_radio/ | url-status=live }}</ref> In addition the university has a student-run medium wave radio station, ''[[Stag Radio]]''. In September 2009, the [[Guildford School of Acting]] moved into a new purpose-built facility on the main Stag Hill campus as part of a strategic merger between the two organisations. The old Sports Centre was converted into the Ivy Arts Centre, a performing arts facility housing a 200-seat theatre and studio and workshop space. In October 2015, the £45m School of Veterinary Medicine was opened by the Queen accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh. The new Manor Park campus, designed as a car-free village, is {{convert|1.6|km|mi|0}} from the Stag Hill campus and on the other side of the [[A3 road|A3 trunk road]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/portal/page?_pageid=909,337717&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL| title = University of Surrey Accommodation Services: Band D Rooms| access-date = 7 August 2008| publisher = University of Surrey| archive-date = 1 October 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081001002250/http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/portal/page?_pageid=909,337717&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL| url-status = live}}</ref> It combines residences for students and staff, buildings for research and teaching, and sporting facilities.

===Sports facilities===

In April 2010, a £36&nbsp;million [[sports centre]] named the Surrey Sports Park opened to replace the former UniSport facilities on the Stag Hill Campus.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/portal/page?_pageid=799,2094756&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL | title=Under starter's orders, University of Surrey press release | access-date=6 August 2008 | publisher=University of Surrey | archive-date=16 July 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716180815/http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/portal/page?_pageid=799,2094756&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL | url-status=live }}</ref> Surrey Sports Park is situated close to the main University campus, on its Manor Park site. It houses a 50-metre swimming pool, three multi-sports halls, six squash courts, a modern gym, three artificial floodlit pitches, outdoor tennis courts, a climbing centre and a coffee shop, bar and restaurant.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/higher/which-is-the-best-university-for-sport-844778.html | title=Which is the best university for sport? | access-date=13 June 2008 | work=The Independent | location=London | first=Lucy | last=Hodges | date=12 June 2008 | archive-date=9 February 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209184233/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/higher/which-is-the-best-university-for-sport-844778.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

The 1,000 seat indoor arena is home to [[Surrey Scorchers]] basketball team (formerly Guildford Heat, Surrey Heat and Surrey United), who have been using the venue since 2010 following a move from their previous home at [[Guildford Spectrum]]. Surrey Scorchers are one of the leading teams and former winners of the [[British Basketball League]], the country's top division. It also plays host to [[Surrey Storm]] netball (formerly Brunel Hurricanes), who also made the move to the Sports Park from Guildford Spectrum in 2010. Surrey Storm are two-time Netball Superleague champions, securing their last title with a 55–53 win over [[Manchester Thunder]] at London's [[Copper Box Arena]] in the [[2016 Netball Superleague Grand Final|2016 Grand Final]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/netball/news/12415/10273474/surrey-storm-beat-manchester-thunder-win-netball-superleague|title=Surrey Storm beat Manchester Thunder to win Netball Superleague|date=8 May 2016|work=Sky Sports|access-date=6 March 2019|archive-date=15 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415014247/https://www.skysports.com/netball/news/12415/10273474/surrey-storm-beat-manchester-thunder-win-netball-superleague|url-status=live}}</ref> It played host to all but four matches of the [[2010 Women's Rugby World Cup]] (the semi-finals, third place play off and final were held at the [[Twickenham Stoop]]). It is also the official training facility for [[Harlequin F.C.|Harlequins]] rugby club, playing host to their Men's and Women's first teams plus Academy fixtures, and was used as a training base for the [[2015 Rugby World Cup]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/surrey-venues-host-2015-rugby-7704716|title=Surrey venues to host 2015 Rugby World Cup teams|date=2 September 2014|work=Get Surrey|access-date=6 March 2019|archive-date=6 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306235043/https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/surrey-venues-host-2015-rugby-7704716|url-status=live}}</ref> hosting a number of teams including South Africa, Scotland and Italy.

2012 saw Surrey Sports Park host a number of Olympic and Paralympic teams in preparation for the [[2012 Summer Olympics|London 2012 Olympic Games]], including delegations from across the globe for swimming, table tennis, basketball and triathlon camps.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-11548910|title=Olympic team to be based at Surrey Sports Park|date=2010-10-15|work=BBC News|access-date=6 March 2019|archive-date=6 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306235708/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-11548910|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, Surrey Sports Park hosted the annual [[Danone Nations Cup]] junior football tournament, with fixtures being played on the outdoor pitches through to the finals at [[Wembley Stadium]]. In 2017, Surrey Sports Park hosted the [[2017 Women's Lacrosse World Cup|Women's Lacrosse World Cup]], with over 25 nations competing for the world title in Guildford. All matches took place at the venue, including the finals, with a temporary outdoor stadium erected for the 10-day event.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/guildford-womens-lacrosse-world-cup--13325543|title=Women's Lacrosse World Cup gets under way in Guildford with royal opening ceremony|date=2017-07-13|work=Get Surrey|access-date=6 March 2019|archive-date=6 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306235000/https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/guildford-womens-lacrosse-world-cup--13325543|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Organisation ==
=== Structure ===
The academic activities of the university are divided into the following three [[faculty (division)|faculties]]:
{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
;Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences
* School of Economics 
* School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
* School of Law
* School of Literature and Languages
* Department of Music and Media
* Department of Politics
* Department of Sociology
* Surrey Business School
* Guildford School of Acting
{{col-3}}
;Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
* Department of Chemistry
* Department of Chemical and Process Engineering
* Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
* Department of Computer Science
* Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
* Department of Mathematics
* Department of Mechanical Engineering Sciences 
* Department of Physics 
* Centre for Environment and Sustainability
{{col-3}}
;Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
* School of Biosciences
* School of Health Sciences
* School of Medicine
* School of Psychology
* School of Veterinary Medicine 
{{col-3}}
{{col-end}}

===Governance===
[[File:Surrey-dk-building.jpg|thumb|right|The Duke of Kent Building houses much of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences]]
[[Prince Edward, Duke of Kent]] was installed as [[Chancellor (education)|Chancellor]], a ceremonial non-residential post, in 1977. The university is led at the executive level by the President and Vice-Chancellor, {{As of|2016|lc=y}} [[Max Lu]]. The key bodies in the university governance structure are the council, Senate and executive board.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.surrey.ac.uk/about/governance|title=Governance - University of Surrey|website=www.surrey.ac.uk|access-date=17 January 2017|archive-date=2 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202155758/https://www.surrey.ac.uk/about/governance|url-status=live}}</ref> The council is the governing body of the university, responsible for the overall planning and management of the university and to ensure processes are in place to monitor financial and operational controls, and the university's performance against its strategy. The council is composed of no fewer than eleven external members, up to seven ex-officio members and up to three members elected by Senate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.surrey.ac.uk/about/governance/members-council|title=Members of Council - University of Surrey|website=www.surrey.ac.uk|access-date=17 January 2017|archive-date=18 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118052632/http://www.surrey.ac.uk/about/governance/members-council|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Senate is the statutory body responsible for governing the university's academic matters, including teaching and research, and the regulation and direction of the education and conduct of students. The composition of the Senate is drawn from the academic staff of the university, together with a number of ex-officio, elected and co-opted members. The Chair of the Senate is the President and Vice-Chancellor of the university.<ref name="University of Surrey website">{{cite web|url=http://www.surrey.ac.uk/about/governance/statutory-bodies-committees|title=Statutory bodies and committees - University of Surrey|website=www.surrey.ac.uk|access-date=17 January 2017|archive-date=18 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118052635/http://www.surrey.ac.uk/about/governance/statutory-bodies-committees|url-status=live}}</ref> The executive board is the senior advisory body that assists the President and Vice-Chancellor in discharging his executive authority to manage the operations and affairs of the university. It is responsible for advising on all matters relating to the university's strategy and for making recommendations to Council for approval.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.surrey.ac.uk/about/management-and-strategy/executive-board|title=Executive Board - University of Surrey|website=www.surrey.ac.uk|access-date=17 January 2017|archive-date=25 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225020343/http://www.surrey.ac.uk/about/management-and-strategy/executive-board|url-status=live}}</ref> The above Bodies are supported by a series of Committees that oversee the activities of distinctive administrative and academic areas of the university.<ref name="University of Surrey website"/>

On 3 December 2015 it was announced that [[Max Lu]] would become the university's fifth President and Vice-Chancellor, taking up his appointment in April 2016.<ref>[https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/university-surrey-appoints-china-born-nanotechnologist-next-v-c] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330105549/https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/university-surrey-appoints-china-born-nanotechnologist-next-v-c|date=30 March 2016}} Times Higher Education</ref> He succeeded Sir [[Christopher Snowden]] who moved to take up the Vice-Chancellorship at the [[University of Southampton]] in September 2015.<ref>[http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/11870329.Southampton_university_appoints_new_vice_chancellor/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327020443/http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/11870329.Southampton_university_appoints_new_vice_chancellor/|date=27 March 2016}} Daily Echo</ref> Sir Christopher joined Surrey on 1 July 2005. His predecessors are [[Patrick J. Dowling]] (1994–2005), Anthony Kelly (1975–1994)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.surrey.ac.uk/features/death-former-surrey-vc-professor-anthony-kelly|title=Death of former Surrey VC Professor Anthony Kelly - University of Surrey|website=www.surrey.ac.uk|access-date=7 October 2018|archive-date=7 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007225251/https://www.surrey.ac.uk/features/death-former-surrey-vc-professor-anthony-kelly|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Peter Leggett]], the last Principal of Battersea College of Technology<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.surrey.ac.uk/content/battersea-college-technology|title=University of Surrey website|work=University of Surrey - Guildford |access-date=17 January 2017|archive-date=18 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118052228/http://www.surrey.ac.uk/content/battersea-college-technology|url-status=live}}</ref> and the university's first Vice-Chancellor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.surrey.ac.uk/files/pdf/chapter1.PDF|title=University of Surrey website|access-date=17 January 2017|archive-date=8 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508175704/http://www.surrey.ac.uk/files/pdf/chapter1.PDF|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Educational links ===
Since its foundation, the university has fostered links with other educational bodies in the local community and region. The university currently validates undergraduate courses at [[Farnborough College of Technology]] and postgraduate research programmes at [[St Mary's University, Twickenham]]<ref>{{cite web|title=History of St Mary's |url=http://www.smuc.ac.uk/about/history.htm |access-date=8 August 2008 |publisher=St Mary's University College |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907030830/http://www.smuc.ac.uk/about/history.htm |archive-date=7 September 2008 }}</ref> for students entering prior to August 2014.

In 2007, the university and [[Dongbei University of Finance and Economics]] in [[Dalian]], China, launched the Surrey International Institute, DUFE.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.surrey.dufe.edu.cn |title=东北财经大学萨里国际学院 |publisher=Surrey.dufe.edu.cn |date=26 January 2010 |access-date=29 April 2010 |archive-date=21 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021201107/http://www.surrey.dufe.edu.cn/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The SII at DUFE offers Surrey degrees and dual-degree programmes in China.<ref name="indysurrey" /> A placement year link with [[North Carolina State University]] was initiated in 2009, where each institution places students from the other with companies located nearby, in the South East of England and the Carolinas, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.surrey.ac.uk/professional-training/why-go|title=Why go? - University of Surrey|website=www.surrey.ac.uk|access-date=10 February 2018|archive-date=10 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210062210/https://www.surrey.ac.uk/professional-training/why-go|url-status=live}}</ref>

The university holds a number of formal links with institutions from around the world to share teaching and research and facilitate staff and student exchanges.<ref>{{cite web|title=University of Surrey: Partner universities|url=http://www2.surrey.ac.uk/internationalrelations/partners/|access-date=15 August 2009|publisher=The University of Surrey|archive-date=18 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218052958/http://www.surrey.ac.uk/internationalrelations/partners/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[University of São Paulo]], Brazil
* {{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Seoul National University]], South Korea
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[University of Central Florida]], USA
* {{PAK|Pakistan}} [[University of Punjab]]
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[North Carolina State University]], USA
* {{flagicon|China}} The [[DUFE—Surrey International Institute]] (东北财经大学萨里国际学院) is an academic partnership with the [[Dongbei University of Finance and Economics]] in [[Dalian]], China
* {{flagicon|Hong Kong}} [[University of Hong Kong]]
* {{flagicon|Singapore}} [[Nanyang Technological University]]
* {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[National Autonomous University of Mexico]] Head Associate; Diego Luiz.
* {{flagicon|Austria}} [[Modul University Vienna]], Austria<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.modul.ac.at/de/study-at-mu/study-abroad-program/outgoing/partner-universities/|title=Error 404|website=MODUL University Vienna|access-date=9 May 2014|archive-date=9 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209120322/http://www.modul.ac.at/de/study-at-mu/study-abroad-program/outgoing/partner-universities/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Academic profile ==

=== Research ===
[[File:UniSAustinPearce.jpg|thumb|right|The Austin Pearce Building]]
The university conducts extensive research on small satellites, with its Surrey Space Centre and spin-off commercial company, [[Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd]]. In the 2001 [[Research Assessment Exercise]], the University of Surrey received a 5* rating in the categories of "[[Sociology]]", "Other Studies and Professions Allied to Medicine", and "Electrical and [[Electronic Engineering]]"
and a 5* rating in the categories of "[[Psychology]]", "[[Physics]]", "Applied [[Mathematics]]", "Statistics and Operational Research", "European Studies" and "Russian, Slavonic and East European Languages".<ref name="raesurrey">{{cite web | url=http://www.hero.ac.uk/rae/rae_dynamic.cfm?myURL=http://195.194.167.103/submissions/UoA.asp?HESAInst=H-0161 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322092527/http://www.hero.ac.uk/rae/rae_dynamic.cfm?myURL=http%3A%2F%2F195.194.167.103%2Fsubmissions%2FUoA.asp%3FHESAInst%3DH-0161 | url-status=dead | archive-date=22 March 2009 | title=HERO – Higher Education & Research Opportunities in the UK: RAE 2001 : Submissions | publisher=Higher Education and Research Opportunities in the UK | access-date=1 June 2007 }}</ref>

The 5G Innovation Centre (5GIC) at the University of Surrey opened in September 2015, for the purpose of research for the development of the first worldwide 5G network. It has gained over £40m support from international telecommunications companies including [[Aeroflex]], [[Objective Systems Integrators|MYCOM OSI]], [[BBC]], [[BT Group]], [[EE (telecommunications)|EE]], [[Fujitsu]] Laboratories of Europe, [[Huawei]], [[Ofcom]], [[Rohde & Schwarz]], [[Samsung]], [[Telefonica]] and [[Vodafone]] – and a further £11.6m from the [[Higher Education Funding Council for England]] (HEFCE).

In addition, the [[Surrey Research Park]] is a {{convert|28|ha|acre|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} low density development which is owned and developed by the university, providing large landscaped areas with water features and facilities for over 110 companies engaged in a broad spectrum of research, development and design activities. The university generates the third highest endowment income out of all UK universities "reflecting its commercially-orientated heritage."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.red-scientific.co.uk/university-of-surrey | title=RED Scientific | access-date=7 August 2008 | publisher=RED Scientific Limited | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929013834/http://www.red-scientific.co.uk/university-of-surrey | archive-date=29 September 2007 | url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Admissions ===
{| class="floatright"
| 
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%; text-align:center; margin-bottom: 5px"
|+UCAS Admission Statistics
!
!2024
!2023
!2022
!2021
!2020
|-
| '''Applications'''{{efn-lg|name=mainscheme}}<ref name=UCASEoC>{{cite web |title=UCAS Undergraduate Sector-Level End of Cycle Data Resources 2024 |url=https://www.ucas.com/data-and-analysis/undergraduate-statistics-and-reports/ucas-undergraduate-end-cycle-data-resources-2024 |at=Show me... Domicile by Provider |website=ucas.com |date=December 2024 |publisher=UCAS |access-date=7 February 2025}}</ref>
| 31,265
| 29,230
| 27,260
| 29,125
| 29,805
|-
| '''Accepted'''{{efn-lg|name=mainscheme}}<ref name=UCASEoC/>
| 4,525
| 4,140
| 3,370
| 3,300
| 3,170
|-
| '''Applications/Accepted Ratio'''{{efn-lg|name=mainscheme}}
| 6.9
| 7.1
| 8.1
| 8.8
| 9.4
|-
| '''Offer Rate (%)'''{{efn-lg|name=ukjune}}<ref name="UCAS Offer Rate">{{cite web|title=2024 entry UCAS Undergraduate reports by sex, area background, and ethnic group|date=7 February 2025|url=https://www.ucas.com/data-and-analysis/undergraduate-statistics-and-reports/ucas-undergraduate-end-cycle-data-resources-2024/2024-entry-ucas-undergraduate-reports-sex-area-background-and-ethnic-group|publisher=[[UCAS]]|access-date=7 February 2025}}</ref>
| 68.8
| 65.3
| 61.9
| 64.5
| 63.8
|-
| '''[[UCAS Tariff|Average Entry Tariff]]'''<ref name="CUG Entry">{{Cite web | url=https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings?tabletype=full-table&sortby=entry-standards | title=University League Tables entry standards 2026 |work=The Complete University Guide}}</ref>
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
| 137
| 143
| 143
|}
{| style="font-size:80%;float:left"
|{{notelist-lg|refs=
{{efn-lg|name=mainscheme|Main scheme applications, International and UK}}
{{efn-lg|name=ukjune|UK domiciled applicants only}}
}}
|}
|}
{| class="wikitable floatright sortable collapsible mw-collapsible"; style="font-size:85%; text-align:right;"
|+ class="nowrap" |HESA Student Body Composition (2023/24)
|-
!Domicile<ref name="Table 1">{{cite web|url=https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/students/table-1|title=HE student enrolments by HE provider, permanent address, level of study, mode of study, entrant marker, sex and academic year|publisher=[[Higher Education Statistics Agency|HESA]]|access-date=3 April 2025}}</ref> and Ethnicity<ref name="HESA ethnicity">{{cite web|url=https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/students/whos-in-he/characteristics|title=Who's studying in HE?: Personal characteristics|date=3 April 2025|publisher=[[Higher Education Statistics Agency|HESA]]|access-date=3 April 2025}}</ref>
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total
|-
|[[White people in the United Kingdom|British White]]{{efn|Not be confused solely with [[White British]]}}
|align=right| {{bartable|46|%|2||background:red}}
|-
|[[Classification of ethnicity in the United Kingdom#Collective terms for minority ethnic groups|British Ethnic Minorities]]{{efn|Includes those who indicate that they identify as [[British Asian|Asian]], [[Black British people|Black]], [[Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed Heritage]], [[British Arabs|Arab]] or any other ethnicity except White.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|30|%|2||background:green}}
|-
|[[European Union|International EU]]
|align=right| {{bartable|3|%|2||background:blue}}
|-
|[[International students in the United Kingdom|International Non-EU]]
|align=right| {{bartable|21|%|2||background:gray}}
|-
! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |Undergraduate [[Widening participation|Widening Participation]] Indicators<ref name="Table 1"/><ref name="Times25">{{cite web |date=24 September 2024 |title=Good University Guide: Social Inclusion Ranking |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk-university-rankings/league-table |work=[[The Times]]}}</ref>
|-
|[[Feminism in the United Kingdom#Education|Female]]
|align=right| {{bartable|54|%|2||background:purple}}
|-
|[[Private schools in the United Kingdom|Independent School]]
|align=right| {{bartable|8|%|2||background:orange}}
|-
|Low Participation Areas{{efn|Calculated from the Polar4 measure, using Quintile1, in England and Wales. Calculated from the [[Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation]] (SIMD) measure, using SIMD20, in Scotland.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|7|%|2||background:black}}
|}
New students entering the university in 2015 had the 14th highest UCAS Points in the UK at 438 points (the equivalent of AAB at A Level and BB at AS Level).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings?o=Entry+Standards|title=University League Table 2018|publisher=Complete University Guide|access-date=26 April 2017|archive-date=27 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427003846/https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings?o=Entry+Standards|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the 2017 ''Times'' and ''Sunday Times'' Good University Guide, approximately 8% of Surrey's undergraduates come from independent schools.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://extras.thetimes.co.uk/gooduniversityguide/institutions/ |title= The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017 |work= [[Rankings of universities in the United Kingdom|The Good University Guide]] |location= London |access-date= 16 August 2016 |archive-date= 29 November 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221129125021/https://extras.thetimes.co.uk/gooduniversityguide/institutions/ |url-status= dead }}{{subscription required}}</ref>

For the 2016–17 academic year, the university has a higher proportion of female than male students with a male to female ratio of 45:55 in the population. The undergraduate student body is composed of 73% from the UK, 11% from the EU and 16% from outside of the EU.<ref>{{cite web|title=R40 Student Key Facts: University of Surrey 2016-17 Academic Year|url=https://www.surrey.ac.uk/sites/default/files/R40_Student_Key_Facts_2016_17_all.pdf|publisher=University of Surrey|access-date=26 April 2017|archive-date=27 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427102205/https://www.surrey.ac.uk/sites/default/files/R40_Student_Key_Facts_2016_17_all.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> More students graduate from Surrey with a First Class Honours degree (44.4%) than with a 2:1 degree (40.9%), placing it second amongst mainstream British universities by the proportion of First Class degrees awarded.<ref>{{cite news|title=Universities with biggest shares of 2:1s and firsts revealed|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/universities-biggest-shares-21s-and-firsts-revealed|access-date=9 February 2018|work=Times Higher Education|archive-date=9 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209041316/https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/universities-biggest-shares-21s-and-firsts-revealed|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Reputation and rankings ===
{{Infobox UK university rankings
| ARWU_N = 32–35
| ARWU_W = 401–500
| QS_N = 33
| QS_W = 262=
| THE_N = 35
| THE_W = 201–250
| LINE_1 = 0
| Complete = 20
| The_Guardian = 19
| Times/Sunday_Times = 21
| Daily Mail = 18
| LINE_2 = 0
| TEF = Gold
}}
[[File:Surrey 10 Years.png|thumb|right|upright=1.2|University of Surrey's [[Rankings of universities in the United Kingdom|national league table]] performance over the past ten years]]
The university has consistently been in the top 20 of the three main [[Rankings of universities in the United Kingdom|ranking compilations]] of [[universities in the United Kingdom]], placing it 21st in ''The Times and Sunday Times'', 12th in ''The Good University Guide'' and the ''Complete University Guide'', and 19th in ''The Guardian University Guide'' for 2024.<ref name="surrey.ac.uk">{{Cite web|url=https://www.surrey.ac.uk/about/facts/rankings-league-tables|title=Rankings and league tables {{!}} University of Surrey|website=www.surrey.ac.uk|access-date=2019-06-14|archive-date=21 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221000014/https://www.surrey.ac.uk/about/facts/rankings-league-tables|url-status=live}}</ref> International rankings have seen a steady improvement over the past five years. Subjects ranked in the top 20 include Hospitality & Leisure Management and Petroleum engineering.<ref name="University of Surrey Rankings and League Tables">{{cite news|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/subject-rankings/2020|title=QS World University Rankings by Subject|access-date=26 September 2016|publisher=University of Surrey|location=Guildford|archive-date=29 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329221134/http://www.topuniversities.com/subject-rankings|url-status=live}}</ref> The university was ranked seventh in the ''Times Higher Education'' Student Experience Survey 2018.<ref name="surrey.ac.uk"/> In 2019, Surrey was ranked 161-170th in the [[QS World University Rankings#QS Graduate Employability Rankings|QS World Employability Rankings]], and first in the UK and 12th in the world for research partnerships with employers .<ref>{{cite web |title=University of Surrey |url=https://www.whatuni.com/university-profile/university-of-surrey/3765/ |website=whatuni.com |publisher=What Uni? |access-date=20 June 2019 |archive-date=20 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620225522/https://www.whatuni.com/university-profile/university-of-surrey/3765/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Graduate Employability Rankings 2020 |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/employability-rankings/2020 |website=topuniversities.com |publisher=Top Universities |access-date=20 June 2019 |date=6 September 2018 |archive-date=23 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623213816/https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/employability-rankings/2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1991 the university was granted the [[Queen's Award for Export Achievement]],<ref name="Pick1" /> and in 1996 was awarded a [[Queen's Anniversary Prize]] for Higher & Further Education in recognition of the university's outstanding achievement in satellite engineering and communications, teaching and research by the Centre for Satellite Engineering Research and associated companies.<ref name="qprize">{{cite web | url =http://www.royalanniversarytrust.org.uk/index.php?article_id=7 | title = The Queen's Prizes for Higher & Further Education – Engineering & Technology winners| access-date=8 August 2008 | publisher = The Royal Anniversary Trust |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080405205304/http://www.royalanniversarytrust.org.uk/index.php?article_id=7 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 5 April 2008}}</ref> In 1998, [[Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd]] was awarded the [[Queen's Award for Technological Achievement]], presented in person by the Queen on her second visit to the university, accompanied by the [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|Duke of Edinburgh]] and the [[Prince Edward, Duke of Kent|Duke of Kent]], chancellor of the university.<ref>{{cite web| title=SSTL celebrates 15 years in business| url=http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=2032| access-date=8 August 2008| publisher=Spaceref.com| archive-date=10 November 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110100736/http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=2032| url-status=live}}</ref>

The university was awarded a 2002 [[Queen's Anniversary Prize]] for Higher & Further Education for its research and development on [[optoelectronic devices]] and [[ion beam]] applications.<ref name="qprize" /> In July 2007, the university was awarded [[Fairtrade University]] status by the [[Fairtrade Foundation]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Fairtrade Universities| url=http://peopleandplanet.org/ftunis| access-date=8 August 2008| publisher=[[People & Planet]]| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820093624/http://www.peopleandplanet.org/ftunis| archive-date=20 August 2008| url-status=dead}}</ref> The university won a 2011 [[Queen's Anniversary Prize]] for Higher & Further Education for its research into the fields of safe water and sanitation.<ref>{{cite web| title=University of Surrey Queens Anniversary Prize| url=http://www3.surrey.ac.uk/qap/| access-date=27 January 2012| publisher=University of Surrey| archive-date=5 February 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205025740/http://www3.surrey.ac.uk/qap/| url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, the [[Electronic Engineering]] Department of the university won the 2013 [[Electronics Weekly#Elektra Awards|Elektra Award]] University Department of the Year,<ref>{{cite web| title=Congratulations to the 2013 Winners!| url=http://www.elektraawards.co.uk/elektraawards2014/2013-winners| access-date=23 July 2014| publisher=Elektra Awards| archive-date=19 July 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719160658/http://www.elektraawards.co.uk/elektraawards2014/2013-winners| url-status=live}}</ref> and judged to be the most innovative and successful in Europe.<ref>{{cite web| title=Electronic Engineering Department wins Elektra Awards 2013| url= http://www.surrey.ac.uk/ati/news/stories/ati_only/2013/116342_electronic_engineering_department_wins_elektra_awards_2013.htm| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228185553/http://www.surrey.ac.uk/ati/news/stories/ati_only/2013/116342_electronic_engineering_department_wins_elektra_awards_2013.htm|date=29 November 2013|archive-date=28 December 2014| publisher=University of Surrey}}</ref> The university won ''The Sunday Times'' University of the Year award 2016.<ref>{{cite newspaper The Times |last= McCall |first= Alastair |date= 20 September 2015 |title= The Times and The Sunday Times University of the Year: University of Surrey |url= https://www.thetimes.com/uk/science/article/the-times-and-the-sunday-times-university-of-the-year-university-of-surrey-wf89csj28zx }}</ref> The university won a 2017 [[Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher & Further Education]] for "Leading research and teaching in food and nutrition informing public policy on diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis and other dietary related issues".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.royalanniversarytrust.org.uk/news/round-twelve-prize-winners-were-honoured-at-an-awards-ceremony-at-buckingham-palace-on-22nd-february-2018|title=Round Twelve Prize-winners were honoured at an awards ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 22nd February 2018|website=www.royalanniversarytrust.org.uk|access-date=2019-02-27|archive-date=27 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227182246/http://www.royalanniversarytrust.org.uk/news/round-twelve-prize-winners-were-honoured-at-an-awards-ceremony-at-buckingham-palace-on-22nd-february-2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Notable academics and alumni ==

===Notable alumni===
{{main|List of University of Surrey alumni}}
<gallery class="center">
File:Prof Jim Al-Khalili - EdSciFest 2014 (10).JPG|Theoretical physicist [[Jim Al-Khalili]] (BSc, 1986; PhD, 1989)
File:Hassan Diab, Beirut 2020 (cropped).jpg|Former Prime Minister of Lebanon [[Hassan Diab]] (MSc, 1983)
File:Ameenah Gurib-Fakim.jpg|Former President of Mauritius [[Ameenah Gurib]] (BSc, 1983)
File:Official portrait of Lord O'Neill of Gatley crop 2.jpg|Crossbench peer [[Jim O'Neill, Baron O'Neill of Gatley]] (PhD, 1982)
File:Linda Papadopoulos.jpg|Psychologist [[Linda Papadopoulos]] (MSc)
File:John A Pickett.jpg|Wolf Prize in Agriculture laureate [[John A. Pickett|John Pickett]] (BSc, 1967; PhD, 1971)
File:Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Feb 13, 2024 01 (cropped).jpg|Former Prime Minister of Thailand [[Paetongtarn Shinawatra]] (MSc)
File:Swinburne,_Kay-2652.jpg|Conservative peer [[Kay Swinburne, Baroness Swinburne]] (MBA)<ref>{{cite news |title=EU elections 2019: All you need to know about the vote in Wales |work=BBC News |date=21 May 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-47948545 |access-date=27 December 2019 |archive-date=19 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619144112/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-47948545 |url-status=live }}</ref>
File:Marion Williams (cropped).jpg|Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados [[Marion Vernese Williams]] (PhD, 1995)
File:George_Young_Minister.jpg|Conservative peer [[Sir George Young|George Young, Baron Young of Cookham]] (MPhil, 1974)
</gallery>

===Notable academics===
{{main|List of University of Surrey academics}}
Academics to work at the university include [[Alf Adams]], pioneer of the [[strained quantum-well laser]];<ref name="The Independent">{{cite news| title=The Independent: A celebration of science in the UK: 10 Britons who shaped our world| url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/a-celebration-of-science-in-the-uk-10-britons-who-shaped-our-world-406704.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080518101948/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/a-celebration-of-science-in-the-uk-10-britons-who-shaped-our-world-406704.html| url-status= dead| archive-date= 18 May 2008| access-date=7 August 2008| work=The Independent | location=London | date=5 July 2006}}</ref> [[Jim Al-Khalili]], the nuclear physicist, author and broadcaster;<ref>{{cite web| title=Senior Media Fellow – Jim Al-Khalili| url= http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/PublicEngagement/ActivitiesAndFundingForResearchers/SMF/AlKhalili.htm| access-date=8 August 2008| publisher = [[EPSRC]]|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928001759/http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/PublicEngagement/ActivitiesAndFundingForResearchers/SMF/AlKhalili.htm |archive-date = 28 September 2007}}</ref> [[Aleks Krotoski]], the technology journalist and broadcaster;<ref>{{cite news| title=Aleks Krotoski| url=https://www.theguardian.com/profile/alekskrotoski| access-date=8 August 2008| work=The Guardian| location=London| date=1 October 2007| archive-date=23 April 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100423184500/http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/alekskrotoski| url-status=live}}</ref> [[Martin Sweeting]], founder of [[Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd]];<ref name="The Independent"/> [[Nigel Gilbert]], the sociologist pioneer in the use of [[agent-based model]]s in the social sciences;<ref>{{cite web  | last = Debrett's  | title = Authorized Biography of Prof Nigel Gilbert, FREng  | url = http://www.debretts.com/people/biographies/search/results/20809/%28Geoffrey%29%20Nigel%20GILBERT.aspx  | access-date = 2 December 2009  | url-status = dead  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120309021118/http://www.debretts.com/people/biographies/search/results/20809/(Geoffrey)%20Nigel%20GILBERT.aspx  | archive-date = 9 March 2012 }}</ref> Joao Santos Silva, who has made fundamental contributions to the [[gravity model of trade]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_classic_articles&hl=en&by=2006&vq=bus_economics|title=Economics - Classic papers - Google Scholar|access-date=19 September 2021|archive-date=10 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010094755/https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_classic_articles&hl=en&by=2006&vq=bus_economics|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Martyn Barrett]], who led the development of the [[Council of Europe]]'s [[Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Working Groups - Ad Hoc Expert Group on Competences for Democratic Culture. |url=https://www.coe.int/en/web/education/working-groups#{%2222597847%22:[0]} |access-date=18 January 2021}}</ref> and is a lead expert for the Council of Europe's Education Policy Advisers Network.<ref>{{cite web |title=Education Policy Advisers Network (EPAN) |url=https://www.coe.int/en/web/reference-framework-of-competences-for-democratic-culture/education-policy-advisers-network-epan- |access-date=18 January 2021 |archive-date=18 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118133944/https://www.coe.int/en/web/reference-framework-of-competences-for-democratic-culture/education-policy-advisers-network-epan- |url-status=live }}</ref>

The current Director of the university's [[Advanced Technology Institute]], [[Ravi Silva]], is known for his work in [[Nanotechnology]]. In 2003, he was awarded the [[Albert Einstein]] Silver Medal and the Javed Husain Prize by [[UNESCO]] for contributions to electronic devices. The 2011 [[Clifford Paterson Lecture]] was given by Silva because of his outstanding contributions to basic science and engineering in the field of carbon nanoscience and nanotechnology. The lecture is given annually on any aspect of engineering.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.surrey.ac.uk/feps/research/people/ravi_silva/ |title=Ravi Silva - University of Surrey - Guildford |publisher=Surrey.ac.uk |access-date=2015-03-31 |archive-date=8 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101108021312/http://www.surrey.ac.uk/feps/research/people/ravi_silva/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[General Electric]] Company Limited endowed the lecture in 1975 in honour of Clifford Paterson who undertook the creation of the GEC Research Laboratories in 1919.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://royalsociety.org/events/Clifford-Paterson-Lecture-2011/ |title=Clifford Paterson Lecture 2011: Professor S Ravi P Silva FREng |publisher=Royalsociety.org |access-date=2015-03-31 |archive-date=13 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013105046/http://royalsociety.org/events/Clifford-Paterson-Lecture-2011/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Surrey's ''Centre for Environment and Sustainability'' (established by [[Roland Clift]] in 1992 as the ''Centre for Environmental Strategy'') gained attention with the publication of ''[[Prosperity Without Growth]]'' in 2009 by University of Surrey academic [[Tim Jackson (economist)|Tim Jackson]], Professor of [[Sustainable Development]] and Director of the ESRC Research Group on Lifestyles, Values and Environment.<ref name="Surrey Website">[http://www.surrey.ac.uk/ces/people/tim_jackson Tim Jackson] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201081221/https://www.surrey.ac.uk/ces/people/tim_jackson/ |date=1 February 2018 }} at the ''University of Surrey'' | last visited: 19 February 2013</ref> In October 2018 the University of Surrey reported that writer and filmmaker [[Iain Sinclair]] had been appointed Distinguished Writer in Residence with their School of Literature and Languages.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.surrey.ac.uk/news/internationally-renowned-writer-and-film-maker-iain-sinclair-joins-surrey-distinguished-writer| title=Internationally renowned writer and film-maker Iain Sinclair joins Surrey as Distinguished Writer-in-Residence| publisher=University of Surrey| access-date=21 November 2018| archive-date=22 November 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122005405/https://www.surrey.ac.uk/news/internationally-renowned-writer-and-film-maker-iain-sinclair-joins-surrey-distinguished-writer| url-status=live}}</ref>

On 20 May 2009, [[Andreas Mogensen]], a researcher at the [[Surrey Space Centre]], was announced as a new member of the [[European Astronaut Corps]], part of the [[European Space Agency]], thereby becoming the first [[Denmark|Danish]] [[astronaut]].<ref>{{cite web| title=The Copenhagen Post: First Danish Astronaut announced|url= http://www.cphpost.dk/news/national/88-national/45716-first-danish-astronaut-announced.html| access-date=20 May 2009| work = [[The Copenhagen Post]]| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090523093937/http://www.cphpost.dk/news/national/88-national/45716-first-danish-astronaut-announced.html <!--Added by H3llBot-->| archive-date= 23 May 2009}}</ref> In February 2011, terrorism and Northern Ireland expert [[Marie Breen Smyth]], joined the politics department, as chair in International Relations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.surrey.ac.uk/politics/people/professor_breensmyth_marie_politics/ |title=Professor Breen-Smyth, Marie (Politics) - University of Surrey - Guildford |publisher=Surrey.ac.uk |access-date=2015-03-31 |archive-date=18 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318000721/http://www.surrey.ac.uk/politics/people/professor_breensmyth_marie_politics/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2005, she had given evidence to the House of Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Inquiry into dealing with Northern Ireland's past.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmselect/cmniaf/cmniaf.htm |title=The House of Commons - Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Reports |publisher=Publications.parliament.uk |access-date=2015-03-31 |archive-date=24 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224152011/https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmselect/cmniaf/cmniaf.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Another notable academic was the late translation studies scholar [[Peter Newmark]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jostrans.org/issue07/int_newmark.php|title=Newmark interview|website=www.jostrans.org|access-date=19 July 2011|archive-date=11 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811015403/https://www.jostrans.org/issue07/int_newmark.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Student life==
=== Students' Union ===

The University of Surrey Students' Union is the sole representative body of Surrey students. They represent students on academic and welfare issues, as well as administering sports clubs and societies. The Union was incorporated as a non-profit charity in July 2011, so any takings from the Union's four commercial outlets are invested in supporting the membership side of the business. Four zones exist within the organisation representing Support, Voice, Community and Activity, with a sabbatical officer managing each one, as well as a president who is a member of the University Council. The Students' Union also organise events on a weekly basis which are held at their venues including Rubix and The Basement for students to take part in.<ref>{{cite web |title=Your Union |url=https://www.ussu.co.uk/yourzones |website=University of Surrey Students Union |access-date=25 February 2019 |archive-date=25 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225223802/https://www.ussu.co.uk/yourzones |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2017 the university was specifically identified in the report by the Free Speech University Rankings as having "unfamiliar" restrictions on free speech because of a collection of its union byelaws regarding university mascot Steve the Stag: the mascot is not allowed to be depicted by students to be drinking, smoking or, as the report and subsequent articles directly quote, "involved in lewd acts".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/student/news/nine-10-uk-universities-free-speech-restrict-rankings-joseph-rowntree-cardiff-ediburgh-newcastle-a7577381.html|title=These are the least free universities in Britain, apparently|work=The Independent|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en-GB|archive-date=20 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020232404/https://www.independent.co.uk/student/news/nine-10-uk-universities-free-speech-restrict-rankings-joseph-rowntree-cardiff-ediburgh-newcastle-a7577381.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Subsequent editions of the Students' Union Byelaws contained a further explanatory note for this.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ussu.co.uk/yourunion/Governing%20Documents/Constitution%20and%20Byelaws/Byelaws.pdf#page=68 |title=The Union - Surrey Students' Union |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-date=29 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129192950/https://www.ussu.co.uk/yourunion/Governing%20Documents/Constitution%20and%20Byelaws/Byelaws.pdf#page=68 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Media===
StagTV is the television station run by students at the University of Surrey. It is primarily run from offices on the main Stag Hill campus and it also creates content for the Students' Union, through which it is a constituted group, but has editorial independence. Other student media on campus include [[Stag Radio]] and ''[[The Stag (magazine)|The Stag]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web |title=StagTV - About |url=http://about.stagtv.co.uk/ |website=StagTV |access-date=7 October 2018 |archive-date=24 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170524021958/http://about.stagtv.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Armorial of UK universities]]
* [[College of advanced technology (United Kingdom)]]
* [[Lewis Elton Gallery]]
* [[List of public art in Surrey#University of Surrey|List of public art in Surrey]]
* [[List of universities in the UK]]

== References ==
{{notelist}}
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Official website}}
*[http://www.ussu.co.uk University of Surrey Students' Union] – official website
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081218100214/http://www.conservatoire.org/ Guildford School of Acting] – official website
*[https://www.surrey.ac.uk/about/facts/our-history Our History] University of Surrey

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