University of Surrey
The University of Surrey is a UK public research-intensive university in Guildford serving approximately 17,000–18,000 students across three faculties, with international campuses and partnerships in India and Sri Lanka, and a portfolio spanning AI, 5G, energy storage, clean energy, and healthcare research, funded through tuition, research grants, and commercial activities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1891
- HeadquartersGuildford, United Kingdom
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What University of Surrey does
The University of Surrey is a research-intensive public university in Guildford, UK, established by Royal Charter in 1966 (with roots as Battersea Polytechnic Institute from 1891). It serves approximately 17,000–18,000 students across three faculties covering arts and social sciences, health and medical sciences, and engineering and physical sciences, and is ranked 246th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and Top 3 in the UK for student experience (National Student Survey). The university operates undergraduate, postgraduate taught, and postgraduate research programmes on its main Guildford campus and extends delivery internationally through a planned campus in GIFT City, Gujarat (India), Bengaluru/Mumbai expansion plans, and a joint venture (IIHS Multiversity) in Sri Lanka delivering the MSc in Digital Health.
The institution runs an extensive applied-research portfolio spanning AI for healthcare, 5G/6G communications, battery and energy storage, space weather, clean energy/hydrogen, and animal health, supported by dedicated centres including the 5G Innovation Centre, Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI, Institute for Sustainability, and Surrey Research Park. Proprietary platforms include the My AI Surrey generative-AI assistant (deployed via Cloudforce nebulaONE on Microsoft Azure), the BiofuelAi hybrid-AI biogas optimisation platform (Manchester Prize 2026 winner), the TwinGuard 5G cyber-defence system using digital twins, AI predictive models for osteoarthritis and cancer pathology, sodium-ion and VISiCNT lithium-ion battery technologies, and an energy-aware cryptographic framework for O-RAN. Industry partners include Ceres (clean energy/hydrogen), Zoetis (animal health, via the vHive partnership), Microsoft/Cloudforce (AI infrastructure), and IIHS (Sri Lanka delivery).
Revenue is generated through a hybrid model combining tuition fees (differentiated by UK/EU vs international domicile and programme level), research grants and contracts from UKRI bodies (BBSRC, NERC, EPSRC, UK Space Agency, Innovate UK) and corporate partners, commercial activities (consulting, KTPs, IP licensing, executive education), and prize/grant funding. Wholly-owned subsidiaries — Innovate Surrey Ltd (technology transfer), Unitemps (student recruitment/employment), and Surrey Research Park (innovation park) — extend commercialisation reach. The go-to-market combines a sales-led, rankings-driven student recruitment motion with event-based open days, a multi-channel digital marketing presence (including Weibo and WeChat for Chinese recruitment), and dedicated industry engagement teams for partnership and professional education revenue.
University of Surrey firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- University of Surrey
- Legal name
- University of Surrey
- Website
- https://surrey.ac.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1891
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- The University of Surrey is a UK public research-intensive university in Guildford serving approximately 17,000–18,000 students across three faculties, with international campuses and partnerships in India and Sri Lanka, and a portfolio spanning AI, 5G, energy storage, clean energy, and healthcare research, funded through tuition, research grants, and commercial activities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
University of Surrey industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Research Universities with Multi-Campus Systems (EDAHAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary) (EDAHABAA)
Keywords
Where University of Surrey is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Guildford
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
University of Surrey business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tuition Fees: Core revenue stream from undergraduate and postgraduate tuition fees, with differentiated pricing for UK/EU students versus international students based on program level and duration.
- Research Grants and Contracts: Funding from UK government bodies (including UK Research and Innovation), industry partners, and international sources for academic research across various disciplines.
- Commercial Activities: Revenue from commercial activities including consulting services, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) with industry, licensing of intellectual property, and professional education programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | UK/EU Undergraduate Tuition |
| Subscription | Annual | International Undergraduate Tuition |
| Subscription | Annual | Postgraduate Taught Programs |
| Subscription | Annual | Postgraduate Research |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels10 records
University of Surrey product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The University of Surrey is a research-intensive public university that delivers undergraduate, postgraduate taught, and postgraduate research degree programs across three faculties (arts/social sciences, health/medical sciences, and engineering/physical sciences). It generates revenue through tuition fees, research grants, consultancy services, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, executive education, and commercialization of research outputs including AI platforms, battery technologies, and cybersecurity systems.
Product overview
The University of Surrey operates as a research-intensive university offering a portfolio of academic programmes alongside proprietary AI and technology platforms developed through its research divisions. Core products include the My AI Surrey personalized AI platform deployed via Microsoft Azure, the BiofuelAi Platform for biogas optimization using digital twin technology, and the PhD Accelerator programme supporting research commercialization. The university also develops specialized battery technologies including VISiCNT lithium-ion anodes and sodium vanadate hydrate batteries for energy storage and desalination applications. Supporting infrastructure includes the Impact Acceleration Account for research funding and the Surrey Innovation & Enterprise Hub providing industry connection and grant support services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Innovate Surrey Ltd: Technology transfer and innovation commercialisation subsidiary
- Surrey Research Park
- MSc Digital Health (delivered via IIHS Multiversity)
- Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI
- Institute for Sustainability
- 5G Innovation Centre
- PhD Accelerator
- Centre for Environment and Sustainability
Products and services
- MSc in Digital Health Postgraduate taught programme covering digital health systems, health informatics, data analytics, and digital leadership, designed for professionals seeking leadership roles in technology-enabled healthcare environments.
- BiofuelAi Platform AI-powered decision support platform for biogas plant optimization using mechanistic modeling, machine learning, and hybrid AI to create digital twins of anaerobic digestion facilities, with pilot trials reporting 6-10% revenue increases, 7-13% profit improvements, and 28% carbon emission reduction.
- My AI Surrey Personalized AI platform for staff and students deployed across campus via Cloudforce nebulaONE on Microsoft Azure, supporting learning, research, and administrative processes with emphasis on responsible AI use and AI literacy development.
- PhD Accelerator
Quantifiable outcome
- 246th globally in QS World University Rankings 2027
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use University of Surrey
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
University of Surrey technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability17 records
Feature4 records
University of Surrey partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- CerescorePartnership with Ceres, a clean energy technology company, focused on clean power systems and hydrogen production research. The collaboration leverages university research capabilities in sustainable energy and battery technology.
- ZoetiscorevHive partnership with Zoetis, a global animal health company, for animal health innovation research. The partnership combines industry expertise with academic research capabilities.
- Microsoft (via Cloudforce)supportingAI tools partnership utilizing Microsoft technologies through Cloudforce integration. The collaboration supports digital transformation of university operations and research capabilities.
- International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS)coreSri Lanka campus partnership with IIHS for delivery of MSc in Digital Health program. The partnership enables local delivery of UK-accredited postgraduate education in healthcare technology.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
University of Surrey competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- University of Bath: UK public research university of comparable size and ranking tier with strong engineering, science, and management schools; competes directly with Surrey for international students, research grants, and industry partnerships.
- Loughborough University: Similar mid-size UK research-intensive university with a polytechnic heritage, strong industry partnerships, and comparable QS ranking tier; competes for STEM students and applied research funding.
- University of Exeter: Russell Group-adjacent UK research university with comparable enrollment, strong STEM and business schools, and active international student recruitment in similar markets.
- University of York: UK public research university with comparable size, multi-disciplinary research profile, and similar ranking position; competes for postgraduate research students and UKRI grants.
- Lancaster University: Mid-size UK research university with comparable international partnerships (including overseas campus delivery) and similar focus on STEM and social science research.
- University of Sussex: UK research university of similar scale and ranking tier with strengths in sciences, engineering, and AI research; competes directly for international postgraduate students.
- Heriot-Watt University: UK research university with polytechnic heritage and well-established international campuses (Dubai, Malaysia) — providing a relevant template and benchmark for Surrey's own international expansion strategy.
- Brunel University London: London-based research university with polytechnic heritage and applied research focus; competes for international students and applied research grants in engineering and health sciences.
- University of Strathclyde: Scottish research-intensive university with strong industry partnerships, technology transfer activity, and similar applied research focus in engineering and sciences.
- Cranfield University: UK postgraduate-only research university with deep industry collaboration in engineering, energy, and aerospace — directly comparable to Surrey's research commercialization model and KTP success rate.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
University of Surrey social profiles
Digital presenceUniversity of Surrey financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
University of Surrey leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
University of Surrey subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
University of Surrey funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
University of Surrey M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments6 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about University of Surrey
What does University of Surrey do?
The University of Surrey is a research-intensive public university that delivers undergraduate, postgraduate taught, and postgraduate research degree programs across three faculties (arts/social sciences, health/medical sciences, and engineering/physical sciences). It generates revenue through tuition fees, research grants, consultancy services, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, executive education, and commercialization of research outputs including AI platforms, battery technologies, and cybersecurity systems.
Is University of Surrey a public or private company?
University of Surrey is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was University of Surrey founded?
University of Surrey was founded in 1891. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is University of Surrey based?
University of Surrey is headquartered in Guildford, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does University of Surrey make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tuition Fees are the primary driver. The others are research Grants and Contracts and commercial Activities.
Who are University of Surrey's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are University of Bath, Loughborough University, University of Exeter, University of York, Lancaster University, University of Sussex, Heriot-Watt University, Brunel University London, University of Strathclyde and Cranfield University.
Does University of Surrey have an API?
No public API is recorded for University of Surrey.
What industry is University of Surrey in?
University of Surrey's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAAAI, Public Research Universities with Multi-Campus Systems, with a secondary code of EDAHABAA, Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.