6 key facts
Officially impressive research
The last Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) brought official recognition for the quality of our research.
The RAE rated 88% of our research activity and over half of our research units as world-class or internationally recognised, and placed 4 of our research areas in the UK’s top 10.
Award-winning academics
In 2011 we won the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for our world-leading research into the sustainable provision of safe water. It is the most prestigious honour a UK university can attain.
This was the third time our academics have been honoured with this prize: in 1996 we won the award for our pioneering work in satellite technology, while in 2002 the prize recognised our world-changing innovations in lasers, ion beams and optoelectronics. We have also received the Queen’s Award for Export Achievement, the Queen’s Award for Technological Achievement, and two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.
Surrey in the league tables
We recently completed a memorable clean sweep by moving up the rankings in all four of the main university league tables, including an impressive 20-place rise in The Sunday Times University Guide 2012 and a top-12 placing in The Guardian University Guide 2013.
Enterprising attitudes
Few universities can match our ability for enterprise.
Whether it’s supporting our students and academics as they turn their inspiring ideas into profitable business propositions, working with business and industry to share our expertise for everyone’s benefit, or creating our own spin-out companies to maximise the impact of our world-class research, our naturally entrepreneurial culture has achieved success after success.
120 years: a history of shaping the future
We recently celebrated the 120th anniversary of our foundation. The institution has evolved significantly in that time, but some things have remained constant.
We strongly believe that we should turn our cutting-edge knowledge into practical innovations that improve people’s lives. We strongly believe that our students and academics can make a real impact on the world.
These are the attitudes that most clearly define us, and have done so for over 120 years.
Qualifications that work
Our postgraduate students have a well-earned reputation for professionalism, with the habit of asking the right questions and the intellectual skills to find the right answers.
It’s part of the Surrey attitude that has helped us achieve an exceptional track record for employability. A Surrey qualification makes you highly desirable to the best employers, and prepares you for success in whatever career you decide to follow.