Research

We undertake world leading research in topics such as artificial intelligence and data science, networks, cyber security, nanotechnology, and satellite engineering.

Research excellence

We are ranked 7th in the country for our research outputs in computer science and informatics and 15th in the UK for ‘*research power’ in engineering, according to the latest UK Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).

88% of our computer science and informatics research has been judged as world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*) overall.

Overall, Surrey has risen 12 places in the rankings since 2014 to 33rd in the UK for our research quality.

Explore our research impact

* Research power is the overall quality of submissions, calculated by grade point average and multiplied by the full-time equivalent number of staff submitted.

Centres and groups

Advanced Technology Institute

An interdisciplinary research institute investigating materials and devices for future electronics and photonics.

Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing

One of the most highly renowned centres in Europe working on all aspects of image, video and audio processing research.

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Distributed and Networked Systems Group

The interests of this group span both technical and socio-technical challenges arising in these the digital world.

Institute for Communication Systems

One of the UK’s largest and most renowned academic research centres focused on 5G and future communication systems.

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Nature Inspired Computing and Engineering Research Group

We advance the foundations of artificial intelligence by drawing inspiration from nature and foundational science disciplines and apply our techniques to solve real-world problems.

Secure Systems Research Group

The driving force behind the Surrey Centre for Cyber Security, the group is focused on creating methods and techniques which ensure the safety of computer systems.

Surrey Centre for Cyber Security

A UK government-recognised Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research which applies formal modelling to creating methods and techniques to mitigate cyber security threats.

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Surrey Space Centre

Pioneers of cost-effective satellite engineering techniques to develop small satellites and associated scientific experiments/payloads.

Pan-University institutes

These pan-University institutes support the University's aspirations for increasing the scale and enhancing the excellence of our research and innovation.

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Surrey Institute for People-Centred Artificial Intelligence

Putting people at the heart of AI, augmenting human capabilities to deliver an inclusive and responsible force for good in partnership with industry, the public sector, government and national AI organisations.

Institute for Sustainability

We want to be a critical player in the global transition to sustainable living for everyone, through interdisciplinary research and innovation in partnership with national and international organisations, education and civic engagement.

Research spotlights

Find out more about our capabilities in autonomous vehicles, 5G technologies, blockchain, virtual reality, gaming and smart health.

Study with us

If you're interested in doing a PhD in our School, then take a look at our offering from space engineering, AI, communications, robotics, security, distributed systems and many more.

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