Surveying university rankings 2027
University of Reading is the best university for surveying in 2027, ahead of Northumbria University and UWE Bristol. We ranked 24 universities on teaching, support, graduate pay and what it is like to live there.
- 1University of Reading, 92 points. 92% teaching and 97% academic support.
- 2Northumbria University, 90 points. 74% satisfaction and one of the safest cities.
- 3UWE Bristol, 88 points. 92% teaching and 74% satisfaction.
The full ranking
Showing the top 10 of 24.
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Teaching quality92%2nd of 24Academic support97%2nd of 24Student satisfaction74%4th of 24Graduate pay£32,0004th of 24Cost of living7214th of 24City safety55.711th of 24Social life7419th of 24Sustainability77.12nd of 24
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Teaching quality86%12th of 24Academic support88%13th of 24Student satisfaction74%4th of 24Graduate pay£30,5008th of 24Cost of living6911th of 24City safety60.65th of 24Social life841st of 24Sustainability67.86th of 24
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Teaching quality92%2nd of 24Academic support84%16th of 24Student satisfaction74%4th of 24Graduate pay£31,0005th of 24Cost of living7315th of 24City safety57.010th of 24Social life823rd of 24Sustainability68.94th of 24
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Teaching quality93%1st of 24Academic support93%6th of 24Student satisfaction73%8th of 24Graduate pay£30,00010th of 24Cost of living686th of 24City safety39.421st of 24Social life7810th of 24Sustainability77.03rd of 24
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Teaching quality81%16th of 24Academic support96%4th of 24Student satisfaction75%3rd of 24Graduate pay£27,00021st of 24Cost of living674th of 24City safety59.17th of 24Social life7711th of 24Sustainability63.38th of 24
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Teaching quality88%9th of 24Academic support84%16th of 24Student satisfaction72%10th of 24Graduate pay£38,0001st of 24Cost of living601st of 24City safety58.88th of 24Social life7514th of 24Sustainability58.611th of 24
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Teaching quality91%4th of 24Academic support91%10th of 24Student satisfaction74%4th of 24Graduate pay£31,0005th of 24Cost of living8020th of 24City safety63.03rd of 24Social life7514th of 24Sustainability56.814th of 24
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Teaching quality82%15th of 24Academic support93%6th of 24Student satisfaction70%20th of 24Graduate pay£32,5003rd of 24Cost of living686th of 24City safety54.912th of 24Social life806th of 24Sustainability57.113th of 24
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Teaching quality89%7th of 24Academic support91%10th of 24Student satisfaction77%1st of 24Graduate pay£33,0002nd of 24Cost of living686th of 24City safety47.316th of 24Social life797th of 24Sustainability46.320th of 24
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Teaching quality73%21st of 24Academic support89%12th of 24Student satisfaction76%2nd of 24Graduate pay£30,00010th of 24Cost of living6911th of 24City safety47.315th of 24Social life815th of 24Sustainability64.67th of 24
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Teaching quality87%11th of 24Academic support92%9th of 24Student satisfaction70%20th of 24Graduate pay£31,0005th of 24Cost of living7517th of 24City safety60.84th of 24Social life7323rd of 24Sustainability58.312th of 24
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Teaching quality67%24th of 24Academic support85%14th of 24Student satisfaction72%10th of 24Graduate pay£30,00010th of 24Cost of living686th of 24City safety51.514th of 24Social life832nd of 24Sustainability68.65th of 24
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Teaching quality90%6th of 24Academic support93%6th of 24Student satisfaction72%10th of 24Graduate pay£29,00017th of 24Cost of living9121st of 24City safety44.417th of 24Social life7419th of 24Sustainability78.11st of 24
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Teaching quality79%19th of 24Academic support94%5th of 24Student satisfaction72%10th of 24Graduate pay£30,00010th of 24Cost of living7919th of 24City safety60.56th of 24Social life823rd of 24Sustainability53.319th of 24
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Teaching quality86%12th of 24Academic support97%2nd of 24Student satisfaction71%16th of 24Graduate pay£26,50023rd of 24Cost of living7416th of 24City safety74.81st of 24Social life7514th of 24Sustainability45.121st of 24
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Teaching quality71%23rd of 24Academic support85%14th of 24Student satisfaction72%10th of 24Graduate pay£30,5008th of 24Cost of living7517th of 24City safety69.52nd of 24Social life7711th of 24Sustainability55.215th of 24
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Teaching quality80%18th of 24Academic support75%21st of 24Student satisfaction71%16th of 24Graduate pay£29,00017th of 24Cost of living6911th of 24City safety54.813th of 24Social life797th of 24Sustainability60.210th of 24
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Teaching quality76%20th of 24Academic support70%23rd of 24Student satisfaction73%8th of 24Graduate pay£28,50019th of 24Cost of living686th of 24City safety57.19th of 24Social life797th of 24Sustainability55.116th of 24
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Teaching quality73%21st of 24Academic support81%19th of 24Student satisfaction72%10th of 24Graduate pay£30,00010th of 24Cost of living674th of 24City safety38.322nd of 24Social life7613th of 24Sustainability62.89th of 24
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Teaching quality91%4th of 24Academic support98%1st of 24Student satisfaction66%24th of 24Graduate pay£25,00024th of 24Cost of living9121st of 24City safety44.417th of 24Social life7514th of 24Sustainability40.522nd of 24
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Teaching quality88%9th of 24Academic support78%20th of 24Student satisfaction71%16th of 24Graduate pay£28,00020th of 24Cost of living643rd of 24City safety30.724th of 24Social life7224th of 24Sustainability54.317th of 24
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Teaching quality89%7th of 24Academic support75%21st of 24Student satisfaction71%16th of 24Graduate pay£30,00010th of 24Cost of living632nd of 24City safety36.623rd of 24Social life7419th of 24Sustainability29.124th of 24
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Teaching quality86%12th of 24Academic support82%18th of 24Student satisfaction68%22nd of 24Graduate pay£30,00010th of 24Cost of living9121st of 24City safety44.417th of 24Social life7419th of 24Sustainability53.518th of 24
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Teaching quality81%16th of 24Academic support63%24th of 24Student satisfaction68%22nd of 24Graduate pay£27,00021st of 24Cost of living9121st of 24City safety44.417th of 24Social life7514th of 24Sustainability34.723rd of 24
What the ranking shows
- University of Reading leads by 2 points. Its strongest results are 92% teaching and 97% academic support.
- The best-paid graduates are not at the top. University of South Wales has the highest graduate pay at £38,000, but ranks 5th.
- University of Salford has the highest teaching score at 93%.
- Pontypridd is the cheapest place to live, with a cost-of-living index of 60. London scores 91.
How the ranking works
We rank each university on eight measures: teaching quality, academic support, student satisfaction, graduate pay, cost of living, city safety, social life and sustainability. The ranks are added together and the highest total ranks first. Lower living costs count as better, and universities with the same total share a place. Read the full methodology.
Four things to check before you apply
- RICS accreditation. Check that the course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). An accredited degree is the usual first step towards becoming a chartered surveyor.
- Which kind of surveying. Courses focus on different areas, such as building surveying, commercial property, real estate or quantity surveying. Make sure the course matches the pathway you want.
- Placements and work experience. Chartership needs relevant work experience after your degree. Check whether the course offers a placement year or industry links to help you start.
- Entry requirements. Most surveying courses do not need specific A-levels, and many accept relevant BTECs. Check the grades and any GCSE Maths and English requirements.
Questions students ask
Which is the best university for surveying in the UK?
University of Reading ranks first in our 2027 surveying ranking with a score of 92, ahead of Northumbria University (90) and UWE Bristol (88).
How do you become a chartered surveyor?
Most people complete an RICS-accredited degree, then pass the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). The APC needs a period of structured training and professional development while working.
Can you become a surveyor without a surveying degree?
Yes. Graduates of other subjects can take an RICS-accredited postgraduate course, usually a master's or postgraduate diploma. RICS also recognises apprenticeships as a route into the profession.
What is the difference between building and quantity surveying?
Building surveyors assess the condition, defects and maintenance of existing buildings. Quantity surveyors manage the costs and contracts of construction projects. Both can lead to chartered status through different APC pathways.
What A-levels do you need for surveying?
Most surveying degrees do not ask for specific subjects. Maths, Geography, Economics, Business and Design and Technology can all be useful. Check grade requirements on each course page.
Related rankings
Sources: university course pages, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Graduate Outcomes survey. Graduate pay is measured about 15 months after finishing.
