About University of Surrey
What is the University of Surrey?
The University of Surrey is a university in Guildford. Its history page says it "was established on 9 September 1966 with the grant of its Royal Charter", and that its roots go back to Battersea Polytechnic Institute, "founded in 1891". Its working-at-Surrey page says its ethos "is based upon a belief in our ability to make a difference to the world". The main campus is Stag Hill in Guildford, with Surrey Sports Park nearby, and some staff are employed by Operate Surrey Limited, which has its own pension plan and pay scale.
Where will I work?
All 26 vacancies open to external applicants on 2026-10-18 were in Guildford. The staff pages say "we strive to create an environment where people feel empowered to work where they can best deliver the impact required in their role, and therefore offer blended working in many roles". Postings promise "flexible working options including job share and blended home/campus working locations (dependent on work duties)". The staff handbook says the normal working week for all staff other than research and teaching track academics "will be an average of 36 hours", and the flexible working procedure lists compressed hours among the arrangements staff can ask for, such as "nine days a fortnight instead of ten", though it does not make them an entitlement.
What is the Surrey team like?
The University runs a Wellbeing Champions initiative with Champions who are "members of staff from any level" in "almost every department/school", plus a chaplaincy that offers confidential one-to-one pastoral care and a Menopause Project to support staff experiencing menopause at work. It describes itself as "a vibrant multi-faith and multi-cultural community". Its board on 2026-10-18 mixed lecturer, professor and research fellow posts with professional services roles such as a Finance and Operations Analyst, an Events Officer, a Student Success Coach, a Costing Officer and a Built Environment Project Manager, plus technician posts. Staff can also take time off in lieu for work outside recognised working hours.
Work-Life Balance
The staff benefits page says "Professional Services colleagues: 25 days + seven University days", and that the seven University days are "three days at Easter; three days at Christmas; one additional day". The staff handbook gives eight public and statutory holidays, so a professional services employee gets 40 days a year, and academic colleagues get 30 days of leave, 45 in all. Staff can buy up to 10 extra days each year, and colleagues with family care responsibilities can take "up to five discretionary days of additional annual leave". Maternity leave starts from day one of employment: 8 weeks on full pay including statutory pay, 16 weeks on half pay plus statutory pay, 15 weeks of statutory pay and 13 weeks unpaid. All academic staff have the right to apply for sabbatical leave.
Perks and Benefits
Pensions are the Universities Superannuation Scheme for grade 3 and above, the University of Surrey Pension Plan for grades 1 and 2, and the Operate Pension Plan for Operate Surrey staff, with no rates stated on the pages. Staff get free access to the BHSF RISE Employee Assistance Programme, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with mental health, financial and legal advice, a discounted rate on Bupa private medical insurance, Specsavers vouchers for screen users and a discounted full membership of Surrey Sports Park. The campus nursery is run by Bright Horizons and offers "subsidised day nursery and preschool services" with salary sacrifice. Commuting help covers the cycle-to-work scheme, bus travel discounts, an interest-free season ticket advance and a Tusker electric car salary sacrifice scheme.