Compare any two UK universities
Select any two universities below and we'll generate an instant, data-driven comparison — rankings, salaries, student satisfaction, international community, and more.
Dundee · Guardian UK #55
Reading · QS World #196
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 8 datapoints
We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
2/8
Abertay
scored higher in 2 categories
6/8
Reading
scored higher in 6 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Reading leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Abertay University is ahead on established, satisfaction.
Abertay University vs University of Reading at a glance
Abertay University and University of Reading both teach 21 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science and Law. Abertay University offers 82 courses across 31 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,950 a year at Abertay University and £25,850 at University of Reading: Abertay University is about £8,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,950 a year at Abertay University and £26,450 at University of Reading: Abertay University is about £7,500 a year cheaper.
Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 10 and Abertay University in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £20,500 three years after graduating from Abertay University, against £39,000 from University of Reading. Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 6 and Abertay University in 3.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Abertay University
University of Reading
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
Scholarships
Number of scholarships
International Community
Where do international students come from?
Top source countries based on official HESA enrolment data. A higher diversity of nationalities often means a richer campus experience.
Abertay
29 countries · 9.3% international
- 🇫🇷France28%
- 🇮🇳India16.1%
- 🇺🇸United States8.6%
- 🇨🇳China3.2%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria3.2%
Reading
96 countries · 18% international
- 🇨🇳China26%
- 🇮🇳India6.9%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria4.2%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia3.9%
Subjects
21 subjects you can study at both
Courses listed at each university in the subject, and the typical (median) international fee a year. Select a count to see the courses.
Abertay University
University of Reading
Business & Management (General)
7 coursesTypical fee £16,950 (UG)
22 coursesTypical fee £25,850 (UG)
Finance & Actuarial Science
1 courseTypical fee £18,950 (PG)
26 coursesTypical fee £30,650 (UG)
Law
5 coursesTypical fee £16,950 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £25,850 (UG)
Marketing
5 coursesTypical fee £16,950 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £25,850 (UG)
Building & Construction
1 courseTypical fee £18,950 (PG)
16 coursesTypical fee £31,650 (PG)
Psychology (General)
3 coursesTypical fee £16,950 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £30,650 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
2 coursesTypical fee £18,950 (PG)
11 coursesTypical fee £25,850 (UG)
Accounting
Food Science
Sociology & Criminology
Biomedical Sciences
Management
Human Geography & Environment
Civil Engineering
Nutrition & Dietetics
Also taught at both: Sport & Exercise Sciences, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Human Resource Management, Clinical & Health Psychology, Film Production & Cinematography.
Only at Abertay University
Fees
What it costs international students
The typical (median) international tuition fee a year across each university's published course fees. Individual courses vary; each course page shows its own fee.
Undergraduate
- Abertay University
- £16,950
- University of Reading
- £25,850
Abertay University is about £8,900 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Abertay University
- £18,950
- University of Reading
- £26,450
Abertay University is about £7,500 a year cheaper.
Outcomes
Graduate outcomes by subject
Median graduate salary three years after graduating, and student satisfaction with teaching, across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject. Source: Discover Uni.
Abertay University
University of Reading
Business & Management (General)
£22,500Salary (3 years)£35,50064%Satisfaction77%Law
£23,000Salary (3 years)£27,50092%Satisfaction86%Marketing
£21,500Salary (3 years)£29,00083%Satisfaction76%Psychology (General)
£22,000Salary (3 years)£24,00086%Satisfaction83%Accounting
£20,500Salary (3 years)£39,00073%Satisfaction86%Food Science
£28,000Salary (3 years)£30,50089%Satisfaction95%Sociology & Criminology
£22,000Salary (3 years)£31,00088%Satisfaction96%Biomedical Sciences
£29,500Salary (3 years)£25,00090%Satisfaction92%Management
£22,500Salary (3 years)£34,000No dataSatisfaction81%Civil Engineering
£27,000Salary (3 years)£33,00093%Satisfaction98%Nutrition & Dietetics
£29,500Salary (3 years)£29,500No dataSatisfaction94%Computer Science
£30,500Salary (3 years)£35,000No dataSatisfaction76%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveAbertay University
View all scholarships →University of Reading
The Sporting Excellence Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Abertay University vs University of Reading: common questions
Is Abertay University or University of Reading cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,950 a year at Abertay University and £25,850 at University of Reading: Abertay University is about £8,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,950 a year at Abertay University and £26,450 at University of Reading: Abertay University is about £7,500 a year cheaper. These are medians of the international tuition fees each university publishes for its courses; the fee for a specific course is on its course page.
What subjects can you study at both Abertay University and University of Reading?
Both universities teach 21 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Law, Marketing, Building & Construction, Psychology (General), Politics & International Relations, Accounting, Food Science, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Management and 9 more.
Is Abertay University or University of Reading better for Business & Management (General)?
Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Abertay University, and £35,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 64% at Abertay University and 77% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Abertay University or University of Reading offer more courses?
University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and Abertay University lists 82 courses.
What can you study at Abertay University but not at University of Reading?
Abertay University teaches 10 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Applied Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Applied Computing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Forensic Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Mental Health Nursing and 2 more.
What can you study at University of Reading but not at Abertay University?
University of Reading teaches 49 subject areas that Abertay University does not, including Economics, History, Mathematics, Agriculture & Land Management, Chemistry, English Literature, Philosophy, Business Studies and 41 more.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.