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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.

A
Aston University, Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #416

U
University of Reading

Reading · QS World #196

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/11

Aston

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Reading

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Reading leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, courses, scholarship). Aston University, Birmingham is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, international, graduate salary.

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Reading at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and University of Reading both teach 32 subject areas, the largest being Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics and Business Studies. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £25,850 at University of Reading: Aston University, Birmingham is about £3,270 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £26,450 at University of Reading: Aston University, Birmingham is about £2,450 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 10 and Aston University, Birmingham in 7, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £29,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £39,000 from University of Reading. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 10 and University of Reading in 7, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.

#416
QS World
#196
#401
THE World
#201
#39
Guardian UK
#33
1895
Established
1892
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Aston University, Birmingham

University of Reading

85.2%
85.1%

Satisfaction

Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)

£37,600
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
18%

International

International student share

169
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
1

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.

Aston

67 countries · 22.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India40.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.9%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.2%
  • 🇻🇳Vietnam4%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

  • 🇨🇳China26%
  • 🇮🇳India6.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.2%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.9%

Subjects

32 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.

Aston University, Birmingham

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Accounting, English Language, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences (General), Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Pharmacy, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Human Resource Management, Clinical & Health Psychology, Linguistics, Media & Film Studies, Biotechnology, Social Sciences (General).

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

Only at University of Reading

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

Aston University, Birmingham
£22,580
University of Reading
£25,850

Aston University, Birmingham is about £3,270 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
University of Reading
£26,450

Aston University, Birmingham is about £2,450 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.

Aston University, Birmingham

University of Reading

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    95%Satisfaction82%

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£39,500
    82%Satisfaction79%

  • Building & Construction

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£36,500
    82%Satisfaction90%

  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£25,000
    95%Satisfaction95%

  • Marketing

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    79%Satisfaction76%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    81%Satisfaction92%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction96%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 19 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs University of Reading: common questions

Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Reading cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £25,850 at University of Reading: Aston University, Birmingham is about £3,270 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £26,450 at University of Reading: Aston University, Birmingham is about £2,450 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 Aston University, Birmingham and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 32 subject areas: Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics, Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Building & Construction, History, Marketing, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Law, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology and 20 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or University of Reading better for Finance & Actuarial Science?

Finance & Actuarial Science graduates earn a median £30,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £38,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at Aston University, Birmingham and 83% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Aston University, Birmingham or University of Reading offer more courses?

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at University of Reading?

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 19 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Chemical Engineering, General Engineering, Information Systems & Data Science, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering and 11 more.

What can you study at University of Reading but not at Aston University, Birmingham?

University of Reading teaches 38 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Chemistry, English Literature, Philosophy, Food Science, Information & Library Studies, Ancient Languages, Archaeology and 30 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

A
Aston University, Birmingham169 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses