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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.

B
Bath Spa University

Bath · Guardian UK #104

U
University of Reading

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.

3/8

Bath Spa

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

5/8

Reading

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Reading leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, courses). Bath Spa University is ahead on satisfaction, employment, scholarship.

Bath Spa University vs University of Reading at a glance

Bath Spa University and University of Reading both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion and Economics. Bath Spa University offers 249 courses across 45 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,330 a year at Bath Spa University and £25,850 at University of Reading: Bath Spa University is about £7,520 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,760 a year at Bath Spa University and £26,450 at University of Reading: Bath Spa University is about £7,690 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 20 and Bath Spa University in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £25,000 three years after graduating from Bath Spa University, against £39,500 from University of Reading. Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Bath Spa University is higher in 13 and University of Reading in 10, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#196
—
THE World
#201
#104
Guardian UK
#33
1898
Established
1892
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Bath Spa University

University of Reading

86.2%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£27,000
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

85%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

2.7%
18%

International

International student share

249
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

20
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.

Bath Spa

40 countries · 2.7% international

  • 🇷🇴Romania25.3%
  • 🇮🇳India17.7%
  • 🇨🇳China9.5%
  • 🌐Bulgaria5.7%
  • 🇺🇸United States3.8%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

30 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.

Bath Spa University

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Computer Science, Nutrition & Dietetics, Philosophy, Drama & Theatre, Teacher Training, Film Production & Cinematography, Fine Art, Accounting, Biomedical Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Environmental Sciences, Architecture, Biology, Physical Geography & Climate, Human Resource Management.

Only at Bath Spa University

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

Bath Spa University
£18,330
University of Reading
£25,850

Bath Spa University is about £7,520 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Bath Spa University
£18,760
University of Reading
£26,450

Bath Spa University is about £7,690 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.

Bath Spa University

University of Reading

  • Business & Management (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£35,500
    86%Satisfaction77%

  • Design & Fashion

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    84%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    82%Satisfaction82%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    84%Satisfaction96%

  • History

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    99%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Marketing

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction76%

  • Business Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    85%Satisfaction79%

  • English Literature

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Creative Writing

    £18,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 26 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Bath Spa University

Explore It! Launch It! Grow It!

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Recruitment Office Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

MyWorld Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Global Horizons Award

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship

£2,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Bath Spa University vs University of Reading: common questions

Is Bath Spa University or University of Reading cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,330 a year at Bath Spa University and £25,850 at University of Reading: Bath Spa University is about £7,520 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,760 a year at Bath Spa University and £26,450 at University of Reading: Bath Spa University is about £7,690 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 Bath Spa University and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 30 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, History, Law, Marketing, Business Studies, English Literature, Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Creative Writing and 18 more.

Is Bath Spa University or University of Reading better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Bath Spa University, and £35,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at Bath Spa University and 77% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Bath Spa University or University of Reading offer more courses?

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and Bath Spa University lists 249 courses.

What can you study at Bath Spa University but not at University of Reading?

Bath Spa University teaches 15 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Music, Applied Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Dance, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Creative Arts (General), Software Engineering, Applied Computing and 7 more.

What can you study at University of Reading but not at Bath Spa University?

University of Reading teaches 40 subject areas that Bath Spa University does not, including Finance & Actuarial Science, Building & Construction, Mathematics, Agriculture & Land Management, Chemistry, Management, Food Science, Information & Library Studies and 32 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

B
Bath Spa University249 courses · 20 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses