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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
Birmingham City University

Birmingham · QS World #1001

U
University of Reading

Reading · QS World #196

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 3 datapoints

We looked at 3 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/3

Birmingham City

scored higher in 1 category

VS

2/3

Reading

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Reading leads in 2 of 3 categories where both have data (ranking, courses). Birmingham City University is ahead on scholarship.

Birmingham City University vs University of Reading at a glance

Birmingham City University and University of Reading both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science and Business & Management (General). Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £25,850 at University of Reading: Birmingham City University is about £7,280 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 22 and Birmingham City University in 2. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £22,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £39,500 from University of Reading. Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 14 and Birmingham City University in 10, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#196
—
THE World
#201
—
Guardian UK
#33
N/A
Established
1892
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Birmingham City University

University of Reading

No data
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
18%

International

International student share

284
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
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.

Birmingham City

No published data on international students

    VS

    Reading

    96 countries · 18% international

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

    Subjects

    37 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.

    Birmingham City University

    University of Reading

    Also taught at both: English Literature, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biomedical Sciences, Fine Art, Management, Teacher Training, Civil Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies, Architecture, Education Studies, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Nutrition & Dietetics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biochemistry, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, English Language, Creative Writing, Drama & Theatre, Human Resource Management, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation.

    Only at Birmingham City 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

    Birmingham City University
    £18,570
    University of Reading
    £25,850

    Birmingham City University is about £7,280 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    University of Reading
    £26,450

    We do not have reliable international fee data for Birmingham City University yet.

    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.

    Birmingham City University

    University of Reading

    • Finance & Actuarial Science

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
      80%Satisfaction83%

    • Business & Management (General)

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
      83%Satisfaction77%

    • Building & Construction

      £29,500Salary (3 years)£36,500
      84%Satisfaction90%

    • Design & Fashion

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
      92%Satisfaction93%

    • Economics

      £24,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
      77%Satisfaction82%

    • Marketing

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
      92%Satisfaction76%

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
      80%Satisfaction86%

    • Business Studies

      £22,500Salary (3 years)£39,500
      85%Satisfaction79%

    • Psychology (General)

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
      79%Satisfaction83%

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
      89%Satisfaction96%

    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
      78%Satisfaction76%

    • Accounting

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
      74%Satisfaction86%

    Showing the 12 largest of 25 shared subjects with published outcomes.

    Scholarships for International Students

    Exclusive

    Birmingham City University

    Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Millennium Point Scholarship

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Scott Trust Bursary

    £7,415

    Deadline: N/A

    Santander 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

    Birmingham City University vs University of Reading: common questions

    Is Birmingham City University or University of Reading cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £25,850 at University of Reading: Birmingham City University is about £7,280 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 Birmingham City University and University of Reading?

    Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General), Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Economics, Marketing, Law, Business Studies, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science and 25 more.

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

    Finance & Actuarial Science graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £38,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at Birmingham City University and 83% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Birmingham City University or University of Reading offer more courses?

    University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

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

    Birmingham City University teaches 31 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Nursing (General), Games Design & Computer Animation, Health & Social Care, Software Engineering, Journalism, Community & Specialist Nursing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Information Systems & Data Science and 23 more.

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

    University of Reading teaches 33 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including History, Agriculture & Land Management, Chemistry, Philosophy, Food Science, Information & Library Studies, Ancient Languages, Archaeology and 25 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

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

    B
    Birmingham City University284 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
    U
    University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses