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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
Bournemouth University

Poole · QS World #801

U
University of Reading

Reading · QS World #196

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/10

Bournemouth

scored higher in 1 category

VS

9/10

Reading

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Reading leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Bournemouth University is ahead on employment.

Bournemouth University vs University of Reading at a glance

Bournemouth University and University of Reading both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science and Economics. Bournemouth University offers 225 courses across 59 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £25,850 at University of Reading: Bournemouth University is about £5,160 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £26,450 at University of Reading: Bournemouth University is about £6,760 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 13 and Bournemouth University in 5. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £29,500 three years after graduating from Bournemouth University, against £38,500 from University of Reading. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 15 and Bournemouth University in 3, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
#196
#401
THE World
#201
#59
Guardian UK
#33
1992
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.

Bournemouth University

University of Reading

80.8%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£33,600
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.4%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.4%
18%

International

International student share

225
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.

Bournemouth

73 countries · 16.4% international

  • 🇮🇳India27.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria13.8%
  • 🇨🇳China10.5%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia6.5%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey5.6%
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.

Bournemouth University

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Archaeology, Biological Sciences (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Teacher Training, Human Geography & Environment, Nutrition & Dietetics, Environmental Sciences, Creative Writing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Sciences (General).

Only at Bournemouth 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

Bournemouth University
£20,690
University of Reading
£25,850

Bournemouth University is about £5,160 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Bournemouth University
£19,690
University of Reading
£26,450

Bournemouth University is about £6,760 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.

Bournemouth University

University of Reading

  • Business & Management (General)

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£35,500
    61%Satisfaction77%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    78%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    78%Satisfaction82%

  • Law

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • Marketing

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    80%Satisfaction76%

  • History

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    77%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    73%Satisfaction76%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    83%Satisfaction96%

  • Design & Fashion

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    80%Satisfaction93%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    72%Satisfaction75%

  • Accounting

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Bournemouth University

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Bournemouth University vs University of Reading: common questions

Is Bournemouth University or University of Reading cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £25,850 at University of Reading: Bournemouth University is about £5,160 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £26,450 at University of Reading: Bournemouth University is about £6,760 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 Bournemouth University and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 30 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics, Law, Marketing, History, Psychology (General), Computer Science, Management, Sociology & Criminology, Design & Fashion, Politics & International Relations and 18 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £28,500 three years after graduating from Bournemouth University, and £35,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 61% at Bournemouth University and 77% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Bournemouth University or University of Reading offer more courses?

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and Bournemouth University lists 225 courses.

What can you study at Bournemouth University but not at University of Reading?

Bournemouth University teaches 29 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Applied Computing, Games Design & Computer Animation, Journalism, Software Engineering, Business Information Systems, Forensic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering and 21 more.

What can you study at University of Reading but not at Bournemouth University?

University of Reading teaches 40 subject areas that Bournemouth University does not, including Building & Construction, Mathematics, Agriculture & Land Management, Chemistry, English Literature, Philosophy, Business Studies, Food Science and 32 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

B
Bournemouth University225 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses