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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.

C
Cardiff University

Cardiff · QS World #179

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.

5/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

5/10

Reading

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University and University of Reading are evenly matched: each leads in 5 of 10 categories where both have data. Cardiff University is ahead on ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, graduate salary; University of Reading on ranking, employment, international, courses, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs University of Reading at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Reading both teach 48 subject areas, the largest being Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics and Business & Management (General). Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £4,850 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £26,450 at University of Reading: Cardiff University is about £500 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 20 and Cardiff University in 5, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £28,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £39,000 from University of Reading. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 17 and Cardiff University in 8, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#196
#201
THE World
#201
#34
Guardian UK
#33
1883
Established
1892
Yes
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.

Cardiff University

University of Reading

86.3%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
18%

International

International student share

362
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.

Cardiff

89 countries · 16% international

  • 🇨🇳China22.8%
  • 🇮🇳India14.5%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia7.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

48 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.

Cardiff University

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Biological Sciences (General), English Literature, Ancient Languages, Marketing, Philosophy, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Accounting, Archaeology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Design & Fashion, Pharmacy, Social Sciences (General), Architecture, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Planning & Housing, Biomedical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Language, Environmental Sciences, Education Studies, Human Resource Management, Media & Film Studies, Pharmacology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Creative Writing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biotechnology, Film Production & Cinematography, Linguistics.

Only at Cardiff 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

Cardiff University
£30,700
University of Reading
£25,850

University of Reading is about £4,850 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Reading
£26,450

Cardiff University is about £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.

Cardiff University

University of Reading

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    80%Satisfaction82%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    94%Satisfaction77%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    79%Satisfaction81%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    80%Satisfaction98%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction95%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    70%Satisfaction76%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    95%Satisfaction91%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    82%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 27 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Reading: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £4,850 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £26,450 at University of Reading: Cardiff University is about £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 Cardiff University and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 48 subject areas: Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics, Business & Management (General), Law, Mathematics, Chemistry, Management, Politics & International Relations, Civil Engineering, History, Building & Construction, Computer Science and 36 more.

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

Finance & Actuarial Science graduates earn a median £31,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £38,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Cardiff University and 83% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Reading offer more courses?

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 38 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Journalism, Welsh Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, General Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Music and 30 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 22 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Food Science, Information & Library Studies, Teacher Training, Nutrition & Dietetics, Biochemistry, Ecology & Conservation, Fine Art and 14 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses