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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.

D
Durham University

Durham · QS World #85

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.

9/11

Durham

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

Reading

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Durham University leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Reading is ahead on employment, courses.

Durham University vs University of Reading at a glance

Durham University and University of Reading both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science and Law. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £5,150 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £4,050 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 20 and University of Reading in 3. The widest gap is in Economics: £42,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £32,500 from University of Reading. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 17 and University of Reading in 5, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#85
QS World
#196
#175
THE World
#201
#6
Guardian UK
#33
1832
Established
1892
Yes
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.

Durham University

University of Reading

90.7%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£43,800
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
18%

International

International student share

278
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

102
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.

Durham

86 countries · 32.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.4%
  • 🇮🇳India5.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.9%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.6%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

39 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.

Durham University

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Accounting, Marketing, Ancient Languages, Geology & Earth Sciences, Classical Studies, English Literature, Human Geography & Environment, Education Studies, Teacher Training, Childhood & Youth Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biochemistry, Biology, Physical Geography & Climate, Civil Engineering, English Language, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, Combined & General Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biotechnology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Social Sciences (General).

Only at Durham 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

Durham University
£31,000
University of Reading
£25,850

University of Reading is about £5,150 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
University of Reading
£26,450

University of Reading is about £4,050 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.

Durham University

University of Reading

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    90%Satisfaction82%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Psychology (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    91%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • History

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Archaeology

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    96%Satisfaction93%

  • Business Studies

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    83%Satisfaction79%

  • Mathematics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Chemistry

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction77%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    87%Satisfaction76%

  • Philosophy

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Durham University

Sir Harry Evans Global Fellowship

£53,333

Deadline: N/A

Durham Inspiring Excellence Scholarships - Undergraduate

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

The Global DBA Scholarships

£25,000

Deadline: Nov 2026

The Mary Ward Postgraduate Scholarship Fund

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

Global Grand Challenges Studentships

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Durham University vs University of Reading: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £5,150 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £4,050 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 Durham University and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 39 subject areas: Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Law, Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Politics & International Relations, History, Archaeology, Business Studies, Mathematics, Chemistry, Computer Science and 27 more.

Is Durham University or University of Reading better for Economics?

Economics graduates earn a median £42,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £32,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Durham University and 82% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or University of Reading offer more courses?

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

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

Durham University teaches 15 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, General Engineering, Anthropology, Natural Sciences, English Studies, Physics, Asian Languages & Studies, Developmental & Educational Psychology and 7 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 31 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Building & Construction, Agriculture & Land Management, Design & Fashion, Food Science, Information & Library Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology & Cell Biology and 23 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

D
Durham University278 courses · 102 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses