Skip to main content

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.

E
Edinburgh Napier University

Edinburgh · 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.

3/10

Edinburgh Napier

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Reading

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Reading leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses). Edinburgh Napier University is ahead on employment, international, scholarship.

Edinburgh Napier University vs University of Reading at a glance

Edinburgh Napier University and University of Reading both teach 29 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science and Marketing. Edinburgh Napier University offers 199 courses across 53 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,310 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £25,850 at University of Reading: Edinburgh Napier University is about £5,540 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,540 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £26,450 at University of Reading: Edinburgh Napier University is about £5,910 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 15 and Edinburgh Napier University in 2, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £23,500 three years after graduating from Edinburgh Napier University, against £39,000 from University of Reading. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 10 and Edinburgh Napier University in 9, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
#196
#601
THE World
#201
#57
Guardian UK
#33
1964
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.

Edinburgh Napier University

University of Reading

84.3%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£32,100
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.1%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

27.5%
18%

International

International student share

199
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

29
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.

Edinburgh Napier

70 countries · 27.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India30.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.5%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria13.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States5.3%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4.2%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

29 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.

Edinburgh Napier University

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Film Production & Cinematography, Biological Sciences (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Creative Writing, Drama & Theatre, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Human Resource Management, Media & Film Studies, Architecture, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Social Sciences (General), Social Policy & Public Policy.

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

Edinburgh Napier University
£20,310
University of Reading
£25,850

Edinburgh Napier University is about £5,540 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Edinburgh Napier University
£20,540
University of Reading
£26,450

Edinburgh Napier University is about £5,910 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.

Edinburgh Napier University

University of Reading

  • Business & Management (General)

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    79%Satisfaction77%
  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    79%Satisfaction83%
  • Marketing

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    85%Satisfaction76%
  • Building & Construction

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£36,500
    71%Satisfaction90%
  • Management

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    76%Satisfaction81%
  • Business Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£39,500
    79%Satisfaction79%
  • Design & Fashion

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    89%Satisfaction93%
  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    83%Satisfaction86%
  • Computer Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    84%Satisfaction76%
  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction83%
  • Accounting

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    83%Satisfaction86%
  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    98%Satisfaction85%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Edinburgh Napier University

OAS Craiglockhart Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

WSP and Dodyk Scholarship

£16,875

Deadline: N/A

Hong Kong Scholarship Trust

£16,000

Deadline: Apr 2027

Carnegie Masters Grant

£10,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Data and AI Scholarships with The Data Lab

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Edinburgh Napier University vs University of Reading: common questions

Is Edinburgh Napier University or University of Reading cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,310 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £25,850 at University of Reading: Edinburgh Napier University is about £5,540 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,540 a year at Edinburgh Napier University and £26,450 at University of Reading: Edinburgh Napier University is about £5,910 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 Edinburgh Napier University and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 29 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Marketing, Building & Construction, Management, Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Law, Computer Science, Psychology (General), Teacher Training, Accounting and 17 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £36,000 three years after graduating from Edinburgh Napier University, and £35,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 79% at Edinburgh Napier University and 77% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Edinburgh Napier University or University of Reading offer more courses?

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and Edinburgh Napier University lists 199 courses.

What can you study at Edinburgh Napier University but not at University of Reading?

Edinburgh Napier University teaches 24 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Mechanical Engineering, Information Systems & Data Science, Journalism, Music, Software Engineering, English Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation and 16 more.

What can you study at University of Reading but not at Edinburgh Napier University?

University of Reading teaches 41 subject areas that Edinburgh Napier University does not, including Economics, History, Mathematics, Agriculture & Land Management, Politics & International Relations, Chemistry, English Literature, Philosophy and 33 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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