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.
Glasgow
Reading · QS World #196
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 7 datapoints
We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
3/7
Glasgow School of Art
scored higher in 3 categories
4/7
Reading
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Reading leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). Glasgow School of Art is ahead on established, international, scholarship.
Glasgow School of Art vs University of Reading at a glance
Glasgow School of Art and University of Reading both teach 5 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Fine Art and Architecture. Glasgow School of Art offers 40 courses across 12 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,350 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £25,850 at University of Reading: Glasgow School of Art is about £1,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,900 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £26,450 at University of Reading: Glasgow School of Art is about £550 a year cheaper.
Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 4 and Glasgow School of Art in 0. The widest gap is in Architecture: £25,500 three years after graduating from Glasgow School of Art, against £36,500 from University of Reading. Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 3 and Glasgow School of Art in 2.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Glasgow School of Art
University of Reading
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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.
Glasgow School of Art
33 countries · 36.6% international
- 🇨🇳China64.4%
- 🇺🇸United States5.3%
- 🇮🇳India3.8%
- 🌐Korea (South)2.9%
- 🇫🇷France1.4%
Reading
96 countries · 18% international
- 🇨🇳China26%
- 🇮🇳India6.9%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria4.2%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia3.9%
Subjects
5 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.
Glasgow School of Art
University of Reading
Design & Fashion
15 coursesTypical fee £24,350 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £25,850 (UG)
Fine Art
Architecture
Film Production & Cinematography
History of Art & Design
Only at Glasgow School of Art
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
- Glasgow School of Art
- £24,350
- University of Reading
- £25,850
Glasgow School of Art is about £1,500 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Glasgow School of Art
- £25,900
- University of Reading
- £26,450
Glasgow School of Art is about £550 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.
Glasgow School of Art
University of Reading
Design & Fashion
£21,500Salary (3 years)£26,00083%Satisfaction93%Fine Art
£16,500Salary (3 years)£20,00074%Satisfaction81%Architecture
£25,500Salary (3 years)£36,50090%Satisfaction89%Film Production & Cinematography
£19,000Salary (3 years)£22,50084%Satisfaction75%History of Art & Design
No dataSalary (3 years)£23,00089%Satisfaction94%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveGlasgow School of Art
GSA Financial Support Scholarships 2026/27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
GSA International Merit Scholarships 2026/27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
International Foundation Scholarships 2026-27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
Mackintosh School of Architecture Scholarships 2026-27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
School of Design Scholarships 2026-27
See details
Deadline: May 2026
University of Reading
The Sporting Excellence Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Glasgow School of Art vs University of Reading: common questions
Is Glasgow School of Art or University of Reading cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,350 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £25,850 at University of Reading: Glasgow School of Art is about £1,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,900 a year at Glasgow School of Art and £26,450 at University of Reading: Glasgow School of Art is about £550 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 Glasgow School of Art and University of Reading?
Both universities teach 5 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Fine Art, Architecture, Film Production & Cinematography and History of Art & Design.
Is Glasgow School of Art or University of Reading better for Design & Fashion?
Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £21,500 three years after graduating from Glasgow School of Art, and £26,000 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Glasgow School of Art and 93% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Glasgow School of Art or University of Reading offer more courses?
University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and Glasgow School of Art lists 40 courses.
What can you study at Glasgow School of Art but not at University of Reading?
Glasgow School of Art teaches 7 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Applied Computing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Anatomy & Pathology, Computing & IT, Creative Arts (General), Games Design & Computer Animation and General Engineering.
What can you study at University of Reading but not at Glasgow School of Art?
University of Reading teaches 65 subject areas that Glasgow School of Art does not, including Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics, Business & Management (General), Building & Construction, History, Law, Marketing, Mathematics and 57 more.
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