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.

K
Kingston University

London · QS World #686

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.

3/11

Kingston

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

Reading

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Reading leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Kingston University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, international.

Kingston University vs University of Reading at a glance

Kingston University and University of Reading both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Building & Construction and Economics. Kingston University offers 390 courses across 67 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Kingston University and £25,850 at University of Reading: Kingston University is about £7,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at Kingston University and £26,450 at University of Reading: Kingston University is about £7,550 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 21 and Kingston University in 6. The widest gap is in Accounting: £24,500 three years after graduating from Kingston University, against £39,000 from University of Reading. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 17 and Kingston University in 10, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#686
QS World
#196
#801
THE World
#201
#67
Guardian UK
#33
1899
Established
1892
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Kingston University

University of Reading

85.4%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£31,900
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.9%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

21.9%
18%

International

International student share

390
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.

Kingston

91 countries · 21.9% international

  • 🇮🇳India24.1%
  • 🇨🇳China23.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.5%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan3.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States3.2%
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.

Kingston University

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Management, Accounting, Biological Sciences (General), Computer Science, Education Studies, Pharmacy, Teacher Training, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Information & Library Studies, Architecture, Biochemistry, Creative Writing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Media & Film Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Fine Art, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Pharmacology, Drama & Theatre, Human Resource Management.

Only at Kingston 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

Kingston University
£18,500
University of Reading
£25,850

Kingston University is about £7,350 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Kingston University
£18,900
University of Reading
£26,450

Kingston University is about £7,550 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.

Kingston University

University of Reading

  • Business & Management (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£35,500
    81%Satisfaction77%

  • Building & Construction

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£36,500
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    78%Satisfaction82%

  • Design & Fashion

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • Chemistry

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    81%Satisfaction77%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Marketing

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    83%Satisfaction76%

  • Business Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£39,500
    71%Satisfaction79%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    81%Satisfaction96%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Civil Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    94%Satisfaction98%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Kingston University

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Kingston University vs University of Reading: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Kingston University and £25,850 at University of Reading: Kingston University is about £7,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,900 a year at Kingston University and £26,450 at University of Reading: Kingston University is about £7,550 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 Kingston University and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 39 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Building & Construction, Economics, Design & Fashion, Finance & Actuarial Science, Law, Chemistry, Psychology (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Marketing, Business Studies, Sociology & Criminology and 27 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £25,500 three years after graduating from Kingston University, and £35,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Kingston University and 77% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Kingston University or University of Reading offer more courses?

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and Kingston University lists 390 courses.

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

Kingston University teaches 28 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Psychology, Midwifery, Games Design & Computer Animation, Creative Arts (General), Forensic Science, Music and 20 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 31 subject areas that Kingston University does not, including History, Mathematics, Agriculture & Land Management, Politics & International Relations, English Literature, Philosophy, Food Science, Ancient Languages and 23 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

K
Kingston University390 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses