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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.

L
Lancaster University

Lancaster · QS World #164

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.

8/11

Lancaster

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Reading

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Lancaster University vs University of Reading at a glance

Lancaster University and University of Reading both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Mathematics and Economics. Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £2,830 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £26,450 at University of Reading: Lancaster University is about £2,150 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 17 and Lancaster University in 9, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Pharmacology: £25,500 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, against £35,000 from University of Reading. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 17 and University of Reading in 10, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#164
QS World
#196
#184
THE World
#201
#10
Guardian UK
#33
1964
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.

Lancaster University

University of Reading

88.5%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.1%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.4%
18%

International

International student share

526
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
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.

Lancaster

83 countries · 22.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China41.1%
  • 🇮🇳India9.8%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.9%
  • 🇪🇸Spain3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

45 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.

Lancaster University

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Human Geography & Environment, Psychology (General), Building & Construction, Media & Film Studies, Environmental Sciences, Accounting, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Biological Sciences (General), Ecology & Conservation, Fine Art, Management, Biochemistry, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Language, Pharmacology, Ancient Languages, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Zoology & Animal Biology, Architecture, Drama & Theatre, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Civil Engineering, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Clinical & Health Psychology, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Lancaster 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

Lancaster University
£28,680
University of Reading
£25,850

University of Reading is about £2,830 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Lancaster University
£24,300
University of Reading
£26,450

Lancaster University is about £2,150 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.

Lancaster University

University of Reading

  • Business & Management (General)

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    82%Satisfaction77%

  • Mathematics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    86%Satisfaction82%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    92%Satisfaction96%

  • Marketing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction76%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Chemistry

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    100%Satisfaction77%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    80%Satisfaction76%

Showing the 12 largest of 31 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Lancaster University

India Scholarship – Postgraduate

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

LPDP Scholarship 2026

100%

Deadline: N/A

Lancaster Sanctuary Fellowship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Master's Scholarship for Black British Students

100%

Deadline: N/A

Fulgoni Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Lancaster University vs University of Reading: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,680 a year at Lancaster University and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £2,830 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,300 a year at Lancaster University and £26,450 at University of Reading: Lancaster University is about £2,150 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 Lancaster University and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Economics, Politics & International Relations, Finance & Actuarial Science, Law, Biomedical Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Marketing, History, Chemistry, Computer Science and 33 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Lancaster University, and £35,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Lancaster University and 77% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Lancaster University or University of Reading offer more courses?

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and University of Reading lists 448 courses.

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

Lancaster University teaches 26 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Physics, Chemical Engineering, General Engineering, Geography (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operational Research, Statistics and 18 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 25 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Food Science, Information & Library Studies, Archaeology, Teacher Training, Geology & Earth Sciences, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Nutrition & Dietetics and 17 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

L
Lancaster University526 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses