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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
Loughborough University

Loughborough · QS World #203

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.

6/11

Loughborough

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

5/11

Reading

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Loughborough University leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Reading is ahead on ranking, established, employment, courses.

Loughborough University vs University of Reading at a glance

Loughborough University and University of Reading both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics and Mathematics. Loughborough University offers 416 courses across 63 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,750 a year at Loughborough University and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £3,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at Loughborough University and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £3,050 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Loughborough University is higher in 16 and University of Reading in 6. The widest gap is in Building & Construction: £43,500 three years after graduating from Loughborough University, against £36,500 from University of Reading. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Loughborough University is higher in 7 and University of Reading in 6, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#203
QS World
#196
#301
THE World
#201
#11
Guardian UK
#33
1909
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.

Loughborough University

University of Reading

87.6%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£41,200
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.4%
18%

International

International student share

416
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

36
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.

Loughborough

90 countries · 18.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China24.7%
  • 🇮🇳India13.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.6%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates3.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.4%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

42 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.

Loughborough University

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Civil Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Sociology & Criminology, Marketing, English Literature, Geology & Earth Sciences, Information & Library Studies, Media & Film Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Accounting, Ancient Languages, Biomedical Engineering, Planning & Housing, Fine Art, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Education Studies, Architecture, Biology, Pharmacology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Human Resource Management, Social Sciences (General), Biotechnology, Film Production & Cinematography, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Loughborough 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

Loughborough University
£29,750
University of Reading
£25,850

University of Reading is about £3,900 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Loughborough University
£29,500
University of Reading
£26,450

University of Reading is about £3,050 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.

Loughborough University

University of Reading

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £43,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £37,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    88%Satisfaction82%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    86%Satisfaction76%

  • Design & Fashion

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    85%Satisfaction77%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    No dataSatisfaction92%

  • Management

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    No dataSatisfaction81%

  • Building & Construction

    £43,500Salary (3 years)£36,500
    No dataSatisfaction90%

  • History

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    No dataSatisfaction95%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Business Studies

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    88%Satisfaction79%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Loughborough University

Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowships

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

Care Leaver's Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Impact Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Inspiring Success Scholarship

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Loughborough University vs University of Reading: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,750 a year at Loughborough University and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £3,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at Loughborough University and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £3,050 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 Loughborough University and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Chemistry, Politics & International Relations, Management, Building & Construction, History, Psychology (General) and 30 more.

Is Loughborough University or University of Reading better for Finance & Actuarial Science?

Finance & Actuarial Science graduates earn a median £43,000 three years after graduating from Loughborough University, and £38,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Loughborough University and 83% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Loughborough University or University of Reading offer more courses?

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and Loughborough University lists 416 courses.

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

Loughborough University teaches 21 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Physics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, English Studies, General Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and 13 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 28 subject areas that Loughborough University does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Philosophy, Food Science, Archaeology, Teacher Training, Biological Sciences (General), Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology & Cell Biology and 20 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

L
Loughborough University416 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses