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.
Manchester · QS World #600
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
Manchester Metropolitan
scored higher in 3 categories
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, international, graduate salary, courses). Manchester Metropolitan University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, scholarship.
Manchester Metropolitan University vs University of Reading at a glance
Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Reading both teach 52 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General) and Finance & Actuarial Science. Manchester Metropolitan University offers 393 courses across 78 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £25,850 at University of Reading: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £4,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,000 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £26,450 at University of Reading: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £5,450 a year cheaper.
Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 32 and Manchester Metropolitan University in 1. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £23,000 three years after graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University, against £39,500 from University of Reading. Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Manchester Metropolitan University is higher in 21 and University of Reading in 13, with 1 about level.
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.
Manchester Metropolitan University
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.
Manchester Metropolitan
90 countries · 9.3% international
- 🇮🇳India21.7%
- 🇨🇳China10.8%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan7.1%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7%
- 🌐Kuwait5.8%
Reading
96 countries · 18% international
- 🇨🇳China26%
- 🇮🇳India6.9%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria4.2%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia3.9%
Subjects
52 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.
Manchester Metropolitan University
University of Reading
Design & Fashion
42 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £25,850 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
22 coursesTypical fee £25,850 (UG)
Finance & Actuarial Science
4 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
26 coursesTypical fee £30,650 (UG)
Economics
3 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
24 coursesTypical fee £25,850 (UG)
Law
10 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £25,850 (UG)
Business Studies
14 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £30,650 (UG)
History
7 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
16 coursesTypical fee £25,850 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
11 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £25,850 (UG)
Psychology (General)
10 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £30,650 (UG)
Chemistry
9 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £30,650 (UG)
Marketing
6 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £25,850 (UG)
Teacher Training
12 coursesTypical fee £20,000 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £25,850 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
17 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £26,450 (PG)
Building & Construction
1 courseTypical fee £22,000 (PG)
16 coursesTypical fee £31,650 (PG)
Mathematics
5 coursesTypical fee £21,500 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £30,650 (UG)
Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Philosophy, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Media & Film Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Education Studies, Management, Food Science, Information & Library Studies, Accounting, Biology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Human Geography & Environment, Nutrition & Dietetics, Ancient Languages, Fine Art, Architecture, Biological Sciences (General), Computer Science, Environmental Sciences, Linguistics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Zoology & Animal Biology, Animal Science, Creative Writing, Drama & Theatre, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Language, Human Resource Management, Physical Geography & Climate, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Clinical & Health Psychology, History of Art & Design.
Only at Manchester Metropolitan University
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
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- £21,500
- University of Reading
- £25,850
Manchester Metropolitan University is about £4,350 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- £21,000
- University of Reading
- £26,450
Manchester Metropolitan University is about £5,450 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.
Manchester Metropolitan University
University of Reading
Design & Fashion
£19,500Salary (3 years)£26,00087%Satisfaction93%Business & Management (General)
£22,500Salary (3 years)£35,50088%Satisfaction77%Finance & Actuarial Science
£23,500Salary (3 years)£38,50090%Satisfaction83%Economics
£24,500Salary (3 years)£32,50079%Satisfaction82%Law
£19,500Salary (3 years)£27,50092%Satisfaction86%Business Studies
£23,000Salary (3 years)£39,50085%Satisfaction79%History
£21,000Salary (3 years)£25,00087%Satisfaction95%Politics & International Relations
£21,000Salary (3 years)£27,50088%Satisfaction92%Psychology (General)
£20,500Salary (3 years)£24,00088%Satisfaction83%Chemistry
£23,500Salary (3 years)£27,50086%Satisfaction77%Marketing
£23,000Salary (3 years)£29,00087%Satisfaction76%Teacher Training
£26,500Salary (3 years)£27,50093%Satisfaction77%
Showing the 12 largest of 35 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveManchester Metropolitan University
Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust Scholarships
100%
Deadline: May 2026
Doctoral Landscape Awards
100%
Deadline: N/A
Fulbright Scholarship
100%
Deadline: N/A
University of Reading
The Sporting Excellence Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Manchester Metropolitan University vs University of Reading: common questions
Is Manchester Metropolitan University or University of Reading cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £25,850 at University of Reading: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £4,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,000 a year at Manchester Metropolitan University and £26,450 at University of Reading: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £5,450 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 Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Reading?
Both universities teach 52 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics, Law, Business Studies, History, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Chemistry, Marketing, Teacher Training and 40 more.
Is Manchester Metropolitan University or University of Reading better for Design & Fashion?
Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £19,500 three years after graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University, and £26,000 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Manchester Metropolitan University and 93% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Manchester Metropolitan University or University of Reading offer more courses?
University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and Manchester Metropolitan University lists 393 courses.
What can you study at Manchester Metropolitan University but not at University of Reading?
Manchester Metropolitan University teaches 26 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including English Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Games Design & Computer Animation, Anatomy & Pathology, French, Spanish & Portuguese, Mechanical Engineering, Music and 18 more.
What can you study at University of Reading but not at Manchester Metropolitan University?
University of Reading teaches 18 subject areas that Manchester Metropolitan University does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, English Literature, Archaeology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Pharmacy, Biochemistry, Ecology & Conservation, International Development and 10 more.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.