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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.

N
Northumbria University, Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne · QS World #528

U
University of Reading

Reading · QS World #196

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/10

Northumbria

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Reading

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Reading leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses). Northumbria University, Newcastle is ahead on employment, international, scholarship.

Northumbria University, Newcastle vs University of Reading at a glance

Northumbria University, Newcastle and University of Reading both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science and Business & Management (General). Northumbria University, Newcastle offers 305 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £25,850 at University of Reading: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £6,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £26,450 at University of Reading: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £6,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 28 and Northumbria University, Newcastle in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Architecture: £21,500 three years after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle, against £36,500 from University of Reading. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 16 and Northumbria University, Newcastle in 13, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#528
QS World
#196
#401
THE World
#201
#53
Guardian UK
#33
1969
Established
1892
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Northumbria University, Newcastle

University of Reading

83.5%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£31,000
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.1%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.5%
18%

International

International student share

305
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

7
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.

Northumbria

85 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India35.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.3%
  • 🌐Kuwait4%
  • 🇨🇳China3.8%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.8%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

43 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.

Northumbria University, Newcastle

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Sport & Exercise Sciences, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Accounting, Teacher Training, Nutrition & Dietetics, Physical Geography & Climate, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Civil Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Fine Art, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Media & Film Studies, Architecture, Biochemistry, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Education Studies, English Language, Drama & Theatre, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biology, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Clinical & Health Psychology, Linguistics.

Only at Northumbria University, Newcastle

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

Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850
University of Reading
£25,850

Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £6,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850
University of Reading
£26,450

Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £6,600 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.

Northumbria University, Newcastle

University of Reading

  • Business Studies

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    83%Satisfaction79%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    77%Satisfaction77%

  • Design & Fashion

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    70%Satisfaction82%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    73%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    87%Satisfaction76%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    98%Satisfaction95%

  • Building & Construction

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£36,500
    81%Satisfaction90%

  • English Literature

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    94%Satisfaction91%

  • Marketing

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    79%Satisfaction76%

  • Mathematics

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    85%Satisfaction86%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Northumbria University, Newcastle

2025/26 PGT Sanctuary Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

2025/26 UG Sanctuary Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Castle Peak Postgraduate Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

GEMS Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Horiba Foundation UK Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Northumbria University, Newcastle vs University of Reading: common questions

Is Northumbria University, Newcastle or University of Reading cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £25,850 at University of Reading: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £6,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,850 a year at Northumbria University, Newcastle and £26,450 at University of Reading: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £6,600 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 Northumbria University, Newcastle and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Economics, Law, Computer Science, History, Building & Construction, English Literature, Marketing, Mathematics and 31 more.

Is Northumbria University, Newcastle or University of Reading better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £26,000 three years after graduating from Northumbria University, Newcastle, and £39,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Northumbria University, Newcastle and 79% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Northumbria University, Newcastle or University of Reading offer more courses?

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and Northumbria University, Newcastle lists 305 courses.

What can you study at Northumbria University, Newcastle but not at University of Reading?

Northumbria University, Newcastle teaches 28 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Social Work, Mechanical Engineering, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Studies, Forensic Science and 20 more.

What can you study at University of Reading but not at Northumbria University, Newcastle?

University of Reading teaches 27 subject areas that Northumbria University, Newcastle does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Philosophy, Management, Food Science, Information & Library Studies, Ancient Languages, Archaeology, Biological Sciences (General) and 19 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

N
Northumbria University, Newcastle305 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses