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.

O
Open University

None · THE World #801

U
University of Reading

Reading · QS World #196

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/9

Open

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

7/9

Reading

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Reading leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Open University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction.

Open University vs University of Reading at a glance

Open University and University of Reading both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), History and Law. Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 18 and Open University in 6, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Sociology & Criminology: £17,000 three years after graduating from Open University, against £31,000 from University of Reading. Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 12 and University of Reading in 11, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#196
#801
THE World
#201
—
Guardian UK
#33
1969
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.

Open University

University of Reading

89.8%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£29,900
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

72.6%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

0.2%
18%

International

International student share

337
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.

Open

25 countries · 0.2% international

  • 🇩🇪Germany8.9%
  • 🌐Cyprus (European Union)6.7%
  • 🇫🇷France6.7%
  • 🇨🇳China4.4%
  • 🇮🇳India4.4%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

40 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.

Open University

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Design & Fashion, English Language, Human Geography & Environment, Management, Ancient Languages, Environmental Sciences, Teacher Training, Accounting, Information & Library Studies, Biomedical Sciences, International Development, Classical Studies, Combined & General Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Human Resource Management, Social Sciences (General), Biology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, History of Art & Design, Linguistics, Creative Writing, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Open 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

Open University
No data
University of Reading
£25,850

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open University yet.

Postgraduate

Open University
No data
University of Reading
£26,450

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open University yet.

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.

Open University

University of Reading

  • Business & Management (General)

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    95%Satisfaction77%

  • History

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    91%Satisfaction76%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    No dataSatisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    89%Satisfaction82%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction96%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Mathematics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    93%Satisfaction86%

  • Philosophy

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    91%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Education Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    89%Satisfaction97%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Open University

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Open University vs University of Reading: common questions

What subjects can you study at both Open University and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Business & Management (General), History, Law, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Mathematics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Philosophy, Politics & International Relations and 28 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £32,000 three years after graduating from Open University, and £35,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at Open University and 77% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Open University or University of Reading offer more courses?

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and Open University lists 337 courses.

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

Open University teaches 28 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Humanities, General Engineering, Social Work, Computing & IT, Physics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Health & Social Care, Software Engineering and 20 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 30 subject areas that Open University does not, including Building & Construction, Marketing, Agriculture & Land Management, Business Studies, Food Science, Archaeology, Biological Sciences (General), Microbiology & Cell Biology and 22 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

O
Open University337 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses