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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.

Q
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #1201

U
University of Reading

Reading · QS World #196

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/8

Queen Margaret

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

3/8

Reading

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (established, satisfaction, employment, international, scholarship). University of Reading is ahead on ranking, graduate salary, courses.

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh vs University of Reading at a glance

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and University of Reading both teach 16 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science and Marketing. Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh offers 68 courses across 25 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,460 a year at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and £26,450 at University of Reading: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £7,990 a year cheaper.

Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 8 and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh in 0. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £22,000 three years after graduating from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, against £35,500 from University of Reading. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 6 and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1201
QS World
#196
—
THE World
#201
—
Guardian UK
#33
1875
Established
1892
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

University of Reading

89.4%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£28,300
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

88.1%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18.6%
18%

International

International student share

68
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
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.

Queen Margaret

51 countries · 18.6% international

  • 🇮🇪Ireland29%
  • 🌐Nepal9.8%
  • 🇨🇦Canada8.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria6.1%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.5%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

16 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.

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation.

Only at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

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

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
No data
University of Reading
£25,850

We do not have reliable international fee data for Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh yet.

Postgraduate

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
£18,460
University of Reading
£26,450

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £7,990 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.

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

University of Reading

  • Business & Management (General)

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    92%Satisfaction77%

  • Marketing

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    76%Satisfaction76%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Teacher Training

    No dataSalary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction77%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Nutrition & Dietetics

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    94%Satisfaction96%

  • Design & Fashion

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Education Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£29,000
    88%Satisfaction97%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    99%Satisfaction67%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)No data
    88%Satisfaction91%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

Scottish Highlands & Islands Schools Scholarship

£500

Deadline: Jun 2026

Alison Scott Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

The Alison Scott 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

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh vs University of Reading: common questions

Is Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of Reading cheaper for international students?

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,460 a year at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and £26,450 at University of Reading: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £7,990 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 Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 16 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Marketing, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Politics & International Relations, Teacher Training, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Nutrition & Dietetics, Sociology & Criminology, Design & Fashion, Education Studies and 4 more.

Is Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of Reading better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £22,000 three years after graduating from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, and £35,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and 77% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh or University of Reading offer more courses?

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh lists 68 courses.

What can you study at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh but not at University of Reading?

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh teaches 9 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Cultural Studies, Medical Imaging, Clinical Specialities, Health & Social Care, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 1 more.

What can you study at University of Reading but not at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh?

University of Reading teaches 54 subject areas that Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh does not, including Economics, Building & Construction, History, Law, Mathematics, Agriculture & Land Management, Chemistry, English Literature and 46 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

Q
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh68 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses