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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.

S
SOAS University of London

London · QS World #458

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.

2/10

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Reading

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Reading leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). SOAS University of London is ahead on international, scholarship.

SOAS University of London vs University of Reading at a glance

SOAS University of London and University of Reading both teach 21 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies and Economics. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £25,850 at University of Reading: SOAS University of London is about £2,070 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £26,450 at University of Reading: SOAS University of London is about £1,130 a year cheaper.

Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 6 and University of Reading in 5. The widest gap is in Accounting: £27,500 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £39,000 from University of Reading. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, SOAS University of London is higher in 5 and University of Reading in 5, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#458
QS World
#196
#401
THE World
#201
#86
Guardian UK
#33
1916
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.

SOAS University of London

University of Reading

84.1%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
18%

International

International student share

296
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
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.

SOAS University of London

67 countries · 25.7% international

  • 🇨🇳China10.9%
  • 🇮🇳India10.6%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.6%
  • 🇫🇷France3.6%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

21 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.

SOAS University of London

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Biological Sciences (General), Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Linguistics, Social Sciences (General), Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at SOAS University of London

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

SOAS University of London
£23,780
University of Reading
£25,850

SOAS University of London is about £2,070 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
University of Reading
£26,450

SOAS University of London is about £1,130 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.

SOAS University of London

University of Reading

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • Economics

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    83%Satisfaction82%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£35,500
    82%Satisfaction77%

  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    77%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Philosophy

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    73%Satisfaction81%

  • History of Art & Design

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    97%Satisfaction94%

  • International Development

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    83%Satisfaction95%

  • Accounting

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

SOAS University of London

SOAS International Academic Excellence Scholarship

£20,000

Deadline: May 2026

SOAS Sustainable Development Goal Scholarship

£15,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

SOAS Academic Excellence Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: May 2026

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

SOAS University of London vs University of Reading: common questions

Is SOAS University of London or University of Reading cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £25,850 at University of Reading: SOAS University of London is about £2,070 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £26,450 at University of Reading: SOAS University of London is about £1,130 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 SOAS University of London and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 21 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, Economics, Ancient Languages, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Law, History, Philosophy, Sociology & Criminology, Management, History of Art & Design and 9 more.

Is SOAS University of London or University of Reading better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £27,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at SOAS University of London and 92% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does SOAS University of London or University of Reading offer more courses?

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and SOAS University of London lists 296 courses.

What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at University of Reading?

SOAS University of London teaches 8 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), Music, Theology & Religious Studies, Cultural Studies and Liberal Arts.

What can you study at University of Reading but not at SOAS University of London?

University of Reading teaches 49 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Building & Construction, Marketing, Mathematics, Psychology (General), Agriculture & Land Management, Chemistry, English Literature, Business Studies and 41 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

S
SOAS University of London296 courses · 27 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses