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.

S
Southampton, Solent University

Southampton

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.

4/8

Southampton

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

4/8

Reading

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Southampton, Solent University and University of Reading are evenly matched: each leads in 4 of 8 categories where both have data. Southampton, Solent University is ahead on TEF, established, satisfaction, scholarship; University of Reading on employment, international, graduate salary, courses.

Southampton, Solent University vs University of Reading at a glance

Southampton, Solent University and University of Reading both teach 25 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion and Finance & Actuarial Science. Southampton, Solent University offers 294 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,080 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £25,850 at University of Reading: Southampton, Solent University is about £6,770 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,350 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £26,450 at University of Reading: Southampton, Solent University is about £8,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 16 and Southampton, Solent University in 0. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £22,500 three years after graduating from Southampton, Solent University, against £39,500 from University of Reading. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Southampton, Solent University is higher in 11 and University of Reading in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#196
—
THE World
#201
—
Guardian UK
#33
1855
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.

Southampton, Solent University

University of Reading

88.2%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£28,100
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.5%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.9%
18%

International

International student share

294
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
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.

Southampton

56 countries · 14.9% international

  • 🇮🇳India39%
  • 🇳🇴Norway6.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.3%
  • 🌐Morocco2.4%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

25 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.

Southampton, Solent University

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Social Sciences (General), Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Architecture, Fine Art, Education Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Drama & Theatre.

Only at Southampton, Solent 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

Southampton, Solent University
£19,080
University of Reading
£25,850

Southampton, Solent University is about £6,770 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Southampton, Solent University
£18,350
University of Reading
£26,450

Southampton, Solent University is about £8,100 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.

Southampton, Solent University

University of Reading

  • Business & Management (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£35,500
    87%Satisfaction77%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • Business Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£39,500
    93%Satisfaction79%

  • Law

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction86%

  • Building & Construction

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£36,500
    97%Satisfaction90%

  • Accounting

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    No dataSatisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction96%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    84%Satisfaction76%

  • Management

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    87%Satisfaction81%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    82%Satisfaction75%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Southampton, Solent University

Solent Postgraduate Taught International Excellence Scholarship

£1,500

Deadline: N/A

Carers Bursary

£1,200

Deadline: Jun 2026

Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman, Boater community bursary

£500

Deadline: Jun 2026

Undergraduate Apprenticeship Bursary

£200

Deadline: Jun 2026

Parents bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Southampton, Solent University vs University of Reading: common questions

Is Southampton, Solent University or University of Reading cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,080 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £25,850 at University of Reading: Southampton, Solent University is about £6,770 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,350 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £26,450 at University of Reading: Southampton, Solent University is about £8,100 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 Southampton, Solent University and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 25 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies, Law, Building & Construction, Accounting, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Computer Science, Management and 13 more.

Is Southampton, Solent University or University of Reading better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Southampton, Solent University, and £35,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Southampton, Solent University and 77% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Southampton, Solent University or University of Reading offer more courses?

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and Southampton, Solent University lists 294 courses.

What can you study at Southampton, Solent University but not at University of Reading?

Southampton, Solent University teaches 17 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Music, Software Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Mechanical Engineering, Journalism, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Technology & Logistics and 9 more.

What can you study at University of Reading but not at Southampton, Solent University?

University of Reading teaches 45 subject areas that Southampton, Solent University does not, including Economics, History, Agriculture & Land Management, Chemistry, English Literature, Philosophy, Food Science, Information & Library Studies and 37 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

S
Southampton, Solent University294 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses