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
Swansea University

Swansea · QS World #322

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.

4/10

Swansea

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

6/10

Reading

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Reading leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary). Swansea University is ahead on ranking, satisfaction, courses, scholarship.

Swansea University vs University of Reading at a glance

Swansea University and University of Reading both teach 56 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Law and Economics. Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £25,850 at University of Reading: Swansea University is about £4,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £26,450 at University of Reading: Swansea University is about £3,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 28 and Swansea University in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £25,500 three years after graduating from Swansea University, against £39,500 from University of Reading. Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Swansea University is higher in 17 and University of Reading in 15, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#322
QS World
#196
#301
THE World
#201
#32
Guardian UK
#33
1920
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.

Swansea University

University of Reading

86.1%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.5%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.1%
18%

International

International student share

916
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
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.

Swansea

73 countries · 14.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India25.4%
  • 🇨🇳China12.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.2%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.9%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

56 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.

Swansea University

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Civil Engineering, Education Studies, Building & Construction, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Philosophy, Biochemistry, Childhood & Youth Studies, Media & Film Studies, Medical Sciences, Marketing, Classical Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Accounting, Archaeology, Biology, Physical Geography & Climate, Ecology & Conservation, Environmental Sciences, English Language, Information & Library Studies, Biomedical Engineering, Design & Fashion, Geology & Earth Sciences, Management, Pharmacology, Zoology & Animal Biology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Pharmacy, Biological Sciences (General), Linguistics, Combined & General Studies, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, International Development, Biotechnology, Planning & Housing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Social Sciences (General), Clinical & Health Psychology.

Only at Swansea 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

Swansea University
£21,550
University of Reading
£25,850

Swansea University is about £4,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Swansea University
£22,950
University of Reading
£26,450

Swansea University is about £3,500 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.

Swansea University

University of Reading

  • Business & Management (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    No dataSatisfaction77%

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    82%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    90%Satisfaction82%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    90%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • Computer Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    84%Satisfaction76%

  • History

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction95%

  • Mathematics

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    87%Satisfaction96%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    97%Satisfaction94%

  • Teacher Training

    No dataSalary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction77%

  • Business Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£39,500
    82%Satisfaction79%

Showing the 12 largest of 36 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Swansea University

History and Heritage Studies: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with Museum Wales (RS950)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with The National Archives (RS948)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship in History with Museum Wales (RS949)

See details

Deadline: N/A

PhD Studentship in Sustainable Fusion Steels: Whole Lifecycle Design of Tokamak Vacuum Vessel Steels (RS964)

See details

Deadline: N/A

Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarships 2025/26

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Swansea University vs University of Reading: common questions

Is Swansea University or University of Reading cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £25,850 at University of Reading: Swansea University is about £4,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £26,450 at University of Reading: Swansea University is about £3,500 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 Swansea University and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 56 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Law, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, History, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Teacher Training, Business Studies and 44 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, and £35,500 from University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Swansea University or University of Reading offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and University of Reading lists 448 courses.

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

Swansea University teaches 41 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Physics, Genetics & Genomics, American & Comparative Studies, Chemical Engineering, General Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Health & Social Care, Mechanical Engineering and 33 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 14 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Food Science, Ancient Languages, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Nutrition & Dietetics, Fine Art, Animal Science, Architecture and 6 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

S
Swansea University916 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses