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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.

T
The University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #35

U
University of Reading

Reading · QS World #196

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

10/11

Edinburgh

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

1/11

Reading

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

The University of Edinburgh leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Reading is ahead on employment.

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Reading at a glance

The University of Edinburgh and University of Reading both teach 59 subject areas, the largest being Law, History and Computer Science. The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £3,750 a year cheaper.

Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, The University of Edinburgh is higher in 22 and University of Reading in 11. The widest gap is in Architecture: £24,000 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, against £36,500 from University of Reading. Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 20 and The University of Edinburgh in 8, with 5 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#35
QS World
#196
#29
THE World
#201
#17
Guardian UK
#33
1583
Established
1892
Yes
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.

The University of Edinburgh

University of Reading

85.3%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

41.6%
18%

International

International student share

936
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

112
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.

Edinburgh

122 countries · 41.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.5%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.3%
  • 🇮🇳India5.4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.7%
  • 🇨🇦Canada2.4%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

59 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.

The University of Edinburgh

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Classical Studies, Politics & International Relations, Chemistry, Building & Construction, Geology & Earth Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Education Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, History of Art & Design, Animal Science, Archaeology, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Ancient Languages, Management, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biomedical Sciences, Civil Engineering, Linguistics, Architecture, Environmental Sciences, International Development, Media & Film Studies, Zoology & Animal Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Medical Sciences, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting, Childhood & Youth Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General), English Language, Combined & General Studies, Creative Writing, Biotechnology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Film Production & Cinematography, Pharmacology, Biomedical Engineering, Drama & Theatre, Biology.

Only at The University of 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

The University of Edinburgh
£29,600
University of Reading
£25,850

University of Reading is about £3,750 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

The University of Edinburgh
No data
University of Reading
£26,450

We do not have reliable international fee data for The University of Edinburgh 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.

The University of Edinburgh

University of Reading

  • Law

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    74%Satisfaction76%

  • Economics

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    81%Satisfaction82%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • Teacher Training

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction77%

  • Business Studies

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    80%Satisfaction79%

  • Philosophy

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    82%Satisfaction96%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    90%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 33 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

The University of Edinburgh

Asylum Seeker Scholarship

£21,000

Deadline: N/A

Education Beyond Borders postgraduate scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

Cameron Law Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Online Learning Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Rosedale OSSD University of Edinburgh Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

The University of Edinburgh vs University of Reading: common questions

Is The University of Edinburgh or University of Reading cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,600 a year at The University of Edinburgh and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £3,750 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 The University of Edinburgh and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 59 subject areas: Law, History, Computer Science, Economics, Mathematics, Teacher Training, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Philosophy, Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology and 47 more.

Is The University of Edinburgh or University of Reading better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from The University of Edinburgh, and £27,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at The University of Edinburgh and 86% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does The University of Edinburgh or University of Reading offer more courses?

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and University of Reading lists 448 courses.

What can you study at The University of Edinburgh but not at University of Reading?

The University of Edinburgh teaches 57 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, German & Scandinavian Studies, Medicine, Physics, French, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Veterinary Medicine and 49 more.

What can you study at University of Reading but not at The University of Edinburgh?

University of Reading teaches 11 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Food Science, Information & Library Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Pharmacy, Fine Art, Planning & Housing, Food Production & Technology and 3 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

T
The University of Edinburgh936 courses · 112 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses