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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.

U
UCL (University College London)

Camden · QS World #8

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

UCL (University College London)

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

1/11

Reading

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

UCL (University College London) 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.

UCL (University College London) vs University of Reading at a glance

UCL (University College London) and University of Reading both teach 60 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Economics and Ancient Languages. UCL (University College London) offers 1,131 courses across 109 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £3,950 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £8,250 a year cheaper.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, UCL (University College London) is higher in 26 and University of Reading in 8. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £51,000 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), against £35,000 from University of Reading. Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, UCL (University College London) is higher in 16 and University of Reading in 16, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#8
QS World
#196
#22
THE World
#201
#9
Guardian UK
#33
1826
Established
1892
Yes
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.

UCL (University College London)

University of Reading

86.5%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£46,400
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80.4%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

51.9%
18%

International

International student share

1131
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

18
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.

UCL (University College London)

127 countries · 51.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.3%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.2%
  • 🇮🇳India3.4%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.4%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

60 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.

UCL (University College London)

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Management, Philosophy, Law, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Planning & Housing, Design & Fashion, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Archaeology, Human Geography & Environment, Architecture, Marketing, Biochemistry, Ecology & Conservation, Education Studies, Information & Library Studies, Linguistics, English Literature, Fine Art, Pharmacy, Business Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biological Sciences (General), Classical Studies, Media & Film Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Pharmacology, Physical Geography & Climate, Accounting, Biology, International Development, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, English Language, Social Sciences (General), Zoology & Animal Biology, Combined & General Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Creative Writing, History of Art & Design, Clinical & Health Psychology, Sport & Exercise Sciences.

Only at UCL (University College 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

UCL (University College London)
£29,800
University of Reading
£25,850

University of Reading is about £3,950 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

UCL (University College London)
£34,700
University of Reading
£26,450

University of Reading is about £8,250 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.

UCL (University College London)

University of Reading

  • Economics

    £45,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    79%Satisfaction82%

  • Ancient Languages

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    93%Satisfaction77%

  • Psychology (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction83%

  • Mathematics

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    79%Satisfaction92%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction92%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    87%Satisfaction96%

  • Computer Science

    £51,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    80%Satisfaction76%

  • History

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    91%Satisfaction95%

  • Building & Construction

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£36,500
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction91%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

UCL (University College London)

Commercial Bar Opportunity Scholarship

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

UCL Department of Arts and Sciences (UASc) Interdisciplinary Excellence PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Law Society Pro Bono Bursary

£250

Deadline: N/A

Alonso Gurmendi Dunkelberg, UCL Graduate Research 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

UCL (University College London) vs University of Reading: common questions

Is UCL (University College London) or University of Reading cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,800 a year at UCL (University College London) and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £3,950 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £34,700 a year at UCL (University College London) and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £8,250 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 UCL (University College London) and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 60 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Economics, Ancient Languages, Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Mathematics, Biomedical Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Computer Science and 48 more.

Is UCL (University College London) or University of Reading better for Economics?

Economics graduates earn a median £45,000 three years after graduating from UCL (University College London), and £32,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 79% at UCL (University College London) and 82% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does UCL (University College London) or University of Reading offer more courses?

UCL (University College London) lists 1,131 courses on CourseOptions and University of Reading lists 448 courses.

What can you study at UCL (University College London) but not at University of Reading?

UCL (University College London) teaches 49 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Eastern European Languages, French, Italian, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Anthropology, Clinical Specialities and 41 more.

What can you study at University of Reading but not at UCL (University College London)?

University of Reading teaches 10 subject areas that UCL (University College London) does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Food Science, Teacher Training, Environmental Sciences, Medical Sciences, Animal Science, Drama & Theatre, Food Production & Technology and 2 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
UCL (University College London)1,131 courses · 18 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses