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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
University College Birmingham

Birmingham

U
University of Reading

Reading · QS World #196

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 7 datapoints

We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/7

University College Birmingham

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

4/7

Reading

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Reading leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (established, employment, graduate salary, courses). University College Birmingham is ahead on satisfaction, international, scholarship.

University College Birmingham vs University of Reading at a glance

University College Birmingham and University of Reading both teach 22 subject areas, the largest being Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General) and Building & Construction. University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at University College Birmingham and £25,850 at University of Reading: University College Birmingham is about £12,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,000 a year at University College Birmingham and £26,450 at University of Reading: University College Birmingham is about £9,450 a year cheaper.

Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 8 and University College Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £20,000 three years after graduating from University College Birmingham, against £38,500 from University of Reading. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 9 and University of Reading in 2.

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
1957
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.

University College Birmingham

University of Reading

88.3%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£25,600
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

77.8%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

47%
18%

International

International student share

115
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

7
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.

University College Birmingham

26 countries · 47% international

  • 🌐Nepal48.9%
  • 🇮🇳India24.7%
  • 🇨🇳China11.5%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

22 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.

University College Birmingham

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Food Production & Technology, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Architecture, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical & Health Psychology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation.

Only at University College Birmingham

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

University College Birmingham
£13,500
University of Reading
£25,850

University College Birmingham is about £12,350 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University College Birmingham
£17,000
University of Reading
£26,450

University College Birmingham is about £9,450 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.

University College Birmingham

University of Reading

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    93%Satisfaction77%

  • Building & Construction

    No dataSalary (3 years)£36,500
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • Marketing

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    85%Satisfaction76%

  • Business Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    86%Satisfaction79%

  • Food Science

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Design & Fashion

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    No dataSatisfaction93%

  • Planning & Housing

    No dataSalary (3 years)£36,500
    91%Satisfaction79%

  • Education Studies

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    98%Satisfaction97%

  • Food Production & Technology

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    78%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£35,000
    87%Satisfaction76%

  • Architecture

    No dataSalary (3 years)£36,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University College Birmingham

GREAT Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Vice-Chancellor's Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

Dean's Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

Early Action Scholarship

£4,500

Deadline: Jul 2026

Alumni Scholarship

25%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University College Birmingham vs University of Reading: common questions

Is University College Birmingham or University of Reading cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at University College Birmingham and £25,850 at University of Reading: University College Birmingham is about £12,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,000 a year at University College Birmingham and £26,450 at University of Reading: University College Birmingham is about £9,450 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 University College Birmingham and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 22 subject areas: Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General), Building & Construction, Marketing, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Food Science, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 10 more.

Is University College Birmingham or University of Reading better for Finance & Actuarial Science?

Finance & Actuarial Science graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from University College Birmingham, and £38,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University College Birmingham and 83% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University College Birmingham or University of Reading offer more courses?

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.

What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at University of Reading?

University College Birmingham teaches 14 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Health & Social Care, Crafts & Applied Arts, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Creative Arts (General), Developmental & Educational Psychology and 6 more.

What can you study at University of Reading but not at University College Birmingham?

University of Reading teaches 48 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Economics, History, Law, Mathematics, Agriculture & Land Management, Chemistry, English Literature, Philosophy and 40 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University College Birmingham115 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses