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.
Farnham
Reading · QS World #196
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 6 datapoints
We looked at 6 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
1/6
University for the Creative Arts
scored higher in 1 category
5/6
Reading
scored higher in 5 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Reading leads in 5 of 6 categories where both have data (satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). University for the Creative Arts is ahead on established.
University for the Creative Arts vs University of Reading at a glance
University for the Creative Arts and University of Reading both teach 9 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography and Business Studies. University for the Creative Arts offers 194 courses across 14 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University for the Creative Arts and £25,850 at University of Reading: University for the Creative Arts is about £8,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,020 a year at University for the Creative Arts and £26,450 at University of Reading: University for the Creative Arts is about £8,430 a year cheaper.
Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 4 and University for the Creative Arts in 0. The widest gap is in Drama & Theatre: £16,000 three years after graduating from University for the Creative Arts, against £23,000 from University of Reading. Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 5 and University for the Creative Arts in 3.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
University for the Creative Arts
University of Reading
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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 for the Creative Arts
56 countries · 14.6% international
- 🇨🇳China26%
- 🇮🇳India21.5%
- 🌐Nepal15.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria3.8%
- 🌐Sri Lanka3.2%
Reading
96 countries · 18% international
- 🇨🇳China26%
- 🇮🇳India6.9%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria4.2%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia3.9%
Subjects
9 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 for the Creative Arts
University of Reading
Design & Fashion
69 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £25,850 (UG)
Film Production & Cinematography
29 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £25,850 (UG)
Business Studies
13 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £30,650 (UG)
Marketing
8 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £25,850 (UG)
Fine Art
14 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £25,850 (UG)
Drama & Theatre
Computer Science
Architecture
Media & Film Studies
Only at University for the Creative Arts
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 for the Creative Arts
- £17,500
- University of Reading
- £25,850
University for the Creative Arts is about £8,350 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University for the Creative Arts
- £18,020
- University of Reading
- £26,450
University for the Creative Arts is about £8,430 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 for the Creative Arts
University of Reading
Design & Fashion
£21,500Salary (3 years)£26,00085%Satisfaction93%Film Production & Cinematography
£20,000Salary (3 years)£22,50084%Satisfaction75%Business Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)£39,50059%Satisfaction79%Marketing
No dataSalary (3 years)£29,00068%Satisfaction76%Fine Art
£19,500Salary (3 years)£20,00041%Satisfaction81%Drama & Theatre
£16,000Salary (3 years)£23,00091%Satisfaction67%Computer Science
No dataSalary (3 years)£35,00088%Satisfaction76%Architecture
No dataSalary (3 years)£36,50086%Satisfaction89%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity for the Creative Arts
2026 Venice Art Biennale Fellowship
£3,300
Deadline: N/A
University of Reading
The Sporting Excellence Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
University for the Creative Arts vs University of Reading: common questions
Is University for the Creative Arts or University of Reading cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University for the Creative Arts and £25,850 at University of Reading: University for the Creative Arts is about £8,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,020 a year at University for the Creative Arts and £26,450 at University of Reading: University for the Creative Arts is about £8,430 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 for the Creative Arts and University of Reading?
Both universities teach 9 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography, Business Studies, Marketing, Fine Art, Drama & Theatre, Computer Science, Architecture and Media & Film Studies.
Is University for the Creative Arts or University of Reading better for Design & Fashion?
Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £21,500 three years after graduating from University for the Creative Arts, and £26,000 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at University for the Creative Arts and 93% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University for the Creative Arts or University of Reading offer more courses?
University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and University for the Creative Arts lists 194 courses.
What can you study at University for the Creative Arts but not at University of Reading?
University for the Creative Arts teaches 5 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Crafts & Applied Arts, Applied Computing, Music and Software Engineering.
What can you study at University of Reading but not at University for the Creative Arts?
University of Reading teaches 61 subject areas that University for the Creative Arts does not, including Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics, Business & Management (General), Building & Construction, History, Law, Mathematics, Psychology (General) and 53 more.
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