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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 of Bath

Bath · QS World #125

U
University of Reading

Reading · QS World #196

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

8/12

Bath

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

4/12

Reading

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Bath leads in 8 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Reading is ahead on ranking, established, employment, courses.

University of Bath vs University of Reading at a glance

University of Bath and University of Reading both teach 36 subject areas, the largest being Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science and Mathematics. University of Bath offers 303 courses across 49 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,000 a year at University of Bath and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £6,150 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at University of Bath and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £3,050 a year cheaper.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bath is higher in 11 and University of Reading in 5. The widest gap is in Economics: £45,500 three years after graduating from University of Bath, against £32,500 from University of Reading. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Bath is higher in 8 and University of Reading in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#125
QS World
#196
#251
THE World
#201
#7
Guardian UK
#33
1966
Established
1892
Yes
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

University of Bath

University of Reading

88.6%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£47,400
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80.9%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

23.8%
18%

International

International student share

303
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

25
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.

Bath

96 countries · 23.8% international

  • 🇮🇳India15.2%
  • 🇨🇳China9.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong8.2%
  • 🇹🇭Thailand7.1%
  • 🇪🇸Spain5.2%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

36 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 of Bath

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Ancient Languages, Biomedical Sciences, Accounting, Education Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Pharmacy, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Teacher Training, Pharmacology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Social Sciences (General), Architecture, Biology, Biotechnology, Physical Geography & Climate, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Clinical & Health Psychology, Human Resource Management, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation.

Only at University of Bath

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 of Bath
£32,000
University of Reading
£25,850

University of Reading is about £6,150 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Bath
£29,500
University of Reading
£26,450

University of Reading is about £3,050 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 of Bath

University of Reading

  • Economics

    £45,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    86%Satisfaction82%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    94%Satisfaction83%

  • Mathematics

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction92%

  • Chemistry

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    94%Satisfaction77%

  • Computer Science

    £39,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    85%Satisfaction76%

  • Psychology (General)

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

  • Management

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    91%Satisfaction81%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    87%Satisfaction96%

  • Biochemistry

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    83%Satisfaction88%

  • Civil Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    93%Satisfaction98%

  • International Development

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    77%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Bath

Alumni Fund Post Graduate Sanctuary Scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

The Vice Chancellor's International Scholarships

£12,400

Deadline: N/A

Bath Global Excellence Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM

100%

Deadline: N/A

GREAT Scholarships 2026

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Bath vs University of Reading: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,000 a year at University of Bath and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £6,150 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £29,500 a year at University of Bath and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £3,050 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 of Bath and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 36 subject areas: Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Chemistry, Computer Science, Psychology (General), Building & Construction, Management, Sociology & Criminology, Biochemistry and 24 more.

Is University of Bath or University of Reading better for Economics?

Economics graduates earn a median £45,500 three years after graduating from University of Bath, and £32,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Bath and 82% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Bath or University of Reading offer more courses?

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and University of Bath lists 303 courses.

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

University of Bath teaches 13 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Business Information Systems, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Natural Sciences, Health & Social Care and 5 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 34 subject areas that University of Bath does not, including History, Law, Marketing, Agriculture & Land Management, English Literature, Philosophy, Design & Fashion, Food Science and 26 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Bath303 courses · 25 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses