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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 Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

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.

9/11

Birmingham

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

Reading

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Reading is ahead on established, employment.

University of Birmingham vs University of Reading at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of Reading both teach 54 subject areas, the largest being History, Politics & International Relations and Law. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £1,240 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Birmingham is about £3,060 a year cheaper.

Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 20 and University of Reading in 11, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Planning & Housing: £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, 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 17 and University of Birmingham in 13, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#196
#98
THE World
#201
#18
Guardian UK
#33
1900
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.

University of Birmingham

University of Reading

86.7%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
18%

International

International student share

663
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
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.

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China55.7%
  • 🇮🇳India9.4%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

54 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 Birmingham

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Ancient Languages, Civil Engineering, Business Studies, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Education Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Management, Childhood & Youth Studies, Environmental Sciences, Archaeology, Classical Studies, English Literature, Accounting, Computer Science, Biochemistry, English Language, History of Art & Design, Media & Film Studies, Pharmacy, Planning & Housing, Biological Sciences (General), Human Geography & Environment, Drama & Theatre, Social Policy & Public Policy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Creative Writing, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Linguistics, Physical Geography & Climate, Biology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Food Production & Technology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Sciences (General), Biotechnology, Human Resource Management, Film Production & Cinematography.

Only at University of 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 of Birmingham
£27,090
University of Reading
£25,850

University of Reading is about £1,240 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of Reading
£26,450

University of Birmingham is about £3,060 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 Birmingham

University of Reading

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction92%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    79%Satisfaction77%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    85%Satisfaction82%

  • Philosophy

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    93%Satisfaction86%

  • Marketing

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    79%Satisfaction76%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    93%Satisfaction77%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    91%Satisfaction91%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    90%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 34 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Birmingham

Enhanced Chamberlain Award

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

University Music Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

University Music Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of Reading: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £1,240 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Birmingham is about £3,060 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 Birmingham and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 54 subject areas: History, Politics & International Relations, Law, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics, Philosophy, Marketing, Teacher Training, Mathematics, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences and 42 more.

Is University of Birmingham or University of Reading better for History?

History graduates earn a median £26,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £25,000 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University of Birmingham and 95% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of Reading lists 448 courses.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 47 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Health & Social Care, Physics, Music, Theology & Religious Studies, Chemical Engineering, French, Geography (General), Medicine and 39 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 16 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Building & Construction, Agriculture & Land Management, Design & Fashion, Food Science, Information & Library Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Ecology & Conservation, Fine Art and 8 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses