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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 Bristol

Bristol · QS World #57

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

Bristol

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

1/11

Reading

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

University of Bristol 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.

University of Bristol vs University of Reading at a glance

University of Bristol and University of Reading both teach 46 subject areas, the largest being Economics, Mathematics and Finance & Actuarial Science. University of Bristol offers 479 courses across 83 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £5,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £2,010 a year cheaper.

Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bristol is higher in 23 and University of Reading in 5, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £48,000 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, against £35,000 from University of Reading. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Bristol is higher in 15 and University of Reading in 14, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#57
QS World
#196
#80
THE World
#201
#13
Guardian UK
#33
1876
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 Bristol

University of Reading

88%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£43,100
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

77.4%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.6%
18%

International

International student share

479
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

54
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.

Bristol

104 countries · 33.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.5%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.8%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

46 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 Bristol

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Biochemistry, Social Policy & Public Policy, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Design & Fashion, Education Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Biomedical Sciences, Business Studies, Archaeology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Civil Engineering, Drama & Theatre, Information & Library Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Childhood & Youth Studies, Classical Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Zoology & Animal Biology, Pharmacology, Animal Science, Biology, History of Art & Design, Media & Film Studies, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Linguistics, Social Sciences (General).

Only at University of Bristol

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 Bristol
£31,300
University of Reading
£25,850

University of Reading is about £5,450 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Bristol
£28,460
University of Reading
£26,450

University of Reading is about £2,010 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 Bristol

University of Reading

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    81%Satisfaction82%

  • Mathematics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Management

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    84%Satisfaction81%

  • Law

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction95%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemistry

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction77%

  • Philosophy

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    91%Satisfaction86%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction91%

  • Marketing

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    87%Satisfaction76%

Showing the 12 largest of 31 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Bristol

Black Heritage PhD Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Black heritage PhD scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships for applicants of Black heritage

100%

Deadline: N/A

British Council scholarships for Women

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Bristol vs University of Reading: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £5,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £2,010 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 Bristol and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 46 subject areas: Economics, Mathematics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General), Management, Law, History, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Chemistry, Philosophy, Geology & Earth Sciences and 34 more.

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

Economics graduates earn a median £42,000 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, and £32,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at University of Bristol and 82% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Bristol lists 479 courses on CourseOptions and University of Reading lists 448 courses.

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

University of Bristol teaches 37 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Physics, Anatomy & Pathology, Dentistry, English Studies, Music, General Engineering, Medicine, Social Work and 29 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 24 subject areas that University of Bristol does not, including Building & Construction, Agriculture & Land Management, English Literature, Food Science, Teacher Training, Biological Sciences (General), Nutrition & Dietetics, Pharmacy and 16 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Bristol479 courses · 54 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses