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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 Chester

Chester · Guardian UK #91

U
University of Reading

Reading · QS World #196

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/8

Chester

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

5/8

Reading

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Reading leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses). University of Chester is ahead on established, international, scholarship.

University of Chester vs University of Reading at a glance

University of Chester and University of Reading both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies and Finance & Actuarial Science. University of Chester offers 329 courses across 73 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £14,950 a year at University of Chester and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Chester is about £10,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,500 a year at University of Chester and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Chester is about £10,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 27 and University of Chester in 1. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £21,500 three years after graduating from University of Chester, against £39,500 from University of Reading. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 17 and University of Chester in 12.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#196
#1501
THE World
#201
#91
Guardian UK
#33
1839
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 of Chester

University of Reading

83.9%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£27,400
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.7%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

28.7%
18%

International

International student share

329
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.

Chester

52 countries · 28.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India32.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria11.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka7.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

39 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 Chester

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Nutrition & Dietetics, Business Studies, Chemistry, English Literature, Accounting, Computer Science, Ancient Languages, Biomedical Sciences, Teacher Training, Animal Science, Information & Library Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Ecology & Conservation, Fine Art, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Education Studies, English Language, Media & Film Studies, Creative Writing, Drama & Theatre, Social Sciences (General), Biology, Film Production & Cinematography, Biotechnology.

Only at University of Chester

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 Chester
£14,950
University of Reading
£25,850

University of Chester is about £10,900 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Chester
£15,500
University of Reading
£26,450

University of Chester is about £10,950 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 Chester

University of Reading

  • Business & Management (General)

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£35,500
    79%Satisfaction77%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    77%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    86%Satisfaction96%

  • Law

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Marketing

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    89%Satisfaction76%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction92%

  • Design & Fashion

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    82%Satisfaction93%

  • Agriculture & Land Management

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    75%Satisfaction83%

  • Archaeology

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    100%Satisfaction93%

  • Mathematics

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    No dataSatisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 30 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Chester

NHS Learning Support Fund

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Visit Us Travel Bursary

£100

Deadline: N/A

Futures Employability Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Chester vs University of Reading: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £14,950 a year at University of Chester and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Chester is about £10,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,500 a year at University of Chester and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Chester is about £10,950 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 Chester and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 39 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Law, History, Marketing, Politics & International Relations, Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Agriculture & Land Management and 27 more.

Is University of Chester or University of Reading better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £21,500 three years after graduating from University of Chester, and £35,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 79% at University of Chester and 77% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and University of Chester lists 329 courses.

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

University of Chester teaches 34 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Software Engineering, Geography (General), Journalism, Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Games Design & Computer Animation and 26 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 31 subject areas that University of Chester does not, including Economics, Philosophy, Management, Food Science, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Pharmacy and 23 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Chester329 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses