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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 Cumbria

Lancaster · Guardian UK #101

U
University of Reading

Reading · QS World #196

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 7 datapoints

We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/7

Cumbria

scored higher in 1 category

VS

6/7

Reading

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Reading leads in 6 of 7 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Cumbria is ahead on employment.

University of Cumbria vs University of Reading at a glance

University of Cumbria and University of Reading both teach 23 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies and Law. University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at University of Cumbria and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Cumbria is about £9,850 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Cumbria and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Cumbria is about £9,550 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 15 and University of Cumbria in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Cumbria, against £39,500 from University of Reading. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cumbria is higher in 9 and University of Reading in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#196
—
THE World
#201
#101
Guardian UK
#33
2007
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 Cumbria

University of Reading

80.5%
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

89.4%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

2.6%
18%

International

International student share

136
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
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.

Cumbria

14 countries · 2.6% international

  • 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
  • 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

23 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 Cumbria

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Zoology & Animal Biology, Environmental Sciences, Fine Art, Education Studies, Computer Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biomedical Engineering.

Only at University of Cumbria

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 Cumbria
£16,000
University of Reading
£25,850

University of Cumbria is about £9,850 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Cumbria
£16,900
University of Reading
£26,450

University of Cumbria is about £9,550 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 Cumbria

University of Reading

  • Business & Management (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    85%Satisfaction77%

  • Law

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    95%Satisfaction86%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • Business Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    89%Satisfaction79%

  • Design & Fashion

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    74%Satisfaction93%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    98%Satisfaction94%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    70%Satisfaction96%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    77%Satisfaction93%

  • Management

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    76%Satisfaction81%

  • Ecology & Conservation

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    92%Satisfaction97%

  • Teacher Training

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    82%Satisfaction77%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    100%Satisfaction92%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Cumbria

Future Talent Award

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Cumbria vs University of Reading: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at University of Cumbria and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Cumbria is about £9,850 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Cumbria and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Cumbria is about £9,550 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 Cumbria and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 23 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Law, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Sociology & Criminology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Management, Ecology & Conservation and 11 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Cumbria, and £35,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at University of Cumbria and 77% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.

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

University of Cumbria teaches 17 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Forestry & Arboriculture, Mechanical Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nursing (General), Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Health & Social Care, Medical Imaging and 9 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 47 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics, Building & Construction, History, Marketing, Mathematics, Agriculture & Land Management, Politics & International Relations and 39 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Cumbria136 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses
U
University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses