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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 Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

U
University of Reading

Reading · QS World #196

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/10

Essex

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

6/10

Reading

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Reading leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, graduate salary). University of Essex is ahead on satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship.

University of Essex vs University of Reading at a glance

University of Essex and University of Reading both teach 49 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Economics and History. University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Essex is about £4,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Essex is about £2,570 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 18 and University of Essex in 9. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £27,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, against £39,500 from University of Reading. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 16 and University of Essex in 11.

World & National Rankings

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

#438
QS World
#196
#301
THE World
#201
#44
Guardian UK
#33
1964
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 Essex

University of Reading

87.2%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.7%
18%

International

International student share

748
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

30
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.

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India21.2%
  • 🇨🇳China11.7%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.1%
  • 🇫🇷France5.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.4%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

49 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 Essex

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting, Marketing, Management, Building & Construction, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Linguistics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Ancient Languages, Social Sciences (General), Biomedical Sciences, Creative Writing, Biotechnology, Design & Fashion, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Civil Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Teacher Training, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biology, Media & Film Studies, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biomedical Engineering, Classical Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Policy & Public Policy, Human Resource Management, Clinical & Health Psychology.

Only at University of Essex

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 Essex
£21,500
University of Reading
£25,850

University of Essex is about £4,350 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Essex
£23,880
University of Reading
£26,450

University of Essex is about £2,570 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 Essex

University of Reading

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction92%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    84%Satisfaction82%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    77%Satisfaction83%

  • Philosophy

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction96%

  • Mathematics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    95%Satisfaction86%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    No dataSatisfaction77%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    81%Satisfaction76%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Essex

Access Essex Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Sustainable Transitions - Governance, Ecological Management and Society - Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Sustainable Transitions - Governance, Ecological Management and Society - Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme 2026-27 (Masters plus PhD)

100%

Deadline: N/A

The Essex MBA Dean's Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Research EU Scholarship

£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 Essex vs University of Reading: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,500 a year at University of Essex and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Essex is about £4,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,880 a year at University of Essex and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Essex is about £2,570 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 Essex and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 49 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Economics, History, Finance & Actuarial Science, Philosophy, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Mathematics, History of Art & Design, Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Computer Science and 37 more.

Is University of Essex or University of Reading better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Essex, and £27,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Essex and 92% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and University of Reading lists 448 courses.

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

University of Essex teaches 25 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Journalism, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Applied Psychology, Welsh Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Genetics & Genomics, Liberal Arts and 17 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 21 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Chemistry, Food Science, Information & Library Studies, Archaeology, Biological Sciences (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Nutrition & Dietetics and 13 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses