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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 Exeter

Devon · QS World #136

U
University of Reading

Reading · QS World #196

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

10/12

Exeter

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

2/12

Reading

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Exeter leads in 10 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Reading is ahead on established, employment.

University of Exeter vs University of Reading at a glance

University of Exeter and University of Reading both teach 48 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Mathematics and Business & Management (General). University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Exeter is about £900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Exeter is about £900 a year cheaper.

Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Exeter is higher in 21 and University of Reading in 9, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Biomedical Sciences: £33,500 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, against £25,000 from University of Reading. Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 16 and University of Exeter in 15, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#136
QS World
#196
#170
THE World
#201
#14
Guardian UK
#33
1922
Established
1892
Yes
Russell Group
No
Gold
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 Exeter

University of Reading

87.7%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£39,800
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.8%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.2%
18%

International

International student share

873
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

2
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.

Exeter

111 countries · 22.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China25.1%
  • 🇮🇳India10.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong10%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States2.8%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

48 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 Exeter

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Archaeology, History of Art & Design, Human Geography & Environment, Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Business Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Marketing, Building & Construction, Media & Film Studies, Management, Zoology & Animal Biology, Accounting, Childhood & Youth Studies, Biochemistry, Environmental Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Drama & Theatre, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Film Production & Cinematography, Nutrition & Dietetics, Creative Writing, English Language, Human Resource Management, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Animal Science, Biology, Education Studies, Biomedical Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Clinical & Health Psychology.

Only at University of Exeter

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 Exeter
£24,950
University of Reading
£25,850

University of Exeter is about £900 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Exeter
£25,550
University of Reading
£26,450

University of Exeter is about £900 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 Exeter

University of Reading

  • Politics & International Relations

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Mathematics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £39,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    84%Satisfaction77%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £39,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    88%Satisfaction82%

  • Classical Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    92%Satisfaction97%

  • Philosophy

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    91%Satisfaction96%

  • Psychology (General)

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    93%Satisfaction83%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 33 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Exeter

Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

Carolyn and Andrew Trevorrow Memorial Fund Travel Bursaries

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 Exeter vs University of Reading: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Exeter is about £900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Exeter is about £900 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 Exeter and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 48 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, History, Law, Economics, Classical Studies, Philosophy, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General) and 36 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, and £27,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Exeter and 92% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Exeter lists 873 courses on CourseOptions and University of Reading lists 448 courses.

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

University of Exeter teaches 43 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Physics, English Studies, General Engineering, Theology & Religious Studies, Anatomy & Pathology, Chemical Engineering, Geography (General), Mechanical Engineering and 35 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 22 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Chemistry, English Literature, Design & Fashion, Food Science, Information & Library Studies, Teacher Training, Microbiology & Cell Biology and 14 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Exeter873 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses