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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 Glasgow

Glasgow · QS World #80

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

Glasgow

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

1/11

Reading

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

University of Glasgow 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 Glasgow vs University of Reading at a glance

University of Glasgow and University of Reading both teach 59 subject areas, the largest being History, Mathematics and Management. University of Glasgow offers 1,022 courses across 97 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,160 a year at University of Glasgow and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Glasgow is about £11,290 a year cheaper.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 20 and University of Glasgow in 8, with 6 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £29,500 three years after graduating from University of Glasgow, against £39,000 from University of Reading. Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 21 and University of Glasgow in 13, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#80
QS World
#196
#84
THE World
#201
#12
Guardian UK
#33
1451
Established
1892
Yes
Russell Group
No
—
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 Glasgow

University of Reading

86.1%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£36,500
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.9%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

35.9%
18%

International

International student share

1022
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

4
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.

Glasgow

121 countries · 35.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China51.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States7.4%
  • 🇮🇳India7%
  • 🌐Kuwait1.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong1.5%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

59 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 Glasgow

University of Reading

Also taught at both: English Language, Ancient Languages, Archaeology, Computer Science, History of Art & Design, Education Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Building & Construction, Information & Library Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Marketing, Accounting, Business Studies, Agriculture & Land Management, Biomedical Sciences, Drama & Theatre, Childhood & Youth Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Design & Fashion, Geology & Earth Sciences, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Planning & Housing, Biochemistry, Ecology & Conservation, Media & Film Studies, Animal Science, Environmental Sciences, Medical Sciences, International Development, Nutrition & Dietetics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Zoology & Animal Biology, Creative Writing, Pharmacology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Film Production & Cinematography, Human Resource Management, Linguistics, Social Sciences (General).

Only at University of Glasgow

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 Glasgow
No data
University of Reading
£25,850

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Glasgow yet.

Postgraduate

University of Glasgow
£15,160
University of Reading
£26,450

University of Glasgow is about £11,290 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 Glasgow

University of Reading

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction95%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction86%

  • Management

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    73%Satisfaction81%

  • Economics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    79%Satisfaction82%

  • Law

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

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    91%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Classical Studies

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    86%Satisfaction97%

  • English Literature

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Teacher Training

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction77%

  • Philosophy

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 35 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Glasgow

Minerva Scholarships

£22,000

Deadline: N/A

Excellence Bursaries

100%

Deadline: N/A

Travel Bursaries

£50

Deadline: N/A

School of Computing Science postgraduate research excellence 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 Glasgow vs University of Reading: common questions

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

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,160 a year at University of Glasgow and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Glasgow is about £11,290 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 Glasgow and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 59 subject areas: History, Mathematics, Management, Economics, Law, Psychology (General), Politics & International Relations, Finance & Actuarial Science, Classical Studies, English Literature, Teacher Training, Philosophy and 47 more.

Is University of Glasgow or University of Reading better for History?

History graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from University of Glasgow, and £25,000 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at University of Glasgow and 95% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Glasgow lists 1,022 courses on CourseOptions and University of Reading lists 448 courses.

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

University of Glasgow teaches 38 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Spanish & Portuguese, Eastern European Languages, Information Systems & Data Science, Physics, Theology & Religious Studies, Celtic Studies, Music, Scottish Gaelic and 30 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 11 subject areas that University of Glasgow does not, including Food Science, Biological Sciences (General), Pharmacy, Fine Art, Physical Geography & Climate, Architecture, Combined & General Studies, Food Production & Technology and 3 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Glasgow1,022 courses · 4 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses