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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 Greater Manchester

Bolton

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.

3/7

Greater Manchester

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

4/7

Reading

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Reading leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (established, employment, graduate salary, courses). University of Greater Manchester is ahead on satisfaction, international, scholarship.

University of Greater Manchester vs University of Reading at a glance

University of Greater Manchester and University of Reading both teach 29 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Psychology (General) and Education Studies. University of Greater Manchester offers 281 courses across 56 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Greater Manchester and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Greater Manchester is about £8,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Greater Manchester and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Greater Manchester is about £8,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 14 and University of Greater Manchester in 0. The widest gap is in Accounting: £20,000 three years after graduating from University of Greater Manchester, against £39,000 from University of Reading. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Greater Manchester is higher in 8 and University of Reading in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#196
—
THE World
#201
—
Guardian UK
#33
2024
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 Greater Manchester

University of Reading

87.7%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£28,500
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.8%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.4%
18%

International

International student share

281
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
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.

Greater Manchester

30 countries · 25.4% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria46.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan17.7%
  • 🇮🇳India10.8%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates7%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh6.6%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

29 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 Greater Manchester

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Film Production & Cinematography, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Fine Art, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Creative Writing, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biotechnology.

Only at University of Greater Manchester

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 Greater Manchester
£17,500
University of Reading
£25,850

University of Greater Manchester is about £8,350 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Greater Manchester
£17,500
University of Reading
£26,450

University of Greater Manchester is about £8,950 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 Greater Manchester

University of Reading

  • Business & Management (General)

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    98%Satisfaction77%

  • Psychology (General)

    £18,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction83%

  • Education Studies

    £18,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    92%Satisfaction97%

  • Law

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    79%Satisfaction86%

  • Design & Fashion

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    78%Satisfaction96%

  • Accounting

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    80%Satisfaction86%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction92%

  • Biomedical Engineering

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    93%Satisfaction82%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £18,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    92%Satisfaction75%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    83%Satisfaction94%

  • Civil Engineering

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    83%Satisfaction98%

Showing the 12 largest of 15 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Greater Manchester

Bolton Sports Bursary 2020/21

See details

Deadline: N/A

Care Experienced Bursary 21-22

See details

Deadline: N/A

Care Leavers Bursary 2020/2021

See details

Deadline: N/A

The Bolton Master's Bursary 2021

See details

Deadline: N/A

The University of Greater Manchester Group Progression Scholarship 2021-22

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 Greater Manchester vs University of Reading: common questions

Is University of Greater Manchester or University of Reading cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Greater Manchester and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Greater Manchester is about £8,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Greater Manchester and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Greater Manchester is about £8,950 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 Greater Manchester and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 29 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Education Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Law, Building & Construction, Management, Teacher Training, Design & Fashion, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Accounting and 17 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from University of Greater Manchester, and £35,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 98% at University of Greater Manchester and 77% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Greater Manchester or University of Reading offer more courses?

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and University of Greater Manchester lists 281 courses.

What can you study at University of Greater Manchester but not at University of Reading?

University of Greater Manchester teaches 27 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Health & Social Care, Nursing (General), Dentistry, Dance, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Computing & IT, Games Design & Computer Animation, Social Work and 19 more.

What can you study at University of Reading but not at University of Greater Manchester?

University of Reading teaches 41 subject areas that University of Greater Manchester does not, including Economics, History, Marketing, Mathematics, Agriculture & Land Management, Chemistry, English Literature, Philosophy and 33 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Greater Manchester281 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses