Skip to main content

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 Kent

Canterbury · QS World #415

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.

0/10

Kent

scored higher in 0 categories

VS

10/10

Reading

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Reading leads in 10 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Kent does not lead in any category where both have data.

University of Kent vs University of Reading at a glance

University of Kent and University of Reading both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics and Politics & International Relations. University of Kent offers 335 courses across 63 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,500 a year at University of Kent and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Kent is about £2,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,700 a year at University of Kent and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Kent is about £5,750 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 12 and University of Kent in 8, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £28,500 three years after graduating from University of Kent, against £39,500 from University of Reading. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Kent is higher in 12 and University of Reading in 12, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#415
QS World
#196
#401
THE World
#201
#47
Guardian UK
#33
1965
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 Kent

University of Reading

84%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£33,600
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
18%

International

International student share

335
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Kent

85 countries · 16% international

  • 🇮🇳India9.9%
  • 🇨🇳China6.8%
  • 🇹🇭Thailand6.6%
  • 🇫🇷France5.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.3%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

43 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 Kent

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Accounting, Biology, Ecology & Conservation, Biochemistry, Pharmacy, Ancient Languages, Architecture, Design & Fashion, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Archaeology, Creative Writing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Environmental Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Social Sciences (General), Animal Science, Biomedical Engineering, Classical Studies, Drama & Theatre, Media & Film Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Social Policy & Public Policy, Clinical & Health Psychology, Human Resource Management, Biotechnology, Linguistics.

Only at University of Kent

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 Kent
£23,500
University of Reading
£25,850

University of Kent is about £2,350 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Kent
£20,700
University of Reading
£26,450

University of Kent is about £5,750 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 Kent

University of Reading

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £41,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    85%Satisfaction82%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction92%

  • Business & Management (General)

    No dataSalary (3 years)£35,500
    77%Satisfaction77%

  • Law

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • History

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

  • Mathematics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    77%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    79%Satisfaction76%

  • Marketing

    No dataSalary (3 years)£29,000
    78%Satisfaction76%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    83%Satisfaction96%

  • Business Studies

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£39,500
    82%Satisfaction79%

Showing the 12 largest of 26 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Kent

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Kent vs University of Reading: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,500 a year at University of Kent and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Kent is about £2,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,700 a year at University of Kent and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Kent is about £5,750 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 Kent and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Law, History, Mathematics, Psychology (General), Computer Science, Marketing, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies and 31 more.

Is University of Kent or University of Reading better for Finance & Actuarial Science?

Finance & Actuarial Science graduates earn a median £41,500 three years after graduating from University of Kent, and £38,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at University of Kent and 83% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and University of Kent lists 335 courses.

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

University of Kent teaches 20 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Physics, Applied Psychology, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Forensic Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Software Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Business Information Systems and 12 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 27 subject areas that University of Kent does not, including Building & Construction, Agriculture & Land Management, Philosophy, Food Science, Information & Library Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Teacher Training, Biological Sciences (General) and 19 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Kent335 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses