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.
Preston · QS World #1001
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
Lancashire
scored higher in 4 categories
6/10
Reading
scored higher in 6 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Reading leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, employment, graduate salary, courses). University of Lancashire is ahead on established, satisfaction, international, scholarship.
University of Lancashire vs University of Reading at a glance
University of Lancashire and University of Reading both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Law, Business & Management (General) and Building & Construction. University of Lancashire offers 363 courses across 82 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,330 a year at University of Lancashire and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Lancashire is about £8,520 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,250 a year at University of Lancashire and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Lancashire is about £7,200 a year cheaper.
Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 27 and University of Lancashire in 2. The widest gap is in Accounting: £20,500 three years after graduating from University of Lancashire, against £39,000 from University of Reading. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Lancashire is higher in 19 and University of Reading in 12.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
University of Lancashire
University of Reading
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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.
Lancashire
74 countries · 20.5% international
- 🇮🇳India34.3%
- 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates9.3%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria8%
- 🌐Nepal6.6%
- 🇨🇦Canada4.4%
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 Lancashire
University of Reading
Law
19 coursesTypical fee £17,330 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £25,850 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
10 coursesTypical fee £18,750 (UG)
22 coursesTypical fee £25,850 (UG)
Building & Construction
7 coursesTypical fee £18,040 (UG)
16 coursesTypical fee £31,650 (PG)
Psychology (General)
9 coursesTypical fee £18,750 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £30,650 (UG)
History
3 coursesTypical fee £17,330 (UG)
16 coursesTypical fee £25,850 (UG)
Business Studies
Design & Fashion
Sport & Exercise Sciences
16 coursesTypical fee £18,040 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £26,450 (PG)
Management
Marketing
3 coursesTypical fee £18,750 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £25,850 (UG)
Mathematics
3 coursesTypical fee £18,040 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £30,650 (UG)
Computer Science
10 coursesTypical fee £18,040 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £30,650 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
English Literature
2 coursesTypical fee £17,330 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £25,850 (UG)
Accounting
Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Archaeology, Ancient Languages, Education Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Nutrition & Dietetics, Teacher Training, Childhood & Youth Studies, Fine Art, Pharmacy, Social Sciences (General), Animal Science, English Language, Film Production & Cinematography, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Media & Film Studies, Pharmacology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Drama & Theatre, Food Production & Technology.
Only at University of Lancashire
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 Lancashire
- £17,330
- University of Reading
- £25,850
University of Lancashire is about £8,520 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of Lancashire
- £19,250
- University of Reading
- £26,450
University of Lancashire is about £7,200 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 Lancashire
University of Reading
Law
£21,000Salary (3 years)£27,50087%Satisfaction86%Business & Management (General)
£21,500Salary (3 years)£35,50088%Satisfaction77%Building & Construction
£29,500Salary (3 years)£36,50088%Satisfaction90%Psychology (General)
£19,500Salary (3 years)£24,00090%Satisfaction83%History
£21,000Salary (3 years)£25,000100%Satisfaction95%Business Studies
£35,000Salary (3 years)£39,50087%Satisfaction79%Design & Fashion
£19,500Salary (3 years)£26,00097%Satisfaction93%Management
£33,000Salary (3 years)£34,00071%Satisfaction81%Marketing
£22,500Salary (3 years)£29,00085%Satisfaction76%Mathematics
£25,500Salary (3 years)£30,50094%Satisfaction86%Computer Science
£24,500Salary (3 years)£35,00071%Satisfaction76%Sociology & Criminology
£20,000Salary (3 years)£31,00092%Satisfaction96%
Showing the 12 largest of 31 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity of Lancashire
Fee Waiver Scholarship for Sanctuary Seekers
100%
Deadline: N/A
Care-experienced and Estranged Student Graduation Bursary
£500
Deadline: N/A
Degree Apprentice Care Leaver Bursary
See details
Deadline: N/A
Estranged Student Support
See details
Deadline: N/A
Journalism Innovation and Leadership PGCert Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
University of Reading
The Sporting Excellence Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
University of Lancashire vs University of Reading: common questions
Is University of Lancashire or University of Reading cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,330 a year at University of Lancashire and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Lancashire is about £8,520 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,250 a year at University of Lancashire and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Lancashire is about £7,200 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 Lancashire and University of Reading?
Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Law, Business & Management (General), Building & Construction, Psychology (General), History, Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Management, Marketing, Mathematics, Computer Science and 31 more.
Is University of Lancashire or University of Reading better for Law?
Law graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Lancashire, and £27,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at University of Lancashire and 86% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University of Lancashire or University of Reading offer more courses?
University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and University of Lancashire lists 363 courses.
What can you study at University of Lancashire but not at University of Reading?
University of Lancashire teaches 39 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Medicine, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Music, Social Work, Aerospace Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Adult Nursing, Games Design & Computer Animation and 31 more.
What can you study at University of Reading but not at University of Lancashire?
University of Reading teaches 27 subject areas that University of Lancashire does not, including Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics, Agriculture & Land Management, Politics & International Relations, Chemistry, Philosophy, Food Science, Information & Library Studies and 19 more.
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