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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 Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

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.

9/11

Leeds

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

Reading

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Leeds leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Reading is ahead on established, employment.

University of Leeds vs University of Reading at a glance

University of Leeds and University of Reading both teach 60 subject areas, the largest being Economics, Civil Engineering and Finance & Actuarial Science. University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,700 a year at University of Leeds and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £7,850 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,500 a year at University of Leeds and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £5,050 a year cheaper.

Of the 40 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Leeds is higher in 24 and University of Reading in 15, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Microbiology & Cell Biology: £35,000 three years after graduating from University of Leeds, against £22,500 from University of Reading. Of the 43 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 26 and University of Leeds in 17.

World & National Rankings

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

#77
QS World
#196
#118
THE World
#201
#15
Guardian UK
#33
1904
Established
1892
Yes
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 Leeds

University of Reading

85.7%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£37,200
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.7%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.5%
18%

International

International student share

579
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

13
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.

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

60 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 Leeds

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Marketing, Ancient Languages, English Literature, Psychology (General), Education Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Food Science, Human Geography & Environment, Nutrition & Dietetics, Biological Sciences (General), Information & Library Studies, Zoology & Animal Biology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Teacher Training, Biomedical Sciences, Drama & Theatre, Biomedical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Fine Art, International Development, Linguistics, Medical Sciences, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Pharmacy, Biochemistry, Planning & Housing, Social Policy & Public Policy, Human Resource Management, Physical Geography & Climate, Classical Studies, English Language, History of Art & Design, Pharmacology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biology, Biotechnology, Architecture, Creative Writing, Film Production & Cinematography, Social Sciences (General), Clinical & Health Psychology.

Only at University of Leeds

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 Leeds
£33,700
University of Reading
£25,850

University of Reading is about £7,850 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Leeds
£31,500
University of Reading
£26,450

University of Reading is about £5,050 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 Leeds

University of Reading

  • Economics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    88%Satisfaction82%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    89%Satisfaction98%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    93%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemistry

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    85%Satisfaction77%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Business Studies

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    84%Satisfaction79%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    85%Satisfaction92%

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Design & Fashion

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    87%Satisfaction93%

  • Philosophy

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    82%Satisfaction96%

Showing the 12 largest of 43 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Leeds vs University of Reading: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,700 a year at University of Leeds and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £7,850 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,500 a year at University of Leeds and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £5,050 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 Leeds and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 60 subject areas: Economics, Civil Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Chemistry, History, Law, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Design & Fashion, Philosophy and 48 more.

Is University of Leeds or University of Reading better for Economics?

Economics graduates earn a median £36,000 three years after graduating from University of Leeds, and £32,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Leeds and 82% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Leeds lists 579 courses on CourseOptions and University of Reading lists 448 courses.

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

University of Leeds teaches 50 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Physics, Music, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Personal & Professional Development, Asian Languages & Studies, Medical Imaging, Theology & Religious Studies, English Studies and 42 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 10 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Building & Construction, Agriculture & Land Management, Archaeology, Accounting, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Animal Science, Combined & General Studies, Food Production & Technology and 2 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Leeds579 courses · 13 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses