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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 Leicester

Leicester · QS World #314

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.

6/11

Leicester

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

5/11

Reading

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Leicester leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, satisfaction, international, scholarship). University of Reading is ahead on ranking, established, employment, graduate salary, courses.

University of Leicester vs University of Reading at a glance

University of Leicester and University of Reading both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Law and Finance & Actuarial Science. University of Leicester offers 351 courses across 72 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,100 a year at University of Leicester and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Leicester is about £750 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 18 and University of Leicester in 6, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £27,500 three years after graduating from University of Leicester, against £39,000 from University of Reading. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Leicester is higher in 13 and University of Reading in 13, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#314
QS World
#196
#192
THE World
#201
#30
Guardian UK
#33
1921
Established
1892
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
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 Leicester

University of Reading

86.2%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

19.3%
18%

International

International student share

351
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

28
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.

Leicester

81 countries · 19.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India36.3%
  • 🇨🇦Canada14.8%
  • 🇨🇳China9.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.9%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates1.9%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

45 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 Leicester

University of Reading

Also taught at both: English Literature, Geology & Earth Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Information & Library Studies, Management, Media & Film Studies, Archaeology, Business Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Human Geography & Environment, Accounting, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Classical Studies, Pharmacy, Biochemistry, Environmental Sciences, Medical Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Civil Engineering, Human Resource Management, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Creative Writing, History of Art & Design, Biotechnology, Film Production & Cinematography, Linguistics, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Sciences (General).

Only at University of Leicester

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 Leicester
£25,100
University of Reading
£25,850

University of Leicester is about £750 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Leicester
No data
University of Reading
£26,450

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

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 Leicester

University of Reading

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£35,500
    82%Satisfaction77%

  • Law

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    81%Satisfaction82%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Mathematics

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    79%Satisfaction86%

  • Chemistry

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction77%

  • Computer Science

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    83%Satisfaction76%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    82%Satisfaction96%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    82%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 27 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Leicester

International Undergraduate Tuition Fee Waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

ULSB International Deans Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Leicester-King Power Thai Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Leicester vs University of Reading: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,100 a year at University of Leicester and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Leicester is about £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 Leicester and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Law, Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics, Biological Sciences (General), History, Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Childhood & Youth Studies and 33 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from University of Leicester, and £35,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at University of Leicester and 77% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and University of Leicester lists 351 courses.

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

University of Leicester teaches 27 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Physics, General Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Journalism, English Studies, Software Engineering, Applied Psychology and 19 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 25 subject areas that University of Leicester does not, including Building & Construction, Agriculture & Land Management, Philosophy, Design & Fashion, Food Science, Teacher Training, Nutrition & Dietetics, Ecology & Conservation and 17 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Leicester351 courses · 28 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses