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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 Liverpool

Liverpool · QS World #139

U
University of Reading

Reading · QS World #196

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

10/12

Liverpool

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

2/12

Reading

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Liverpool leads in 10 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). University of Reading is ahead on employment, graduate salary.

University of Liverpool vs University of Reading at a glance

University of Liverpool and University of Reading both teach 52 subject areas, the largest being History, Politics & International Relations and Sociology & Criminology. University of Liverpool offers 793 courses across 94 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £6,150 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £3,550 a year cheaper.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 26 and University of Liverpool in 7, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Liverpool, against £39,500 from University of Reading. Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Liverpool is higher in 15 and University of Reading in 15, with 5 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#139
QS World
#196
#143
THE World
#201
#28
Guardian UK
#33
1881
Established
1892
Yes
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 Liverpool

University of Reading

87.7%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£34,300
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.9%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.1%
18%

International

International student share

793
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

2
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.

Liverpool

93 countries · 24.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China40.6%
  • 🇮🇳India17.1%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

52 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 Liverpool

University of Reading

Also taught at both: English Literature, Marketing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Psychology (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Agriculture & Land Management, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Civil Engineering, Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Accounting, English Language, Ancient Languages, Childhood & Youth Studies, Design & Fashion, Ecology & Conservation, Human Geography & Environment, Information & Library Studies, Biology, Pharmacy, Physical Geography & Climate, Planning & Housing, Architecture, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences (General), Zoology & Animal Biology, Environmental Sciences, Pharmacology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biomedical Engineering, Human Resource Management, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Clinical & Health Psychology, Drama & Theatre, Film Production & Cinematography.

Only at University of Liverpool

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 Liverpool
£32,000
University of Reading
£25,850

University of Reading is about £6,150 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Liverpool
£30,000
University of Reading
£26,450

University of Reading is about £3,550 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 Liverpool

University of Reading

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction92%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    86%Satisfaction96%

  • Archaeology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    92%Satisfaction93%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    86%Satisfaction82%

  • Mathematics

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction86%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    86%Satisfaction83%

  • Business Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£39,500
    83%Satisfaction79%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)No data
    87%Satisfaction91%

  • Philosophy

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Chemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    84%Satisfaction77%

Showing the 12 largest of 35 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Liverpool

Liverpool Advancement Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Opportunity Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Liverpool vs University of Reading: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £6,150 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £3,550 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 Liverpool and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 52 subject areas: History, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Archaeology, Law, Economics, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies, Media & Film Studies, Philosophy and 40 more.

Is University of Liverpool or University of Reading better for History?

History graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from University of Liverpool, and £25,000 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at University of Liverpool and 95% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Liverpool lists 793 courses on CourseOptions and University of Reading lists 448 courses.

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

University of Liverpool teaches 42 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Music, Asian Languages & Studies, English Studies, French, Italian, German & Scandinavian Studies, Physics, Spanish & Portuguese and 34 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 18 subject areas that University of Liverpool does not, including Building & Construction, Food Science, Teacher Training, Nutrition & Dietetics, Fine Art, International Development, Medical Sciences, Animal Science and 10 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Liverpool793 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses