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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 Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

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.

9/10

Manchester

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

1/10

Reading

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Reading is ahead on employment.

University of Manchester vs University of Reading at a glance

University of Manchester and University of Reading both teach 58 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Economics and Business & Management (General). University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £6,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £350 a year cheaper.

Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 20 and University of Manchester in 13, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £29,000 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, against £39,000 from University of Reading. Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 20 and University of Manchester in 15, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#40
QS World
#196
#56
THE World
#201
#29
Guardian UK
#33
1824
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 Manchester

University of Reading

85.1%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£36,500
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

40%
18%

International

International student share

1041
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

6
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.

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

  • 🇨🇳China51%
  • 🇮🇳India7.6%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia4.9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

58 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 Manchester

University of Reading

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

Only at University of Manchester

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 Manchester
£32,300
University of Reading
£25,850

University of Reading is about £6,450 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Manchester
£26,800
University of Reading
£26,450

University of Reading is about £350 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 Manchester

University of Reading

  • Politics & International Relations

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Economics

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

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    88%Satisfaction77%

  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    81%Satisfaction85%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction77%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    91%Satisfaction95%

  • Management

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    84%Satisfaction81%

  • Biochemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    84%Satisfaction96%

Showing the 12 largest of 37 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Manchester

Spärck AI Scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

The Sadler Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

The Bason Family Bursary

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

The Cowrie Foundation Scholarships

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Accommodation Bursary

£2,050

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Manchester vs University of Reading: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £6,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £350 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 Manchester and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 58 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Economics, Business & Management (General), Microbiology & Cell Biology, Mathematics, Chemistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, History, Management, Biochemistry, Law, Sociology & Criminology and 46 more.

Is University of Manchester or University of Reading better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, and £27,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Manchester and 92% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Reading lists 448 courses.

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

University of Manchester teaches 58 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Physics, Chemical Engineering, Dentistry, Materials Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Statistics, Medicine, Nursing (General) and 50 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 12 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Building & Construction, Agriculture & Land Management, Food Science, Fine Art, Animal Science, Combined & General Studies, Food Production & Technology, Countryside & Rural Management and 4 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses