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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 Nottingham

Nottingham · QS World #97

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.

10/11

Nottingham

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

1/11

Reading

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

University of Nottingham leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Reading is ahead on employment.

University of Nottingham vs University of Reading at a glance

University of Nottingham and University of Reading both teach 60 subject areas, the largest being Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Finance & Actuarial Science. University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,000 a year at University of Nottingham and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £7,150 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,800 a year at University of Nottingham and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £4,350 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Nottingham is higher in 20 and University of Reading in 9. The widest gap is in Architecture: £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Nottingham, against £36,500 from University of Reading. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 18 and University of Nottingham in 8, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#97
QS World
#196
#145
THE World
#201
#21
Guardian UK
#33
1881
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 Nottingham

University of Reading

86.6%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£40,400
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.7%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

21.1%
18%

International

International student share

580
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
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.

Nottingham

98 countries · 21.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China42.6%
  • 🇮🇳India9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%
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 Nottingham

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Civil Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Archaeology, Marketing, Food Science, Media & Film Studies, Architecture, Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Nutrition & Dietetics, Biotechnology, English Literature, Linguistics, Pharmacy, Social Sciences (General), Biochemistry, Classical Studies, Zoology & Animal Biology, Ancient Languages, Environmental Sciences, International Development, Accounting, Animal Science, Ecology & Conservation, Geology & Earth Sciences, Pharmacology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, English Language, History of Art & Design, Creative Writing, Education Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Food Production & Technology, Human Resource Management, Social Policy & Public Policy, Clinical & Health Psychology, Film Production & Cinematography.

Only at University of Nottingham

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 Nottingham
£33,000
University of Reading
£25,850

University of Reading is about £7,150 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Nottingham
£30,800
University of Reading
£26,450

University of Reading is about £4,350 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 Nottingham

University of Reading

  • Economics

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    83%Satisfaction82%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    79%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    79%Satisfaction76%

  • Philosophy

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    93%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Building & Construction

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£36,500
    77%Satisfaction90%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Mathematics

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Chemistry

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction77%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    92%Satisfaction98%

Showing the 12 largest of 30 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Nottingham

Taiwan Research Hub PhD Scholarship 2026/27

£11,000

Deadline: N/A

Molson Coors Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

The Witty Entrepreneurial Scholarship

£750

Deadline: N/A

Hillsborough Trust Memorial Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Nottingham vs University of Reading: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,000 a year at University of Nottingham and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £7,150 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,800 a year at University of Nottingham and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Reading is about £4,350 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 Nottingham and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 60 subject areas: Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Philosophy, History, Building & Construction, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Mathematics and 48 more.

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

Economics graduates earn a median £38,500 three years after graduating from University of Nottingham, and £32,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at University of Nottingham and 82% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Nottingham lists 580 courses on CourseOptions and University of Reading lists 448 courses.

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

University of Nottingham teaches 38 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Chemical Engineering, Physics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Public Health & Epidemiology, English Studies, Health & Social Care and 30 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 10 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Information & Library Studies, Teacher Training, Biological Sciences (General), Fine Art, Medical Sciences, Planning & Housing, Combined & General Studies 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 Nottingham580 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses