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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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.

4/11

Plymouth

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Reading

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Reading leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Plymouth is ahead on TEF, established, satisfaction, scholarship.

University of Plymouth vs University of Reading at a glance

University of Plymouth and University of Reading both teach 46 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science and Economics. University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,200 a year at University of Plymouth and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Plymouth is about £6,650 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at University of Plymouth and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Plymouth is about £6,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 31 and University of Plymouth in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £24,000 three years after graduating from University of Plymouth, against £39,500 from University of Reading. Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 17 and University of Plymouth in 12, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#691
QS World
#196
#501
THE World
#201
#56
Guardian UK
#33
1862
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 Plymouth

University of Reading

86.6%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£30,300
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.2%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

11.9%
18%

International

International student share

310
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
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.

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%
VS

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Subjects

46 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 Plymouth

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Management, Ecology & Conservation, Nutrition & Dietetics, Civil Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Computer Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Childhood & Youth Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Accounting, Biological Sciences (General), Education Studies, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Zoology & Animal Biology, Fine Art, Medical Sciences, Creative Writing, Film Production & Cinematography, Architecture, Clinical & Health Psychology, Human Resource Management, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, Drama & Theatre, Media & Film Studies, Biology, Social Sciences (General).

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200
University of Reading
£25,850

University of Plymouth is about £6,650 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Plymouth
£19,500
University of Reading
£26,450

University of Plymouth is about £6,950 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 Plymouth

University of Reading

  • Business & Management (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    83%Satisfaction77%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    90%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    91%Satisfaction82%

  • Law

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    91%Satisfaction91%

  • Building & Construction

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£36,500
    90%Satisfaction90%

  • History

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Design & Fashion

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    77%Satisfaction93%

  • Mathematics

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction92%

  • Marketing

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction76%

Showing the 12 largest of 36 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Plymouth vs University of Reading: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,200 a year at University of Plymouth and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Plymouth is about £6,650 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,500 a year at University of Plymouth and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Plymouth is about £6,950 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 Plymouth and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 46 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics, Law, Psychology (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Building & Construction, History, Design & Fashion, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Marketing and 34 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from University of Plymouth, and £35,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at University of Plymouth and 77% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 32 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Dentistry, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marine Engineering & Technology, English Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Children's Nursing and 24 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 24 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including English Literature, Philosophy, Food Science, Information & Library Studies, Ancient Languages, Archaeology, Teacher Training, Microbiology & Cell Biology and 16 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses