Skip to main content

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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth · QS World #662

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.

5/11

Portsmouth

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

6/11

Reading

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

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

University of Portsmouth vs University of Reading at a glance

University of Portsmouth and University of Reading both teach 52 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Economics and Finance & Actuarial Science. University of Portsmouth offers 446 courses across 84 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,900 a year at University of Portsmouth and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Portsmouth is about £7,950 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,600 a year at University of Portsmouth and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Portsmouth is about £7,850 a year cheaper.

Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 29 and University of Portsmouth in 2, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £27,000 three years after graduating from University of Portsmouth, against £39,500 from University of Reading. Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 19 and University of Portsmouth in 16, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#662
QS World
#196
#401
THE World
#201
#55
Guardian UK
#33
1869
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 Portsmouth

University of Reading

86.9%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£32,100
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.4%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.5%
18%

International

International student share

446
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.

Portsmouth

96 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India22.1%
  • 🇨🇳China11.6%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.8%
  • 🌐Kuwait7.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.6%
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 Portsmouth

University of Reading

Also taught at both: Accounting, Psychology (General), Mathematics, Teacher Training, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Literature, Ancient Languages, Human Resource Management, Social Policy & Public Policy, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Architecture, Biomedical Sciences, Civil Engineering, English Language, Film Production & Cinematography, International Development, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Media & Film Studies, Pharmacy, Creative Writing, Ecology & Conservation, Environmental Sciences, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Biochemistry, Linguistics, Physical Geography & Climate, Planning & Housing, Biomedical Engineering, Drama & Theatre, Pharmacology, Social Sciences (General), Combined & General Studies, Biology, Biotechnology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation.

Only at University of Portsmouth

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 Portsmouth
£17,900
University of Reading
£25,850

University of Portsmouth is about £7,950 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Portsmouth
£18,600
University of Reading
£26,450

University of Portsmouth is about £7,850 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 Portsmouth

University of Reading

  • Business & Management (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£35,500
    87%Satisfaction77%

  • Economics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    85%Satisfaction82%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    93%Satisfaction83%

  • Building & Construction

    £36,500Salary (3 years)£36,500
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    87%Satisfaction96%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction92%

  • Law

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Management

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    87%Satisfaction81%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    85%Satisfaction79%

  • Computer Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    82%Satisfaction76%

  • Marketing

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    86%Satisfaction76%

  • Design & Fashion

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    83%Satisfaction93%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Portsmouth

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Estée Lauder Companies - Whitman Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Language Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

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 Portsmouth vs University of Reading: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,900 a year at University of Portsmouth and £25,850 at University of Reading: University of Portsmouth is about £7,950 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,600 a year at University of Portsmouth and £26,450 at University of Reading: University of Portsmouth is about £7,850 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 Portsmouth and University of Reading?

Both universities teach 52 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Building & Construction, Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations, Law, Management, Business Studies, Computer Science, Marketing, Design & Fashion and 40 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Portsmouth, and £35,500 from University of Reading. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at University of Portsmouth and 77% at University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and University of Portsmouth lists 446 courses.

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

University of Portsmouth teaches 32 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including General Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Mechanical Engineering, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Applied Computing and 24 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 18 subject areas that University of Portsmouth does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Chemistry, Philosophy, Food Science, Information & Library Studies, Archaeology, Biological Sciences (General), Microbiology & Cell Biology and 10 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Portsmouth446 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses