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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.

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University of Reading

Reading · QS World #196

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University of Salford

Salford · QS World #1001

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.

7/10

Reading

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

Salford

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Reading leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, graduate salary, courses). University of Salford is ahead on satisfaction, international, scholarship.

University of Reading vs University of Salford at a glance

University of Reading and University of Salford both teach 41 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science and Building & Construction. University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas; University of Salford offers 305 courses across 72 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,850 a year at University of Reading and £17,040 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £8,810 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,450 a year at University of Reading and £17,710 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £8,740 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 27 and University of Salford in 1. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £38,500 three years after graduating from University of Reading, against £21,000 from University of Salford. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 17 and University of Salford in 9, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#196
QS World
#1001
#201
THE World
#801
#33
Guardian UK
#82
1892
Established
1896
No
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 Reading

University of Salford

85.1%
85.2%

Satisfaction

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

£35,800
£28,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.7%
82.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18%
19.1%

International

International student share

448
305

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
5

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.

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

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

Salford

63 countries · 19.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India34.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria27.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan12.9%
  • 🌐Kuwait3.7%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.6%

Subjects

41 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 Reading

University of Salford

Also taught at both: English Literature, Human Geography & Environment, Management, Philosophy, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biochemistry, Computer Science, Drama & Theatre, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Media & Film Studies, Civil Engineering, Fine Art, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Accounting, Architecture, Ecology & Conservation, Physical Geography & Climate, Creative Writing, Social Sciences (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Human Resource Management, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biotechnology.

Only at University of Reading

Only at University of Salford

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 Reading
£25,850
University of Salford
£17,040

University of Salford is about £8,810 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Reading
£26,450
University of Salford
£17,710

University of Salford is about £8,740 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 Reading

University of Salford

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    77%Satisfaction74%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Building & Construction

    £36,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Business Studies

    £39,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    79%Satisfaction99%

  • Design & Fashion

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    93%Satisfaction90%

  • Marketing

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    76%Satisfaction71%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    83%Satisfaction79%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    86%Satisfaction81%

  • History

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    96%Satisfaction80%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£18,000
    75%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of Salford

Salford/International Nursing College Scholarships

£8,160

Deadline: N/A

Salford/EATL Data Science Scholarships

£7,100

Deadline: N/A

Global Gold Excellence Scholarship

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

Global Silver Excellence Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

IFY Excellence Scholarship

£2,500

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Reading vs University of Salford: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,850 a year at University of Reading and £17,040 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £8,810 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,450 a year at University of Reading and £17,710 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £8,740 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 Reading and University of Salford?

Both universities teach 41 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Building & Construction, Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Marketing, Psychology (General), Law, History, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Film Production & Cinematography and 29 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £35,500 three years after graduating from University of Reading, and £21,500 from University of Salford. Student satisfaction with teaching is 77% at University of Reading and 74% at University of Salford. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and University of Salford lists 305 courses.

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

University of Reading teaches 29 subject areas that University of Salford does not, including Economics, Agriculture & Land Management, Food Science, Information & Library Studies, Ancient Languages, Archaeology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Teacher Training and 21 more.

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

University of Salford teaches 31 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Counselling & Psychotherapy, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Journalism, Midwifery, Music, Nursing (General), Business Information Systems and 23 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses
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University of Salford305 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses