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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 Reading

Reading · QS World #196

U
University of South Wales

Pontypridd · QS World #1201

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

South Wales

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 South Wales is ahead on satisfaction, international, scholarship.

University of Reading vs University of South Wales at a glance

University of Reading and University of South Wales both teach 36 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Psychology (General) and Finance & Actuarial Science. University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas; University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,850 a year at University of Reading and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £9,650 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,450 a year at University of Reading and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £8,550 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 20 and University of South Wales in 2. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £39,500 three years after graduating from University of Reading, against £19,000 from University of South Wales. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of South Wales is higher in 16 and University of Reading in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#196
QS World
#1201
#201
THE World
#1201
#33
Guardian UK
#83
1892
Established
1913
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

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 South Wales

85.1%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£35,800
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.7%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18%
22%

International

International student share

448
331

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
23

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

South Wales

71 countries · 22% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%

Subjects

36 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 South Wales

Also taught at both: Management, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Civil Engineering, Education Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Drama & Theatre, Fine Art, Medical Sciences, Animal Science, Biology, Human Resource Management, Social Sciences (General), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at University of Reading

Only at University of South Wales

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 South Wales
£16,200

University of South Wales is about £9,650 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Reading
£26,450
University of South Wales
£17,900

University of South Wales is about £8,550 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 South Wales

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    77%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    83%Satisfaction90%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    83%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    86%Satisfaction96%

  • Building & Construction

    £36,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Design & Fashion

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    93%Satisfaction88%

  • Marketing

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    76%Satisfaction94%

  • History

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    95%Satisfaction95%

  • Teacher Training

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    77%Satisfaction97%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    94%Satisfaction97%

  • Business Studies

    £39,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    79%Satisfaction91%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    77%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 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 South Wales

USW Postgraduate Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027/2028

100%

Deadline: Jul 2027

USW Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Reading vs University of South Wales: common questions

Is University of Reading or University of South Wales cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,850 a year at University of Reading and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £9,650 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,450 a year at University of Reading and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £8,550 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 South Wales?

Both universities teach 36 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Law, Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Marketing, History, Teacher Training, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Business Studies, Chemistry and 24 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £35,500 three years after graduating from University of Reading, and £19,000 from University of South Wales. Student satisfaction with teaching is 77% at University of Reading and 94% at University of South Wales. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Reading or University of South Wales offer more courses?

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and University of South Wales lists 331 courses.

What can you study at University of Reading but not at University of South Wales?

University of Reading teaches 34 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Economics, Mathematics, Agriculture & Land Management, English Literature, Philosophy, Food Science, Information & Library Studies, Ancient Languages and 26 more.

What can you study at University of South Wales but not at University of Reading?

University of South Wales teaches 27 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Healthcare Science, Aerospace Engineering, Nursing (General), Counselling & Psychotherapy, Software Engineering, Forensic Science, Music, Community & Specialist Nursing and 19 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses
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University of South Wales331 courses · 23 scholarshipsBrowse Courses