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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

U
University of Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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.

1/11

Reading

scored higher in 1 category

VS

10/11

Southampton

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton 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 Reading vs University of Southampton at a glance

University of Reading and University of Southampton both teach 53 subject areas, the largest being Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General) and Electronic & Electrical Engineering. University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,850 a year at University of Reading and £26,000 at University of Southampton, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,450 a year at University of Reading and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Reading is about £4,750 a year cheaper.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 21 and University of Reading in 12, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £35,000 three years after graduating from University of Reading, against £47,000 from University of Southampton. Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 19 and University of Southampton in 15, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#196
QS World
#111
#201
THE World
#129
#33
Guardian UK
#16
1892
Established
1862
No
Russell Group
Yes
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 Southampton

85.1%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£35,800
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.7%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18%
35.1%

International

International student share

448
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

53 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Ancient Languages, Politics & International Relations, Business Studies, Civil Engineering, Philosophy, Psychology (General), Environmental Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Computer Science, Management, Accounting, Education Studies, Teacher Training, Biomedical Sciences, Information & Library Studies, Biochemistry, Human Geography & Environment, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biological Sciences (General), Ecology & Conservation, Fine Art, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Policy & Public Policy, Zoology & Animal Biology, English Language, International Development, Biomedical Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Pharmacology, Biology, Architecture, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Sciences (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences.

Only at University of Reading

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

About the same.

Postgraduate

University of Reading
£26,450
University of Southampton
£31,200

University of Reading is about £4,750 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 Southampton

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£39,500
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    77%Satisfaction80%

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    82%Satisfaction85%

  • History

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    95%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • English Literature

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • Marketing

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    76%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    86%Satisfaction81%

  • Archaeology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    93%Satisfaction97%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    77%Satisfaction91%

  • Design & Fashion

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    93%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 35 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 Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Reading vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,850 a year at University of Reading and £26,000 at University of Southampton, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,450 a year at University of Reading and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Reading is about £4,750 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 53 subject areas: Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Economics, History, Law, English Literature, Geology & Earth Sciences, Marketing, Mathematics, Archaeology, Building & Construction and 41 more.

Is University of Reading or University of Southampton better for Finance & Actuarial Science?

Finance & Actuarial Science graduates earn a median £38,500 three years after graduating from University of Reading, and £39,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at University of Reading and 84% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and University of Reading lists 448 courses.

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

University of Reading teaches 17 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Food Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Pharmacy, Medical Sciences, Animal Science, Classical Studies and 9 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 38 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Marine Engineering & Technology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Music and 30 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses