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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 St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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.

1/10

Reading

scored higher in 1 category

VS

9/10

St Andrews

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of St Andrews leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Reading is ahead on employment.

University of Reading vs University of St Andrews at a glance

University of Reading and University of St Andrews both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being History, Ancient Languages and Economics. University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,850 a year at University of Reading and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of Reading is about £4,310 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,450 a year at University of Reading and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of Reading is about £750 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 21 and University of Reading in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £35,000 three years after graduating from University of Reading, against £51,500 from University of St Andrews. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 17 and University of Reading in 2, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#196
QS World
#115
#201
THE World
#162
#33
Guardian UK
#3
1892
Established
1413
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 St Andrews

85.1%
93.2%

Satisfaction

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

£35,800
£40,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.7%
74.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18%
46.1%

International

International student share

448
1157

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
62

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

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
  • 🇨🇳China9%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4%
  • 🇮🇳India4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%

Subjects

39 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 St Andrews

Also taught at both: Teacher Training, Computer Science, Law, Marketing, Agriculture & Land Management, English Literature, Geology & Earth Sciences, Information & Library Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Education Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Human Geography & Environment, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Zoology & Animal Biology, Combined & General Studies, Environmental Sciences, Animal Science, Creative Writing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.

Only at University of Reading

Only at University of St Andrews

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 St Andrews
£30,160

University of Reading is about £4,310 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Reading
£26,450
University of St Andrews
£27,200

University of Reading is about £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 St Andrews

  • History

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    95%Satisfaction97%

  • Ancient Languages

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction100%

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    82%Satisfaction93%

  • Classical Studies

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    97%Satisfaction97%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    92%Satisfaction95%

  • History of Art & Design

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    94%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£36,500
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • Media & Film Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    91%Satisfaction95%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    77%Satisfaction94%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£37,500
    77%Satisfaction84%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    83%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 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 St Andrews

Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Masters funding in Digital Health and Care

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship

100%

Deadline: May 2026

University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Reading vs University of St Andrews: common questions

Is University of Reading or University of St Andrews cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,850 a year at University of Reading and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of Reading is about £4,310 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,450 a year at University of Reading and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of Reading is about £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 St Andrews?

Both universities teach 39 subject areas: History, Ancient Languages, Economics, Classical Studies, Politics & International Relations, History of Art & Design, Mathematics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Media & Film Studies, Chemistry, Business & Management (General), Philosophy and 27 more.

Is University of Reading or University of St Andrews better for History?

History graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Reading, and £28,500 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at University of Reading and 97% at University of St Andrews. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Reading or University of St Andrews offer more courses?

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and University of Reading lists 448 courses.

What can you study at University of Reading but not at University of St Andrews?

University of Reading teaches 31 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Food Science, Archaeology, Accounting, Biological Sciences (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Nutrition & Dietetics and 23 more.

What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at University of Reading?

University of St Andrews teaches 25 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Italian, English Studies, Theology & Religious Studies, Eastern European Languages, Geography (General) and 17 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 St Andrews1,157 courses · 62 scholarshipsBrowse Courses