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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 Sunderland

Sunderland · Guardian UK #86

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

7/9

Reading

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

2/9

Sunderland

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Reading leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sunderland is ahead on satisfaction, international.

University of Reading vs University of Sunderland at a glance

University of Reading and University of Sunderland both teach 32 subject areas, the largest being Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General) and Law. University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,850 a year at University of Reading and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £8,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,450 a year at University of Reading and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £9,450 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 16 and University of Sunderland in 2. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £39,500 three years after graduating from University of Reading, against £20,000 from University of Sunderland. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sunderland is higher in 16 and University of Reading in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

#196
QS World
—
#201
THE World
#1501
#33
Guardian UK
#86
1892
Established
1901
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 Sunderland

85.1%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£35,800
£24,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.7%
81.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18%
36.5%

International

International student share

448
193

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
0

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

Sunderland

56 countries · 36.5% international

  • 🌐Nepal29.5%
  • 🇮🇳India17.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
  • 🇨🇳China7.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%

Subjects

32 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 Sunderland

Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Teacher Training, Biochemistry, Fine Art, Media & Film Studies, Accounting, Film Production & Cinematography, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Pharmacy, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Education Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Human Resource Management, Clinical & Health Psychology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Sciences (General).

Only at University of Reading

Only at University of Sunderland

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 Sunderland
£17,500

University of Sunderland is about £8,350 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Reading
£26,450
University of Sunderland
£17,000

University of Sunderland is about £9,450 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 Sunderland

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    83%Satisfaction85%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    77%Satisfaction92%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    86%Satisfaction95%

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    82%Satisfaction89%

  • Marketing

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    76%Satisfaction91%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    83%Satisfaction88%

  • Business Studies

    £39,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    79%Satisfaction91%

  • Design & Fashion

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    93%Satisfaction90%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)No data
    77%Satisfaction89%

  • Agriculture & Land Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)No data
    83%Satisfaction97%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    76%Satisfaction78%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    96%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 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 Sunderland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Reading vs University of Sunderland: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,850 a year at University of Reading and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £8,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,450 a year at University of Reading and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £9,450 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 Sunderland?

Both universities teach 32 subject areas: Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General), Law, Economics, Marketing, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Chemistry, Agriculture & Land Management, Mathematics, Childhood & Youth Studies and 20 more.

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

Finance & Actuarial Science graduates earn a median £38,500 three years after graduating from University of Reading, and £20,000 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at University of Reading and 85% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sunderland lists 193 courses.

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

University of Reading teaches 38 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Building & Construction, History, Politics & International Relations, English Literature, Philosophy, Food Science, Information & Library Studies, Ancient Languages and 30 more.

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

University of Sunderland teaches 24 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism, Health & Social Care, Nursing (General), Performing Arts (General), Software Engineering, Applied Psychology, English Studies and 16 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 Sunderland193 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses