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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 the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

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

West of Scotland

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 the West of Scotland is ahead on satisfaction, international.

University of Reading vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

University of Reading and University of the West of Scotland both teach 25 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Business Studies and Law. University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,850 a year at University of Reading and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £10,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,450 a year at University of Reading and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £10,170 a year cheaper.

Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 8 and University of the West of Scotland in 1. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £39,500 three years after graduating from University of Reading, against £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 4 and University of the West of Scotland in 3, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#196
QS World
—
#201
THE World
#601
#33
Guardian UK
#115
1892
Established
1897
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 the West of Scotland

85.1%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£35,800
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.7%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18%
30.3%

International

International student share

448
119

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

25 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 the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Human Geography & Environment, Zoology & Animal Biology, Environmental Sciences, Education Studies, English Language, Media & Film Studies, Social Sciences (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering.

Only at University of Reading

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £10,350 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Reading
£26,450
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £10,170 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 the West of Scotland

  • Business Studies

    £39,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    79%Satisfaction75%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%SatisfactionNo data

  • Teacher Training

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    77%Satisfaction94%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    77%Satisfaction95%

  • Design & Fashion

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£17,500
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    96%SatisfactionNo data

  • Accounting

    £39,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    94%Satisfaction99%

  • Zoology & Animal Biology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    90%SatisfactionNo data

  • Education Studies

    £29,000Salary (3 years)No data
    97%Satisfaction96%

  • English Language

    £23,000Salary (3 years)No data
    95%Satisfaction83%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Reading vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is University of Reading or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,850 a year at University of Reading and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £10,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,450 a year at University of Reading and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £10,170 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 25 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Law, Teacher Training, Chemistry, Marketing, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Design & Fashion, Sociology & Criminology and 13 more.

Is University of Reading or University of the West of Scotland better for Business Studies?

Business Studies graduates earn a median £39,500 three years after graduating from University of Reading, and £21,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 79% at University of Reading and 75% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Reading or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at University of Reading but not at University of the West of Scotland?

University of Reading teaches 45 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics, Building & Construction, History, Agriculture & Land Management, English Literature, Philosophy, Management and 37 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of Reading?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 24 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Applied Computing, Business Information Systems, Computing & IT, General Engineering, Applied Psychology, Physics, Social Work, Aerospace Engineering and 16 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
U
University of the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses