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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 York

York · QS World #158

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/12

Reading

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

9/12

York

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of York leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). University of Reading is ahead on established, employment, graduate salary.

University of Reading vs University of York at a glance

University of Reading and University of York both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Mathematics and Chemistry. University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas; University of York offers 532 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,850 a year at University of Reading and £27,500 at University of York: University of Reading is about £1,650 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,450 a year at University of Reading and £27,250 at University of York: University of Reading is about £800 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of York is higher in 12 and University of Reading in 11, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £38,500 three years after graduating from University of Reading, against £30,500 from University of York. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Reading is higher in 16 and University of York in 10, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#196
QS World
#158
#201
THE World
#154
#33
Guardian UK
#20
1892
Established
1963
No
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Gold

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 York

85.1%
87.1%

Satisfaction

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

£35,800
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.7%
80.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

18%
18.6%

International

International student share

448
532

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
3

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

York

97 countries · 18.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.1%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.3%
  • 🌐Korea (South)2.2%

Subjects

51 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 York

Also taught at both: Marketing, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biomedical Sciences, Psychology (General), Education Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Childhood & Youth Studies, History of Art & Design, Business Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, Linguistics, Design & Fashion, Biology, Ecology & Conservation, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Media & Film Studies, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Accounting, Biochemistry, Film Production & Cinematography, Medical Sciences, Teacher Training, International Development, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, Drama & Theatre, English Language, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Creative Writing, Biotechnology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Social Sciences (General).

Only at University of Reading

Only at University of York

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 York
£27,500

University of Reading is about £1,650 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Reading
£26,450
University of York
£27,250

University of Reading is about £800 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 York

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    77%Satisfaction80%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    77%Satisfaction92%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £38,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction74%

  • Computer Science

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    76%Satisfaction73%

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£35,500
    82%Satisfaction75%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • History

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Archaeology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    93%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    96%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 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 York

Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

York Bursary

£1,000

Deadline: N/A

York Futures Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Reading vs University of York: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,850 a year at University of Reading and £27,500 at University of York: University of Reading is about £1,650 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,450 a year at University of Reading and £27,250 at University of York: University of Reading is about £800 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 York?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Chemistry, Finance & Actuarial Science, Computer Science, Economics, Politics & International Relations, Law, Philosophy, History, Archaeology, Sociology & Criminology and 39 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £35,500 three years after graduating from University of Reading, and £30,500 from University of York. Student satisfaction with teaching is 77% at University of Reading and 80% at University of York. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of York lists 532 courses on CourseOptions and University of Reading lists 448 courses.

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

University of Reading teaches 19 subject areas that University of York does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Food Science, Information & Library Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Nutrition & Dietetics, Pharmacy, Fine Art and 11 more.

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

University of York teaches 31 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Physics, Music, English Studies, Forensic Science, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Humanities and 23 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 York532 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses