Universities in Reading, England UK
- Rankings & Reviews -

Reading
4 out of 5
  • Universities in Reading
  • Ranked in at least one ranking
46
  • Different Rankings list
  • Universities in Reading
  • (38 institution and 8 subject rankings)
24
  • Global Rankings rank
  • Universities in Reading
  • Among TOP 200

Reading, Pennsylvania, is a modern city of about 85,000 inhabitants. It’s famous for its outlet stores and pretzel bakeries, which have earned it the nickname, The Pretzel City. Reading also has an important place in the history of New England as the former home of the famed Reading Railroad.

One of the more surprising buildings in the area, and a Reading icon, is the 120 year old Japanese style Pagoda that overlooks the city from Mount Penn with a beautiful view of Reading and its surroundings.

In and around Reading there are numerous green spaces favoured by local nature lovers and students who like outdoor activities, such as Antietam Lake, or the Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center. If you’re looking for a little more action and thrills, there are some great theme parks in the area, like Hersheypark and Dorney Park.

Students tend to appreciate the proximity of Reading to bigger cities like Philadelphia and New York.

PROS

  • Students often say that one of the best things about living in Reading is its convenient location and proximity to bigger cities.
  • Reading has one of the East Coast’s lowest costs of living, almost 25% more affordable to live in overall than the national average.

CONS

  • Although it’s a good thing being so close to NYC, the high number of daily commuters create intense traffic during rush hour.
  • The job market is fairly stable, but finding a job that suits your needs may not be the easiest task as there is not a lot of variety in the kinds of job positions available.
Latest ranking updates related to universities in Reading
  • 01 Jan, 2023: Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities updated with University of Reading ranked highest among 4 listed universities in Reading.
  • 28 Nov, 2022: New edition of URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance. in position #508.
  • 16 Nov, 2022: New edition of THE World Reputation Rankings. in position #176.
  • 26 Oct, 2022: New edition of THE World University Rankings by Subject (Life Sciences). 9 universities in Reading ranked.

Highest subject rankings of universities in Reading

Graphic Design The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#6 
University of Reading
Physical Sciences URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Subject
#8 
University of Reading
Archaeology CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
#9 
University of Reading
Education The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#9 
University of Reading
Agriculture & Forestry CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
#9 
University of Reading
Building CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
#9 
University of Reading
Creative Writing CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
#11 
University of Reading
Health Professions The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#14 
University of Reading
Italian CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
#14 
University of Reading
Civil Engineering CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
#28 
University of Reading

Rankings of universities in Reading, England UK 2023

Student satisfaction: 4.4 / 5.0 (340 reviews)
Card image

  • #23 
  • #198 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 12 October, 2022]
  • #24 
  • #30 
The Times Good University Guide
[Published 16 September, 2022]
  • #46 
  • #61 
The Guardian League Table
[Published 24 September, 2022]


Student satisfaction: 3.5 / 5.0 (48 reviews)
  • #477 
  • #401 
Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
[Published 14 September, 2021]
  • #823 
  • #855 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
  • #164 
  • #156 
US News Best National Liberal Arts Colleges
[Published 11 September, 2022]


  • #163 
  • #11981 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 01 January, 2023]


Student satisfaction: 4.7 / 5.0 (185 reviews)
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  • #597 
  • #600 
Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
[Published 14 September, 2021]
  • #1164 
  • #1218 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
  • #303 
  • #317 
US News Best National Universities
[Published 11 September, 2022]



Student Opinions About Studying in Reading

“Residents have access to many shops and restaurants downtown, and there’s always something to do after class. The city has a foodie side to it, and there are more than a few restaurants that I love, and I’d recommend Say Cheese and Let’s Taco’bout It for authentic and fresh food, as well as a great atmosphere. There are also festivals at certain times of the year which remind you why living in Reading is unique. It’s overall a fun place to live.”

“Reading is a small town, so you’ll easily familiarize with people around the area which makes it easier to socialise. Most jobs are education and healthcare related so it’s probably a good option to come here if that’s what you’re interested in. Weather is good and there’s plenty of outdoor activities to do.”

“Some days the traffic gets way out of hand, but in general it’s a peaceful city to live in, and there is not a lot of crime. The people around the neighbourhood often show they care about each other, which can be a hard thing to find in this day and age. There are plenty of fun things to do, and I find that this makes it easier to enjoy a more complete social life with your buddies.”

Reading Key Facts for International Students

Population: 319000

Time: GMT +0

District/province: England, Reading

Living costs for students in Reading:

* 100 = prices in London

  • Living costs without accommodation 101* (1% more expensive than London)
  • All costs including accommodation 80* (20% cheaper than London)
  • Meals (grocery & lower cost restaurants) 78* (22% cheaper than London)
  • Average Big Mac price 3.71 £
  • Plug Type G
    • Residential voltage: 230 V
    • Frequency: 50 Hz

Map with location of universities in Reading

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Student Life in Reading.

  • Walking tour into town centre | University of Reading
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University of Reading ranks #1 in Reading in our meta ranking composed of 133 university rankings.

Among all universities in Reading University of Reading is listed in the largest number of rankings. See all 47 rankings where University of Reading is listed.

University of Reading is ranked best in Reading for Design (Graphic Design). See all rankings for the University of Reading.

University of Reading is ranked best in Reading for Natural Sciences (Physical Sciences). See all rankings for the University of Reading.

University of Reading is ranked best in Reading for Social Studies & Humanities (Archaeology). See all rankings for the University of Reading.

University of Reading is ranked best in Reading for Education (Education). See all rankings for the University of Reading.

University of Reading is ranked best in Reading for Agriculture (Agriculture & Forestry). See all rankings for the University of Reading.

University of Reading is ranked best in Reading for Architecture, Building & Planning (Building). See all rankings for the University of Reading.

University of Reading is ranked best in Reading for Arts Visual & Performing (Creative Writing). See all rankings for the University of Reading.

University of Reading is ranked best in Reading for Medicine & Health (Health Professions). See all rankings for the University of Reading.

University of Reading is ranked best in Reading for Languages & Literature (Italian). See all rankings for the University of Reading.

University of Reading is ranked best in Reading for Engineering (Civil Engineering). See all rankings for the University of Reading.

University of Reading is ranked best in Reading for Mathematics (Mathematics). See all rankings for the University of Reading.

University of Reading is ranked best in Reading for Computer Science (Computer Science). See all rankings for the University of Reading.

University of Reading is ranked best in Reading for Law (Law). See all rankings for the University of Reading.

Ranking publishers

British Quacquarelli Symonds, UK

Criteria used in ranking -QS World University Rankings:
Academic Reputation 40%
Employer Reputation 10%
Faculty/Student Ratio 20%
Citations per faculty 20%
International Faculty Ratio 5%
International Student Ratio 5%

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CWUR Center for World University Rankings

Criteria used in ranking -CWUR Center for World University Rankings:
Research Performance (40%)
-Research Output 10%
-High-Quality Publications 10%
-Influence 10%
-Citations 10%

Quality of Education 25%

Alumni Employment 25%

Quality of Faculty 10%

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Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, Netherlands

Criteria used in ranking -CWTS Leiden Ranking:
-Scientific Impact
-Number of Publications
-Collaboration
-Open Access
-Gender Diversity

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NTU ranking

Criteria used in ranking -NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers:
Research Productivity (25%)
-# Articles last 11 years 10%
-# Articles current year 15%

Research Impact (35%)
-# Citations last 11 years 15%
-# Citations last 2 years 10%
-Average # citations last 11 years 10%

Research Excellence (40%)
-H-index last 2 years 10%
-# Highly cited papers last 11 years 15%
-# Articles current year in high-impact journals 15%

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Payscale

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RUR Ranking Agency (Moscow, Russia)

Criteria used in ranking -RUR World University Rankings:
Teaching (40%)
-Ratio Faculty/Student 8%
-Ratio Faculty/Bachelor Degrees Awarded 8%
-Ratio Faculty/Doctoral Degrees Awarded 8%
-Ratio Doctoral Degrees Awarded/Bachelor Degrees Awarded 8%
-World Teaching Reputation 8%

Research (40%)
-Citations per Academic/Research Staff 8%
-Doctoral Degrees per Accepted PhD 8%
-Normalized Citation Impact 8%
-Papers per Academic/Research Staff 8%
-World Research Reputation 8%

International Diversity (10%)
-% International Faculty 2%
-% International Students 2%
-% International Co-Authored Papers 2%
-Reputation Outside Geographical Region 2%
-International Level 2%

Financial Sustainability (10%)
-Institutional Income per Faculty 2%
-Institutional Income per Student 2%
-Papers per Research Income 2%
-Research Income per Academic/Research Staff 2%
-% Research Income per Institutional Income 2%

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Scimago Institutions

Criteria used in ranking -Scimago Institutions Rankings:
Research (50%)
- Normalized Impact 13%
- Excellence with Leadership 8%
- Output 8%
- Scientific Leadership 5%
- Not Own Journals 3%
- Own Journals 3%
- Excellence 2%
- High Quality Publications 2%
- International Collaboration 2%
- Open Access 2%
- Scientific Talent Pool 2%

Innovation (30%)
- Innovative Knowledge 10%
- Patents 10%
- Technological Impact 10%

Societal (20%)
- Altmetrics 10%
- Inbound Links 5%
- Web Size 5%

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ShanghaiRanking Consultancy

Criteria used in ranking -ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking:
Quality of Education 10%
- Alumni winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 10%

Quality of Faculty 40%
- Staff winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 20%
- Highly Cited Researchers 20%

Research Output 40%
- Papers published in Nature and Science 20%
- Papers indexed in Science Citation Index-Expanded & Social Science Citation Index 20%

Per Capita Performance 10%

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StuDocu

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THE Times Higher Education, UK

Criteria used in ranking -THE World University Rankings:
30% Teaching (the Learning Environment)
- Reputation survey: 15%
- Staff-to-student ratio: 4.5%
- Doctorate-to-bachelor’s ratio: 2.25%
- Doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio: 6%
- Institutional income: 2.25%

30% Research (Volume, Income and Reputation)
- Reputation survey: 18%
- Research income: 6%
- Research productivity: 6%

30% Citations (Research Influence)

7.5% International Outlook (Staff, Students and Research)
- Proportion of international students: 2.5%
- Proportion of international staff: 2.5%
- International collaboration: 2.5%

2.5% Industry Income (Knowledge Transfer)

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The Guardian News and Media Limited

Criteria used in ranking -The Guardian League Table:
Student to Staff Ratio 15%
Entry Standards 15%
Expenditure per Student 5%
Continuation 15% (non-medical subjects) OR 5% (medical subjects)
NSS - Teaching 8%
NSS - Assessment & Feedback 8%
NSS - Overall Satisfaction 4%
Career Prospects 15%
Value added 15%

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The Times and The Sunday Times

Criteria used in ranking -The Times Good University Guide:
Student Satisfaction 18.75%
- Teaching Quality (12.5%)
- Student Experience (6.75%)
Research Quality 18.75%
Entry Standards 12.5%
Graduate Prospects 12.5%
Firsts and 2:1s 12.5%
Completion Rates 12.5%
Student Staff Ratio 12.5%

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The University League Tables

Criteria used in ranking -CUG The Complete University Guide:
Entry Standards 12.5%
Student Satisfaction 18.75%
Student-Staff Ratio 12.5%
Research Quality 12.5%
Research Intensity 6.25%
Academic Service Spending 6.25%
Facilities Spending 6.25%
Graduate Prospects 12.5%
Degree Completion Rate 12.5%

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Urap

Criteria used in ranking -URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance:
Articles (Current Scientific Productivity) 21%
Total Documents (Scientific Productivity) 10%
Citations (Research Impact) 21%
Article Impact Total (Research Quality) 18%
Citation Impact Total (Research Quality) 15%
International Collaboration (International Acceptance) 15%

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Us News

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Criteria used in ranking -US News: Best Global Universities:
Reputation 25%
-Global research reputation 12.5%
-Regional research reputation 12.5%
Research (Publications, Citations, Conferences, Research collaboration) 65%
-Publications 10%
-Books 2.5%
-Conferences 2.5%
-Normalized citation impact 10%
-Total citations 7.5%
-Number of publications that are among the 10% most cited 12.5%
-Percentage of total publications that are among the 10% most cited 10%
-International collaboration relative to country 5%
-International collaboration 5%
Scientific Excellence 10%
-Number of highly cited papers that are among the top 1% most cited in their respective field 5%
-Percentage of total publications that are among the top 1% most highly cited papers 5%

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Wallstreet Journal USA & THE Times Higher Education, UK

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Washington Monthly

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Webometrics

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