University of Reading

About the University

Established as an extension college of Christ Church, Oxford in 1892, we received a Royal Charter in 1926. Our magnificent setting is one of the University’s greatest attractions. Many hectares of mature parkland provide the backdrop to an interesting mix of traditional and modern architecture to create a unique campus atmosphere. Campus life at the University of Reading has much to offer our 16,000 students. Our diverse student population offers a cosmopolitan experience, with 20% of our students coming from over 125 countries. Contemporary study facilities, halls of residence, support services, cafés and bars are centrally located on one of the most attractive university campuses in the UK. Continuous investment means that our students experience state-of-the-art facilities and resources, and subsequently rank us highly in terms of student satisfaction. All this is just a short walk or ride from the centre of Reading with its lively mix of culture, nightlife, shops and eating-places.

Areas of Academic Excellence

As a University of Reading student you will be studying at one of the UK’s top research intensive universities. We are highly regarded, nationally and internationally, for the quality of our research, and we are committed to ensuring that our postgraduate research students benefit from our outstanding research environment. We are also committed to ensuring that our students have good supervision and support, and this is reflected in our very high submission rates and subsequent post-graduate employment rates.
Our research excellence extends across a broad range of disciplines in the life sciences, environmental & physical sciences, economics, business & social sciences, and arts & humanities. In the outcomes of the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) over 87% of the University’s research rated as of international standing. We are home to several centres of excellence and conduct world-class research across a broad range of disciplines. Throughout your time with us you will work with international authorities in their fields and be at the frontiers of knowledge. You will be part of an active research community that thrives on challenging ideas and pioneering solutions to complex problems.

Funding Opportunities

The University of Reading offers a range of funding opportunities for taught and research students in all disciplines. The extent of these awards varies, from payment of fees paid and a stipend for each year of study, to smaller awards to support fieldwork and attendance at conferences. These funding opportunities are awarded via an application process. Applications are reviewed by a board of academic members of staff, looking at academic merit, research aims and academic references.

Student Experience

As a student with us you will find the University of Reading has plenty to offer. With its green open spaces, lake, rare trees and wildlife it is an exceptional environment in which to study, live and relax. Facilities include extensive indoor and outdoor sports facilities, including pitches, courts, playing fields and a fully equipped sports centre, a Student Union’s Union ranked as one of the top UK university entertainment venues, and one of the highest proportions of residential student accommodation among UK universities, with over 4000 rooms available. Alongside all this we have a full range of services in place to care for students’ health and wellbeing, including support for those from overseas or with special needs, housed in our dedicated Student Services Building.