Planning and Geography

University of Reading

Good courses, beautiful campus, well researched lecturers. Blissful accommodation. Only drawback is the lack of big events e.g. Some unis get famous bands or comedians etc. However, the (incredible) summer ball made up for this a little bit!!!

Post grad study and department (SAGES) is great, couldn't ask for more support and student reps are regularly in contact to ask for any issues or suggestions. I have my own desk, access to free printing in my department, and it looks like accessing labs and lab materials when I need them will be easy. Post grad skills training is good, and having a free choice in what training I need to do is helpful. Every member of staff I have met so far has been helpful, supportive and interested in talking and sharing ideas. Within the department, there are a few good social / presentation groups which meet regularly. There does feel like there is a bit of a lack of interaction between departments so there could be more going on across departmental lines where subjects overlap. As a post-grad living off campus, I have had no interactions at all with the Student Union, or any freshers events and I don't know how to go about looking into societies or joining any. It could be good to have Welcome Week events / January events reach out more to post-grads as I'm not sure we got any information about joining in with wider Uni life or if I just missed it. It would be nice to have some way to find people with similar interests where there isn't a specific society - possibly some sort of Uni-wide forum style thing, on one of the uni apps, or hosted on social media, that could have areas for different groups to interact e.g. mature student group, craft groups, etc. Along that line it could also be good to have some sort of digital notice board that was regularly updated with approved posts from uni community - societies could publicize any events they have on, people could point out shows going on in town etc. As it is I feel pretty connected with my department but very disconnected with the wider uni. It could also be nice to have some sort of casual walking tours of campus going on in the first few weeks of new terms, as it would be nice to get insider info on what kind of food each cafe does, when you can go in the little museums, etc. Its such a beautiful campus but it can be tricky to appreciate it fully if you don't have anyone to explore with. Similarly if there isn't already one could have some sort of newcomers guide to Reading town from the Union, to help with moving to a new area. The library is great - the staff there are very helpful, it feels like a good welcoming space to work, the group work rooms are easy to book and the cafe is good, although all food on campus is quite expensive. The library has also done a few events and things in the lobby, it would be great to see more of them. Overall - study experience so far is great, SAGES School is fantastic, wider uni social experience could be a bit better for post grads.