The central university has endemic inefficiency, and can issue communications which leave more questions than answers. However, despite this the staff work hard to deliver good teaching. The facilities on campus are generally good, although some of the specialist equipment can be antiquated.

The chemistry specific training is good and I have very good supervision from my supervisor, however, the general university training sessions can be very hit and miss. My supervisor is very flexible regarding meetings, and is very accommodating of what I need and is in favour of me working from home when it's beneficial for me. University wide training is often in person and can be canceled last minute, which is very inconvenient. I have had days where I have not been able to go to external facilities because of University wide training, for it to then be cancelled after I have finalised plans. There is very limited on-line training, not supporting by distance students. Some of the university training is very good, particularly those from external providers. My favourite session was one on poster design, which I found very useful.

The campus is a nice place to be with bars and a shop. Central Reading (and good train links to London) are close-by too. Student support are overworked and it shows, however they're friendly when you do interact with them. The post graduate office and legal teams can be rather ineffective, meaning things take a long time to happen! Reading University Students Union have good advisers and support lots of societies. They're keen to be active, and initiatives like the 360 bus (from campus round the student areas) were great. However they can also get distracted by small issues that they try to turn in to something much bigger (e.g. all the effort they put in to re-branding). The facilities at the university are adequate, however, the staff don't have as much time as they should for research. It often feels like the research happens despite the equipment, rather than being enabled by it. Plenty of equipment is cobbled together to do things on the cheap. That said, the links with facilities such as Diamond Light Source (the UK's synchrotron facility) are strong.

The compulsory university wide training programs can be a bit hit and miss. As a 'PhD by distance' student based at another facility it can be irritating having to come for training sessions which may or may not be useful. My supervision is good, and I'm developing links with other researchers and I'm being exposed to the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrochemistry communities. The facilities at the university are limited for my work, and it feels like we have to work around the facilities, rather than being enabled by them. I am meeting former PhD students and developing links with other groups. All of which help my career prospects at the end of my PhD.

The halls are extortionately expensive. They are in a good place to access activities on campus and the security team are nice, making it feel very safe. The internet provision is very good, with reasonable WIFI and very good ethernet connections. The cleaners are good, however the halls aren't great at dealing with students who can be disruptive/helping cause rodent problems...