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The overall ranking is decided by students from this institution rating them in a 2026 Whatuni review. This forms the basis of the Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs for short).
4.03.93.7556 Student reviews
Sort:Latest reviewsThe university facilities are great for the most part. The library has plenty of space for working alone or in groups. The IT facilities equally have everything you should need to carry out uni work. The labs in the new Health and Life Sciences building are modern and well-equipped. Student support is also quite extensive, with multiple avenues to turn to, for whatever your issue may be. Teaching is good, and online resources mean you can still catch up if you miss a lecture for any reason, or wish to revise/do some further reading around a topic. Catering facilities are clean and the food is alright, though quality does seem to vary and dip at times. Some of the on-campus accommodation could also be improved, as while some buildings are quite nice, some others are rather unpleasant. In the latter case, this is usually due to noise (worsened by thin walls), and minimal/unusual furnishing within the rooms. For example, my first year room had only one light, which was bizarrely positioned on the wall above the bed, with no lightshade, on the opposite side of the room from the desk.
campus has a lot of interesting quirks to it such as the museums dotted around and the library has surplus of books, student support staff are brill and really do want to help and do help however the prices of things around campus is criminal especially in the co op
The university has proven to be quite the den of opportunities, with options to find something for everyone. One only needs to look, whether it's societies or internships. The student support is quite engaged, even giving detailed talks on how to start preparing for our work lives. The lectures are mostly engaging, given the difficult nature of the material, and lecturers genuinely offer support to those who need it. On the other side of things, I can attest that there is always something to do between lectures. The aforementioned societies, union parties, or even laid-back events for introverts, there is much in the way of entertainment. Overall, I would rate this university very high on the list, as it is true to heart, and genuinely engaged with its student populus.
This uni has the 4th greenest campus in the UK, so if you prefer being around nature to cities then it's perfect. There is a really wide range of societies and other activities to partake in, and the student union is so good!! Most accomodation is on campus or, if not, a very short walk away and a trip into town is a ten minute bus ride or 25 minute walk. London is only a 25 minute train away as well. All my friends at uni are really enjoying ther courses and student support is great! I hope this has helped :)
Nice campus, a very social uni and overall I am enjoying my time here. I wish there were improved sports facilities; the gym is often packed, and the university could do with a 4g astro or a pool. The societies are great however, the library is nice (although usually packed as well) and park bar is class.
Online pre-recorded lectures were the worst because they were very isolating. The best bit was the study groups program within psychology because it was one of the only ways I was able to meet people in my first year as I was a commuting student and everything was online from home. My best friends at uni are some of the people I met from these study groups. The students union could be improved by holding concerts like the Cardiff university students union does. Another best experience is using the careers service at my uni, it is excellent, one lecturer is fabulous and the most helpful and kind person with great expertise.
18-24 years
The university has a good atmosphere and facilities, however some of the student accommodation buildings look very old and worn. Most of the professors are dedicated to education, however timetables and scheduling are less than ideal.
18-24 years
The library opens 24 hrs such a best place for me to study, but the computer in the library is quite slow when I wanna open it to use.
18-24 years
It has a great location and campus, as well as a highly reputable business school with good professors. The student experience, however, could be more varied and enjoyable if more unique activities were available to give a greater chance of meeting new like-minded friends. The catering system also needs some work.
The approachable lecturers make it a comfortable place to ask questions and really help with academic struggles. However, it could definitely be improved if workshops were more than once a week as I feel way more comfortable to discuss ideas and I find workshops way more beneficial academically as I can discuss and create ideas with my peers without that added pressure of too many people watching.
The best aspects of my University experience would probably be the module selection and the campus. You can make a fun and insightful degree even better by having a great selection of modules and the University of Reading provides that.
I had the opportunity to take a study year abroad to Germany through Reading and had one of the best life experiences I could have asked for. The teaching and tutors in my course are very hands on and try to give the best help. Tutors support the students academically and personally if needed. In archaeology specifically there is a very hands on approach to making sure the students are set up with work experience and career help. Would like a better range of options from the student Union in events and to meet people.
18-24 years
First gen student
Lovely green space on campus Easy layout, lots of areas for students to go Student accommodation good
The best thing about the UoR has to be the Campus. It is very well preserved and it really gives students a chance to refresh their minds in between lectures. Next I would highly praise the Library. It is a beautiful facility and it has extremely helped me with my studies so far. The staff are also extremely helpful and I have never had a bad experience. One thing which can be improved (despite it not being the University’s fault) is the lack of supermarkets near Campus. I always find myself travelling quite far in order to avoid the small overpriced shops around campus.
It's a great place to study as it is a very green campus, creating a relaxing environment to study. I enjoy the students' union and there is easy access to the town center using bus routes that go through the main campus, however, I would like to see a quick bus route to access the other campus (London Road) as I currently live in halls on the main campus and sometimes due to weather conditions, it is not ideal to walk to lectures.
18-24 years
The campus is so pretty and green! I went on walks around the Harris gardens almost every day during exam week last year to de-stress. The Cole museum offers great volunteering opportunities plus you get a lot of skills that you can put to use in your degree. The herbarium too! There are so many amazing volunteering opportunities around campus be it societies or organisations. It's a great way to meet new people while learning new skills and feeling fulfilled. That being said, student accommodation around Reading isn't great. Halls can be expensive and, depending on where you stay, incredibly noisy and cramped. Private accommodation isn't any better. I would recommend staying in halls during first year as they are very close to campus and a great way to meet new people. If you would like to give private accommodation a try, start house-hunting early and ask older students about their experiences and what sketchy companies to avoid.
18-24 years
It’s one of the best institutions for my degree. The sports aspect of the university could be improved
The union has a few bits to it which are all good. Maybe have a few different things for people like different cafes as I’ve heard some people can’t often find places to eat such as some vegans have said they don’t have a great range
I knew I wanted to come to Reading when I first came at summer to visit a friend of mine. I loved that I’d be having lectures in many different building and that I would explore the campus as I was attending different lectures and seminars, and that the contacts I’d get would be amazing, especially to get me started in a my business career. At the very start of this year, I was receiving tens of emails about opportunities out there for me to apply for and loads of ways to start building my CV. I knew I would choose to stay in Reading to study at the Henley campus, as I couldn’t imagine choosing any other university. It’s incredible having lectures overlooking the beautiful campus, and living in the St George's student accommodation. The only downside to living next to the University, is the travel to city where most of the shops etc are located at, that can be easily solved by either taking a bus or a bike, or walking downhill for 15 minutes. The accomodation is next to the university and I have to walk 7 minutes to get to my classes. I do not have to pay any traveling costs and It is in a very convenient location !
4.2
This is the best university by far! I love every day I spend on campus and have made some life long friends. The campus is so beautiful and it’s one of the best features of living in Reading. The student life is unmatched, everything and everyone is thought about, everyone can find their place, the student union has so much to offer, I’m happy to call this place my home!
Amazing course, the tutors go above and beyond to support us as students and even arrange fun times too. The department has so much to offer and you can learn so much from just being there! I’m so happy that I chose Reading to take this course.
The security and staff were great. The facilities were okay, just what you need but nothing more. It was a good place to live, I wouldn’t go back there though.