University of Reading

Accommodation

Students can choose from a range of safe, modern, and well-equipped catered and self-catered accommodation on campus.

In self-catered halls, student can choose between standard (shared bathroom), en-suite, and premium en-suite bedrooms. In every self-catered hall is a well-equipped shared kitchen/dining area.

Catered halls offer both standard (shared bathroom) and en-suite bedrooms. The flexible catering package allows students to eat at the shared catering facility in the halls or at other outlets on campus.

There are quieter-lifestyle flats, single-gender flats, and a number of adapted rooms for students with disabilities. Accommodation is also available for families and mature students.

For peace of mind, all halls have dedicated security patrols, CCTV, and friendly, experienced staff wardens on hand. There’s also a 24-hour Halls Hotline which deals quickly and efficiently with any issues that may arise.

Each hall is run by a committee of students – who have previously lived in halls – who help students settle in, and arrange social events throughout the year.

Rent prices are all-inclusive, so utility bills, Wi-Fi, communal cleaning, and basic contents insurance are included. The university offers flexibility with a limited number of 38-week accommodation contracts alongside standard 40-week and 51-week contracts. 

Living costs

Between £4,520 - £5,960 per annum.

University of Reading Students on Whatuni say:

“Fairly safe considering Reading is a large town, condition is good, location is great and cost is inexpensive.”

“Wessex is a great accommodation, and I would definitely recommend living here, the fact its shared bathroom often puts people off but I would say go for it!”

Facilities

The university continually invests in its academic facilities, with new technology and specialist equipment to keep its teaching and research at the forefront of discovery.

Some of the leading academic facilities on campus include chemistry and biomedical laboratories equipped with cutting-edge equipment, dedicated film studios with post-production suites, extensive art studios and workshops, and even an on-campus Museum of Zoology.

To support students’ independent learning, the university recently completed a major £40m refurbishment and now features extra solo and group study spaces and greater accessibility. It is open 24-7 during term time and houses over one million books, alongside fully-equipped computer rooms.

In addition to academic facilities, the University of Reading Sports Park is open to all students (membership is free). It is home to a state of the art fitness studio, a sports hall with badminton, volleyball, basketball, squash, and tennis courts, and several outdoor football, hockey, rugby, and lacrosse pitches.

Other non-academic facilities on campus include a medical practice and dental surgery, a hairdresser, retail outlets, and several cafes and bars in which to socialise.

The university has a number of initiatives to ensure students can relax and feel secure in halls and on campus, including regular security patrols and a dedicated emergency number.

University of Reading Students on Whatuni say:

“Generally really good, would prefer more food spaces, however the newly renovated library is amazing. Additionally if you want to find somewhere to study in peace or do group work and you haven't booked a room the university provides a free room finder, which lets you know what classrooms are empty in any building that is free for students to use to study in.”

“The new library is excellent.”

“Library is my favourite place it is larger than other unis.”