University of Reading

Overview

The University of Reading has developed a strong reputation as a research-intensive uni which specialises in areas like climate science, business, agriculture and food science.

It’s a campus-based university spread over three main sites – Whiteknights, London Road and Greenlands campuses. Whiteknights is the main campus, set among 130 hectares of parkland. London Road is a historic site whose Great Hall hosts concerts and ceremonies, while Greenlands is located near Henley-on-Thames and is home to one of Europe’s top business schools. The University of Reading was ranked in 34th for overall score in the Complete University Guide’s 2024 UK university league tables.

Reading is a town in Berkshire, sitting an hour and a half drive away from the south coast and a half-hour train journey west of London. The two main campuses, Whiteknights and London Road, are situated close to the town making its bustling centre easily accessible.

You’ll find plenty of places to eat and drink, as well as good places to shop, lots of parks, and music and arts venues. It also hosts one of the UK’s biggest music festivals every year.

There are more than 150 uni clubs and societies you can get involved in while at Reading, as well as a thriving Students’ Union.

You can choose from many different degree programmes at the University of Reading, most of which are studied on a full-time basis.

Typically, undergraduate degrees at Reading take three years to study, but a number of courses include placement years, study abroad options or an integrated master’s year. These courses usually take four years to complete.

Most degrees include optional modules, as well as core modules, meaning you can study the degree topics you’re most interested in.

It's also possible to combine two subjects within an undergraduate degree in what’s called a joint degree. For example, it’s fairly common to study a humanities course, like history, alongside a language, such as French or Spanish. You’ll spend half your time studying the first subject and the other half studying the second one. These degrees are designed so that you study the core modules from both subject areas but focus on one subject area in greater detail.

Each course at Reading has specific entry criteria, including achieving certain grades at A-level (or equivalent). You may also need to have a specific level of knowledge about your degree area before starting the course – this can be shown by studying certain subjects before uni and achieving appropriate grades.

Several qualifications are accepted by Reading, including A-levels, BTECs, the International Baccalaureate and Scottish/Advanced Highers. You’ll be able to find specific grade requirements online on the uni’s course pages, but we’ve given you an idea of the grades needed to study certain subjects here as well.

For instance, to study a course in business, accounting or finance, you’ll likely be asked for A-levels ranging from AAB–BBB (or equivalent qualification). To study an architecture, building & planning degree, you’ll probably need A-levels of ABB–BBB (or equivalent qualification) and for computing & IT courses, you’ll be asked for ABB–ABC (or equivalent qualification), which includes an A grade in maths.

It should be noted that entry requirements can change so you should always confirm these with the university before applying.

New students are guaranteed a place in uni halls if they make Reading their firm choice of uni and apply for accommodation before the deadline.

You’ll be able to choose between self-catered and catered uni accommodation, both of which have en suite and shared bathroom options. The residences range from modern flats to traditional corridor-style blocks and you’ll be able to decide between standard and premium room types.

If you decide to select a catered accommodation option, you’ll be able to choose from three eating plans, all of which provide a different amount of catering. You’ll find both catered and self-catered options located on and around Whiteknights campus.

If you’re planning to go to Reading as part of a couple or with family members, there are suitable accommodation options for this. These include houses and self-contained flats. Also, if you don’t want to stay in uni accommodation, there are plenty of private-rented options near the campus and around the town.

There’s a specialist careers team at the University of Reading that provides support and advice for students and graduates. A one-to-one appointment service is offered on a remote basis, meaning you can access the resource from anywhere. You can use these appointments as opportunities to discuss any career-related topics you want, from comparing different career paths to getting help with your interview technique.

There’s also an extensive programme of events that you can attend to help improve your job prospects. These include careers fairs that are a great chance to meet employers that are looking to recruit Reading students and graduates. They also act as an effective way to explore different industry sectors.

Webinars are also held frequently, providing guidance on important employability topics like interview skills, writing an effective CV and application, developing your work-related skills, and making professional connections.

You’ll also get access to many job opportunities and initiatives through the uni, to help you gain experience and develop your work-based skills. There are multiple online resources to help with this key part of building your job prospects.

The University of Reading has several scholarships and bursaries that it awards to students who meet certain criteria. Scholarships are often given out for academic or extra-curricular merit, while bursaries are awarded based on personal circumstances. Scholarships and bursary payments can go towards living costs and student fees and don’t need to be repaid.

Some scholarships and bursaries are only available to students who are studying certain courses.

For example, the Reading Bursary is awarded to UK and EU undergraduate students who are studying full- or part-time and who come from a household with an annual income of less than £27,000. This bursary is available to students on any course and is worth a cash award or tuition fee reduction of £1,100.

Additionally, the Sporting Excellence Scholarship is worth up to £2,000 for students who compete in a sport at national level, or who are on the national pathway. There’s also the Care Experienced and Estranged Bursary which provides up to £1,000 per academic year for undergraduates who have spent time in the care of their local authority, or who have had experience of the care system.

You can find out about all the scholarships and bursaries available, as well as their eligibility criteria, by visiting the uni’s online funding pages.