University of Reading

PO Box 217, Reading

  • #=169 QS Global World Ranking
  • PublicStatus
  • Very HighResearch Output
  • 15,790Total Students
  • 1,109Faculty
  • 4,653Int'l Students

About

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The University of Reading is a Top 30 UK University (ranked 27th out of 84 UK universities featured in the QS World University Rankings, 2021) based in the South East of England, 25 minutes from central London by train. Reading is also in the UK top 10 for Land & Property Management; Building; Agriculture & Forestry; Aural & Oral Sciences, and Earth & Marine Sciences (The Complete University Guide, 2020). 

Reading prides itself for its pioneering history, bright prospects, green environment, central location, vibrant research hub and international community.

Founded in 1892 as a University of Oxford extension college, Reading gained its Royal Charter in 1926. More than 150,000 students from 180 different countries have studied at Reading, with their first international student from Kenya enrolling in 1908. 

Reading is a campus university offering on-site student accommodation, with their beautiful parkland campus, Whiteknights, winning the Green Flag Award for the top university green space in the UK for the 9th consecutive year in 2019. 

There are a wide range of programs available at the University of Reading from the pure and applied sciences to languages, humanities, social sciences, business and the arts. New research continually feeds into teaching, with academic staff working at the forefront of their fields of expertise.


The University of Reading has three UK campuses

Whiteknights campus

London Road campus

Greenlands campus


There are a wide variety of facilities available:

University SportsPark

Rehearsal and performance spaces

Reading University Students’ Union (RUSU) is home to several venues including 3sixty (which is Reading’s largest venue) and Mojo’s Bar

Library - £40 million refurbishment project completed in 2019

Chaplaincy Centre - available for all different faiths

Health and wellbeing services


The University offers several support systems to its students:

International Student Advice, academic support, disability support and employability support

The University Medical and Dental Practice

Counselling and Wellbeing Services

Students' Union Advice Teams

Disability Support


The University has 22,480 students in total from around 180 countries, including over 5,000 international/EU students. The total student population is made up of 14,330 undergraduate students, 6,285 master’s students and 1,870 postgraduate research students. 

The Reading University Students' Union (RUSU) is home to a wide range of sports clubs, societies, and volunteering projects. There are more than 100 different societies at RUSU run for students, by students.

These include societies for: Academic & Career interests, Arts, Campaigns & Causes, Culture & Faith, Hobbies & Interests, and Politics. Multiple societies also offer opportunities in drama, music, and dance, as well as media, film, comedy, and fine art.

Reading offers a wide range of catered and self-catered accommodation for both undergraduate and postgraduate students, providing a home away from home in a supported community. Students can either choose a flexible catering package that includes access to catering outlets across campus or cook for themselves using shared kitchen facilities. There are also en-suite and shared bathroom options available.

Accommodation is guaranteed for all international students for one year, provided they have applied for halls by the 1st August before their intended year of entry. Student accommodation is all either on campus, or within a 10-minute walk from the main campus buildings.


Each degree programme at the University of Reading has specific entry requirements and most courses will list a typical offer with their course information.

If you are an international student looking to study on one of their undergraduate degree programmes, you may need to take a foundation course if you do not have the required academic qualifications that are equivalent to British A Levels. If you need to improve your English language level, you may also need to take a Pre-sessional English course.

Postgraduate students should apply directly to the University using the online application service. All students must write a personal statement setting out why they wish to apply to their chosen degree, stating how their prior academic and professional background make them a good fit for the programme. Two academic references must also be supplied at the time of application. Postgraduate applications are free to submit except for applications to the ICMA Centre, where a small application fee is required prior to submission. 

There are several scholarships and discounts available for International Foundation Programme (IFP) students, as well as an extensive fund of general and subject-specific master's scholarships. There is also an alumni discount, if you completed your undergraduate degree at the University of Reading. The University also collaborates with external scholarship bodies such as the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, Chevening and Felix to offer additional awards for students from eligible countries. Full scholarship information is available on the University’s website. 

Overall, 94 percent of graduates are in work or further study six months after graduating (DLHE, 2018).

The range of employability support on offer from the Careers Centre includes:

•Professional careers consultants

•Dedicated placements

•Student experience and development schemes to help you boost your employability

•Online resources, including free videos and assessment tools

•A full events calendar

•An online job board exclusively for University of Reading students – My Jobs Online


About

The University of Reading is a Top 30 UK University (ranked 27th out of 84 UK universities featured in the QS World University Rankings, 2021) based in the South East of England, 25 minutes from central London by train. Reading is also in the UK top 10 for Land & Property Management; Building; Agriculture & Forestry; Aural & Oral Sciences, and Earth & Marine Sciences (The Complete University Guide, 2020). 

Reading prides itself for its pioneering history, bright prospects, green environment, central location, vibrant research hub and international community.

Founded in 1892 as a University of Oxford extension college, Reading gained its Royal Charter in 1926. More than 150,000 students from 180 different countries have studied at Reading, with their first international student from Kenya enrolling in 1908. 

Reading is a campus university offering on-site student accommodation, with their beautiful parkland campus, Whiteknights, winning the Green Flag Award for the top university green space in the UK for the 9th consecutive year in 2019. 

There are a wide range of programs available at the University of Reading from the pure and applied sciences to languages, humanities, social sciences, business and the arts. New research continually feeds into teaching, with academic staff working at the forefront of their fields of expertise.


The University of Reading has three UK campuses

Whiteknights campus

London Road campus

Greenlands campus


There are a wide variety of facilities available:

University SportsPark

Rehearsal and performance spaces

Reading University Students’ Union (RUSU) is home to several venues including 3sixty (which is Reading’s largest venue) and Mojo’s Bar

Library - £40 million refurbishment project completed in 2019

Chaplaincy Centre - available for all different faiths

Health and wellbeing services


The University offers several support systems to its students:

International Student Advice, academic support, disability support and employability support

The University Medical and Dental Practice

Counselling and Wellbeing Services

Students' Union Advice Teams

Disability Support


The University has 22,480 students in total from around 180 countries, including over 5,000 international/EU students. The total student population is made up of 14,330 undergraduate students, 6,285 master’s students and 1,870 postgraduate research students. 

The Reading University Students' Union (RUSU) is home to a wide range of sports clubs, societies, and volunteering projects. There are more than 100 different societies at RUSU run for students, by students.

These include societies for: Academic & Career interests, Arts, Campaigns & Causes, Culture & Faith, Hobbies & Interests, and Politics. Multiple societies also offer opportunities in drama, music, and dance, as well as media, film, comedy, and fine art.

Reading offers a wide range of catered and self-catered accommodation for both undergraduate and postgraduate students, providing a home away from home in a supported community. Students can either choose a flexible catering package that includes access to catering outlets across campus or cook for themselves using shared kitchen facilities. There are also en-suite and shared bathroom options available.

Accommodation is guaranteed for all international students for one year, provided they have applied for halls by the 1st August before their intended year of entry. Student accommodation is all either on campus, or within a 10-minute walk from the main campus buildings.


Each degree programme at the University of Reading has specific entry requirements and most courses will list a typical offer with their course information.

If you are an international student looking to study on one of their undergraduate degree programmes, you may need to take a foundation course if you do not have the required academic qualifications that are equivalent to British A Levels. If you need to improve your English language level, you may also need to take a Pre-sessional English course.

Postgraduate students should apply directly to the University using the online application service. All students must write a personal statement setting out why they wish to apply to their chosen degree, stating how their prior academic and professional background make them a good fit for the programme. Two academic references must also be supplied at the time of application. Postgraduate applications are free to submit except for applications to the ICMA Centre, where a small application fee is required prior to submission. 

There are several scholarships and discounts available for International Foundation Programme (IFP) students, as well as an extensive fund of general and subject-specific master's scholarships. There is also an alumni discount, if you completed your undergraduate degree at the University of Reading. The University also collaborates with external scholarship bodies such as the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, Chevening and Felix to offer additional awards for students from eligible countries. Full scholarship information is available on the University’s website. 

Overall, 94 percent of graduates are in work or further study six months after graduating (DLHE, 2018).

The range of employability support on offer from the Careers Centre includes:

•Professional careers consultants

•Dedicated placements

•Student experience and development schemes to help you boost your employability

•Online resources, including free videos and assessment tools

•A full events calendar

•An online job board exclusively for University of Reading students – My Jobs Online


Available programs

University highlights

QS World University Ranking

  • 2012
    #215
  • 2014
    #213
  • 2015
    #=202
  • 2016
    #=156
  • 2017
    #175
  • 2018
    #=188
  • 2019
    #=195
  • 2020
    #205
  • 2021
    #205
  • 2022
    #202
  • 2023
    #229
  • 2024
    #=169

Student & Staff

Total students
15,790

25%
75%

International students
4,653

35%
65%

Total faculty staff
1,109

371
738

Total students
15,790

25%
75%

International students
4,653

35%
65%

Total faculty staff
1,109

738
371
QS Stars is a rating system that helps you select the right university based on your interests. It provides a detailed look at an institution, identifying which universities rate highest in the specific topics that matter to you, like facilities, graduate employability, social responsibility, inclusiveness, and more.

Scholarships

Yes
The Scholarships above offer some form of financial aid to prospective students. Please always check the specific requirements and restrictions on scholarship availability.

Campus locations

Whiteknights Campus,

PO Box 217 , Reading , Berkshire , United Kingdom , RG6 6AH

Greenlands Campus,

Greenlands , Reading , Oxfordshire , United Kingdom , RG9 3AU

London Road Campus,

27 London Road , Reading , United Kingdom , RG1 5AG

London Road Campus,

Reading , Berkshire , United Kingdom , RG1 5AQ

University of Reading Malaysia,

Kota Ilmu , Educity, 79200 Nusajaya, , Johor , Malaysia ,

+ 2 More Locations
University of Reading advanced Public Very High 14 yes 4653 L EN