University of Reading

Overview

The University of Reading was founded in 1892 and received its Royal Charter in 1926. It is now ranked among the top 20% of world institutions*, and has more than 20,000 students from around 150 countries enrolled. 94% of its graduates are in work or further study within six months of graduating.

The main Whiteknights campus and London Road campus are situated close to Reading’s town centre and are just 30 minutes from London Paddington by train. Whiteknights campus is located on 130 hectares of parkland, earning its eighth consecutive Green Flag Award in 2018. The University’s Students’ Union is also rated in the top five students’ unions in the UK.

Reading has a global presence, with two overseas campuses – including the University of Reading Malaysia – and links with organisations in nearly 50 countries.

Services for International Students

The University of Reading is home to more than 5,000 international students. Support includes:

• Dedicated help from an international student adviser
• In-country briefings and advice before students leave home
• Meet-and-greet service at London Heathrow airport
• Visa support from dedicated immigration advisers on campus
• Clubs and societies to help international students feel more at home in the UK.

The University offers an International Foundation Programme for international students whose qualifications are not equivalent to A levels and so do not meet its traditional undergraduate entry requirements. It also offers pre-sessional English courses to help prepare international students for academic study in England.

Ranking

• 40th in the Times University Guide 2019
• 68th in the Guardian University Guide 2020
• 205th in the QS World University Rankings 2020

98% of Reading’s research submitted in the Research Excellence Framework 2014 was found to be ‘internationally recognised’, while 78% was ‘internationally excellent’. This placed the University 19th in the UK by research intensity and 27th by research power.

Accommodation

University accommodation at Reading is safe and secure, and rent prices are all-inclusive, meaning that utility bills and wifi are included. University-owned halls of residence provide more than 5,000 rooms and all accommodation is either on or within a 15-minute walk of the main Whiteknights campus or London Road campus.

Rooms come in a variety of styles and sizes, including studios, rooms in catered halls, self-catered en-suites and shared bathroom options, and there is a wide range of study, domestic and social facilities available.

Location

Located between London and Oxford on the River Thames, Reading is a historic town with a population of 163,000. The town lies in the south east of England and allows easy access from London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

Alumni

• Wilfred Owen (poet)
• James Cracknell (double Olympic gold medallist and politician)
• Jamie Cullum (jazz pianist and singer)
• Laura Tobin (broadcast meteorologist on Good Morning Britain)
• Coralie Bickford-Smith (acclaimed illustrator for Penguin Books)
• Linda Bennett OBE (founder of LK Bennett)
• Michael Bolingbroke (chief operating officer, Manchester United)

*The University of Reading is ranked 205th out of 1070 institutions ranked in the QS World University Rankings 2020 and was ranked among the top 20% in the QS World University Rankings 2016-19.

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