University of Reading

Covid-19 update

The University of Reading will be providing teaching through a combination of regular face-to-face on campus sessions and online learning in 2021/22, as part of its ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the safety of staff and students a critical priority, the university has well-established protocols to manage the situation, including the capability to provide Covid testing facilities. Full details about the 2021-22 academic year have been communicated to new and returning students and will reflect government guidelines and health service advice. There are dedicated Covid-19 FAQ pages and resources on the university website. Alongside regular e-communications, this allows all students to keep up to date with the latest developments.

Quarantine Support Package 2021/22

The university recently launched a Quarantine Support Package to offer support to international students living outside the UK and Republic of Ireland who are returning to Reading for the 2021/22 academic year. It follows the UK Government's current travel advice for quarantine and mandatory COVID-19 testing. Eligible students can avail of two sources of financial aid for quarantine hotel costs and COVID-19 tests. Full details can be found online.

Climate Education Summit

Climate change is the defining crisis of this generation and the impending reality for many to come. The University of Reading is a world leader in climate studies and is committed to working to create change.

The university had hosted an online Climate Education Summit in partnership with the Office for Climate Education, the Met Office and the Royal Meteorological Society and bring together young people, scientists, policymakers, and more, in a drive to develop a nationwide plan of action for better climate education in schools.

At Reading, the university is dedicated to staying at the forefront of teaching and learning developments. It strives to inspire innovative and creative approaches to teaching and learning by working in partnership with staff and with the student community. Significant investment has been made in the development and strengthening of teaching and the student experience with a view to providing an ideal learning environment.

A number of subjects at Reading are ranked top 10 in the UK (The Complete University Guide 2022), including Land and Property Management (2), Agriculture and Forestry (2), Speech and Language Therapy (3), Town & Country Planning and Landscape Design (3), Building (5), Art and Design (6) and Italian (10).

The university also enjoys an excellent reputation on research. Results of the last REF (2014) confirmed it's place as a world-leading research-intensive university. The University of Reading was placed 19th in the UK by research intensity and 27th out of 154 institutions in the UK by research. Research at the university works to find solutions to some of the major problems facing society today, based around four key areas: environment agriculture, food and health prosperity and resilience and heritage and creativity. Some of the university's research highlights include a project by Professor Ed Hawkins to use climate graphics to show how average temperatures have risen across the globe from the pre-industrial era to today. Almost 1 million stripes graphics had been downloaded from over 180 countries.

The university have a number of key themes that guide research:

• The University of Reading places a significant emphasis on environmental research. Under the banner of ‘The Environment' the university brings together hundreds of researchers, PhD students and academics to discuss and tackle the challenges faced by environmental change.
• Food is another area of focus for the university, with the critical role that it plays in terms of health, culture and society. Discussions and investigations focus on how it is produced and the wider implications this may have.
• Public debate on the critical issues of migration, health and (dis)ability is strongly encouraged. This also includes the function of the creative and heritage industries in the promotion of diversity.

The University of Reading's Prosperity and Resilience research theme looks at whether the institution's practices contribute to the prosperity of society and build resilience economically, socially, environmentally and politically.

Undergraduate entry requirements

Each undergraduate programme at the university has specific entry requirements and these are listed on the university website. Some courses require a certain amount of knowledge in a particular subject before students can commence study. The university is happy to make conditional admission offers, which means students can apply during their final year of school and entry is dependent on exam outcomes.

The University of Reading welcomes applications from students offering a range of qualifications, including the British A-level, IB (International Baccalaureate), various foundation programmes and a number of school leaving certificates offered by other countries.

International students looking to undertake a degree programme and needing some preliminary studies can register for the University of Reading International Foundation Programme (IFP) or a Pre-sessional English course. With over 30 years of experience as a university-owned programme the IFP gives students the highest quality preparation for undergraduate studies.

Postgraduate entry requirements

For entry to postgraduate programmes, prospective master's students are normally required to have a good undergraduate (bachelor's) degree, or equivalent. Doctoral programme (PhD) applications usually require a master's degree and students will need to submit a research proposal, unless applying for a specific research project.

English language requirements

Evidence of English language proficiency may be necessary for students who do not speak English as a first language. The IELTS test is the most commonly accepted test at the university, however a number of others are also recognised. Requirements for admission, based on IELTS scores, are usually between 6.5 to 7.0, with students also being able to take a pre-sessional English course (PSE) at the university's International Study and Language Institute.

Pre-arrival and welcome

Reading is well connected to both London Heathrow and London Gatwick airports. Direct coach services are available between Heathrow Airport and Reading. In addition, university-organised social events and tours of Reading help students settle into life in the UK. Students are also provided with maps of Reading, a guide to opening a bank account and details of Students' Union events.

The university offers a series of pre-departure webinars to guide students step-by-step on information before arriving in the UK. There are also opportunities for 1-2-1 meetings with Regional Managers at the international office to ask any questions about studying at the university.

Visa support

Reading has dedicated immigration advisers on campus to provide specialist advice on visas, including working during or after studies.

Other support

Students receive dedicated support from a student adviser and the Reading University Students' Union's international students' officer. The Students' Union Advice Services can help with personal, social, academic, financial and welfare matters. Pre-arrival assistance is available in the form of in-country briefings and advice.

Graduate outcomes

95 per cent of the university's graduates go on to work or further study (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18).

Professional experience

University of Reading students gain invaluable work experience through secure placements and internships while studying. Placements range from a couple of weeks to a full year.

Careers, coaching, support and networking

The Careers Service offers free support during the course of a student's degree and for up to 18 months after graduation. An annual survey done in 2020 showed that 98 per cent of users would recommend the service.

Hundreds of careers and networking events are organised throughout the year, many of which are attended by employers from the university's extensive network, including the annual Careers and Placements fair.

The university also offers the THRIVE Career Mentoring scheme offered in the penultimate year and the MY Jobs Online service. The university's alumni form a global community of more than 280,000 people and contribute by mentoring students and providing work placements long after they graduate.

The university has a wide range of scholarships on offer to international students at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. The opportunities for funding may depend on a student's nationality and the course they wish to study. The following is a selection of scholarships and bursaries on offer:

• Chevening Scholarships
• Subject-specific and General Masters Scholarships
• British Council- University of Reading GREAT Scholarships
• Felix Scholarships
• University International Research Studentships
• Henley Business School Scholarships
• Rotary Graduate Scholarship – Environmental Programme
• Vice-Chancellor Global Scholarship Award (for undergraduate)
• Subject-specific undergraduate scholarships: IFP Scholarships and Discounts

The University of Reading and Chevening, the UK government's global scholarship programme, have been working together over the past 20 years, offering high achieving students funding for master's degrees. To date, the University of Reading has welcomed nearly 500 Chevening scholars to its campuses from all over the globe.

The International Research Studentships are PhD scholarships available for highly qualified applicants for research degrees within science, life sciences, social science and arts and humanities.

The university also offers over 50 scholarships worth GBP 4,000 each, applied as a tuition fee reduction, for undergraduate international students via the Vice-Chancellor Global Scholarship Award. To qualify students must first have been accepted to study at the university and no further application is required. The scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic achievement.

The triple-accredited, internationally-recognized Henley Business School offers over 100 scholarships each year. Some scholarships will cover the full cost of tuition. Many awards will make a partial contribution to the cost of study.