Important information for 2012 visas
If you are planning on attending the University in 2012/13, you should make sure that you apply for a visa early. The busy student season for visas coincides with the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Students are therefore strongly advised to read the information on the UK Border Agency website, apply for their Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from their chosen place of study and apply for their visa in good time. Students can apply for a visa up to 3 months in advance of their intended course start date in the UK.
You can find out if you need a visa at the UK Border Agency homepage homepage. If you do need a visa to enter the UK, you will need a CAS number from the University. This will be sent to you once you have an unconditional offer. Your CAS number will be issued by the relevant faculty office. Please contact them if you are eligible to receive one but have not received it. If you hold a conditional offer, you may have to wait until you fulfil the conditions. If you have any queries regarding the status of your visa, please contact your local Embassy or UK High Commission before you leave home. For more information about your student visa, check our visa page or the UKCISA Visa Page.
Be prepared and apply early!
Tullow Group Scholarship Scheme 2012-13
The University of Reading is participating in the 2012-13 Scholarship Scheme from Tullow Oil and the British Council. This scheme will allow students from nine countries (Bangladesh, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mauritania and Uganda) to develop their skills through postgraduate courses at the University of Reading and other UK institutions.
The Scholarship Scheme is part of Tullow Oil's Social Enterprise programme, which aims to invest in education and capacity building so that the oil and gas industry can bring lasting benefits to the people and countries it works in. The scholarship covers courses in:
- Geosciences
- Engineering
- Agriculture and Agro-based courses
- Environmental and Forestry Management
- Hospitality and Tourism Management
- Marine Sciences
- Logistics and Supply Chain
- Law
- Business (Economics, Finance and Management).
Applications are open until 6 April. The scholarship runs for one year (2012-13) and covers tuition fees, travel and living costs.
Find out about the eligible courses at the University of Reading and how to apply to the Tullow Group Scholarship Scheme.
Scholarships for 2011 Entry
There are two major scholarships available to students from outside of the EU wishing to begin their studies in October 2011. More information about these scholarships can be obtained by contacting studentships@reading.ac.uk.
The International Masters Bursary offers three potential students the opportunity to study at Reading provided they are holding an offer of a place on a one year taught PG programme by the closing date of 17th June 2011. The total tuition fee liability must be £12996 or less, for the course. You should not already have secured a studentship/scholarship from an external organisation.
More information about the International Masters Bursaries can be found here
For undergraduate applicants, there is the International Baccalaureate Scholarship which is for students from outside the EU who are likely to receive excellent results in the International Baccalaureate. The scholarship covers tuition fees for up to three years of the programme and an additional £5000 per year towards living costs. Closing date for applications is Friday 6 May 2011.
More information about the International Baccalaureate Scholarship can be found here
Henley Business School offers a wide range of scholarships to postgraduate students applying to its masters programmes for October 2011 entry. Please see further information on:
Scholarships for accounting programmes
Scholarships for international business programmes
Scholarships for finance programmes
Scholarships for marketing programmes
Scholarships for international management programmes
Scholarships for informatics programmes
Please also see Henley Business School's postgraduate programmes.
Updated 06/04/2011
New programme for 2011/12:
MSc Climate Change and Development
Climate change has far-reaching economic and social implications with mitigation and adaptation strategies being high on the agenda of most countries. The MSc is a one year, full-time Masters degree course which explores the interface between climate change and development. It aims to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills to formulate policy and plans within the environmental and energy arenas. Students will be based in the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development which hosts the internationally acclaimed Walker Institute for Climate System Research and the Centre for Food Security. Students will benefit from the interaction with world leaders in the subject area.
Course details can be found here
Updated 31/03/2011
Henley Business School students work with South African NGOs
A unique learning initiative between South African Non Government Organisations (NGOs) and the Henley Business School has provided innovative business solutions for a range of Cape-based organisations.
2011 will the see the sixth in a series of unique learning initiatives between South African NGOs and the Henley Business School. Designed and implemented by the Henley faculty and by Jon Foster-Pedley, now dean and director of Henley Business School in South Africa, the programme links MBA students and Cape Town-based NGOs in a practical, collaborative partnership.
Each year, a group of 40 Henley MBA students tackle a range of needs-based business challenges posed by NGOs that work in a variety of fields, from housing to HIV/AIDS to education to providing children's homes. Their business needs have ranged from strategic marketing and fundraising campaigns to organisational development. The SHINE child literacy programme is just one of the NGOs to benefit from this learning partnership.
Updated 09/03/2011
Henley Business School and University of Reading awarded prestigious AACSB International Accreditation
Henley Business School and the University of Reading have been awarded the prestigious AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) business accreditation. Founded in 1916, AACSB International is the longest-serving global accrediting body for business schools and universities that offer undergraduate, masters and doctoral degrees in business and accounting.
This is the first time, following the merger of Henley Management College with the University of Reading in 2008, that review panels made up of Deans from some of the world's leading business schools, have assessed all the aspects of all the business programmes, ranging from undergraduate degrees to executive education.
Updated 17/01/2011
International Students' Christmas Weekend
This pre-Christmas weekend is the longest established event at Cumberland Lodge with over 60 years of successful Christmas gathering behind it. Students from other countries that are currently in Britain are welcome to have a taste of a typical British Christmas with a personal appearance by Father Christmas almost guaranteed.
Our international students Christmas weekend is always in high demand. The Registration fee is £65 which covers all food and accommodation on a shared room basis. It also includes a visit to Windsor Castle.
Starts on 17/12/2010, ends on 19/12/2010
For more information or to register please contact: Mrs Janis Reeves, Conference Co-ordinator (janis@cumberlandlodge.ac.uk)
Updated 18/10/2010
Diageo Scholarships
Two scholarships are available to students resident in Sub-Saharan Africa who plan to study for a Masters degree within the Graduate Institute of International Development and Applied Economics (GIIDAE) at the University of Reading.
The scholarships have been generously supported by Diageo plc and the Diageo Foundation, and will provide two talented students with comprehensive scholarships to cover both tuition fees and living costs associated with studying for a Masters degree at Reading, worth £23,000 each.
The scholarships complement the work of the Daigeo 1 Million Challenge in providing one million Africans with clean drinking water each year until 2015 and the continued work of the Diageo Foundation, both in Africa and throughout the world.
GIIDAE sits within the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development - a world leader in teaching and research in the natural and social sciences relating to agriculture, the food chain, rural environments and international development.
The scholarships will be awarded on academic merit and will be assessed on applications received by GIIDAE before 14th June 2010. There is no separate application process and all eligible candidates will be considered.
Updated 24/05/2010
University maintains successful links with Japan
Clare Nukui, Programme Director of the International Foundation Programme (IFP) hosted an event in Japan for four "generations" of Ritsumeikan University Study Abroad students recently.
The IFP signed a memorandum of understanding with Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, Japan in 2006 for up to 10 of their Management students to join the IFP for two terms each year.
This is the fourth year the scheme has been in operation and it is proving very successful. The students integrate well and achieve academically.
The event gave the students a chance to be reunited and exchange experiences, and to offer advice to the four student who are coming to join us this October.
All the students agreed that their time in Reading had been very memorable, citing especially the friendships they had made both with British and other international students.
One Ritsumeikan student is now spending a year in China because of the Chinese friends he made here at Reading, and several IFP students are planning to visit Japan this summer.
The students said that by the end of their stay they had even got used to British food and missed their noisy neighbours in hall!
Updated 19/05/2010
Sue Morgan Trust helps another international student
The Sue Morgan Memorial Trust Fund 2010 Award has been presented to Mr Fidelis Sindani from Malawi who is studying for an MSc in Applied Development Studies.
This is an annual prize that is awarded to a deserving postgraduate student from Africa studying programmes in the Graduate Institute of International Development and Applied Economics.
Fidelis received a cheque for £1000 from the trust, which will be of great benefit to him in his future studies. He said: "I am greatly honoured to be this year's recipient of Sue Morgan Memorial Trust Award. Coming from an agricultural background, the modules I enrolled in have offered me a rare opportunity to learn about strategies that will directly benefit the vulnerable households that I serve in Malawi.
"On my part this award drives me to do well and keep the goal of Sue Morgan a reality. I very much appreciate the Trust's commitment to supporting agricultural development in Africa through this award."
Fidelis was nominated for the award by his Programme Director, Sarah Cardey. She said: "Fidelis is a very hard working, dedicated and conscientious student who has demonstrated continued academic development. He is an active participant in the classroom, engaging in lively and constructive discussions. He has also impressed other faculty members in his self-motivation in developing his dissertation proposal and initiating his research."
The objectives of the Trust are to provide financial support to individuals from African countries, particularly Malawi and Mozambique, to further their academic study, with a view to assisting agricultural development within their own country.
The Trust was created in the memory of Sue Morgan who died tragically in Mozambique on the 26th June 1991. Sue was a student in the Department of Agricultural and Food Economics in the session 1988/89 when she successfully completed the MSc in Tropical Agricultural Development. At the time of her death she was working as an Agricultural Economist for the Food Studies group in the Department of Development Studies at Oxford University, having completed two years in Malawi with Voluntary Service Overseas.
'I very much appreciate the Trust's commitment to supporting agricultural development in Africa through this award.'
New Masters Bursaries available
This year, three new Master's bursaries will be available to international postgraduate students of any subject wishing to study a Master's degree at the University of Reading. They provide support of £10,000 and are payable for one year only, in three instalments.
To apply for one of these bursaries you need to be nominated by your school/college (at which you are studying for your undergraduate studies) to the Student Financial Support Office. Letters should outline your academic and extra-curricular achievements.
The closing date for applications is 4 June 2010.
For further information please contact the Student Financial Support Team on +44 (0)118 378 7430 or email studentships@reading.ac.uk
Updated 12/04/2010
MBA Scholarship won by a Brazilian charity worker
A charity worker originally from Brazil has won the prestigious Times/Henley Business School scholarship, which covers the £40,000 cost of the school’s two-year, part-time Executive MBA. Click here to read the full story.
Updated 20/11/2009
Reading graduate is Alumnus of the Year
Reading alumnus, Professor Li Shirong was named Alumnus of the Year last night at the British Business Awards, an award ceremony organised in association with the British Chamber of Commerce in China. The Alumnus of the Year award was sponsored by the British Council and was created to recognise Chinese nationals who have studied in the UK and who can best demonstrate the positive influence that British education and culture has had on their chosen occupation among other criteria.
Professor Li Shirong is President of the Chartered Institute of Building and works for the Chongqing Foreign Trade and Economic Regulations Commission where she is responsible for the promotion of foreign trade and investment.
Her career started in academia where, after gaining a PhD from the University of Reading in 1998, she took the position as Professor of Construction Management at Chongqing University (a role she now holds part-time). Her academic work focuses on China's construction industry in transition, sustainable urbanisation, the role of government in construction, construction project management, the international construction market and higher education in construction.
To date she has published more than 170 papers and 27 books, both in China and overseas.
Updated 04/11/2009
Prime Minister of Barbados visits Reading
Barbadians living in Britain will have an opportunity to meet with the Prime Minister David Thompson when he travels to London tomorrow for a week long visit.
A major aspect of this trip will be a special event in Reading, Berkshire, where he will announce the launch of the Barbados Family and Friends (BFF) Club a unique initiative, developed by the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA). Targeting the Barbados Diaspora in key overseas markets, the aim of the scheme is to increase visitor arrivals to Barbados by rewarding members who encourage people to travel to Barbados, whether they are friends, family, neighbours or colleagues.
Members of the BFF Club can earn points for each visitor they refer, who travels to Barbados. Points will be awarded on air travel to Barbados as well as for accommodation in hotels and guesthouses. Members of the scheme will receive a quarterly BFF e-newsletter, which will provide relevant product information, tips, features and upcoming events in Barbados.
There is also a vibrant social media strategy featuring Facebook and Twitter pages where they can share information, provide recommendations and network generally.
As part of the scheme, members will also have the opportunity to participate in educational seminars in their respective areas. These will be organised by the BTA and will be designed to provide members with more detailed information on the product, and tips on targeting business.
The town of Reading has a large population of Barbadians.
Thompson said, "Reading has always offered a focal point for Barbadians who came to live in the UK; there is a very strong community here, like a little part of Barbados without the sun, sea and sand and I am anticipating a very successful visit."
Updated 24/09/2009
A top 20 research university
The University of Reading is ranked in the top 20 UK higher education institutions in securing research council grants, according to a survey published on 3 September.
The table, published in Times Higher Education is based on the number of awards received from every research council, except the Science and Technology Facilities Council in 2008-9.
Read the full story here...
Updated 04/09/09
Chevening Scholarships awarded to two Vietnamese students
Two students from Vietnam have been awarded prestigious Chevening Scholarships by the University of Reading and the British Council Vietnam to enable them to undertake postgraduate degrees at the University in the 2009/10 academic year. Both students will be joining the Henley Business School, the full-service Business faculty at the University of Reading. One student plans to complete an MSc in International Business and Finance in the School of Economics and the other will be studying an MSc in Corporate Finance at the ICMA Centre.
The Chevening Scholarships awarded by the University will cover 50% of the course fees and have been provided by the School of Economics and the ICMA Centre.
Richard Homer, Political Officer at the British Embassy in Hanoi, stated:
"This really is excellent news and I wanted to pass on my thanks on behalf of the British Embassy in Hanoi and both Mr Tuan and Mr Hung. We are all extremely grateful for your support for the Chevening programme in Vietnam."
Updated 21/07/09
IB Scholarship Winners for 2009/0
The winners of the 2009 International Baccalaureate Scholarships have been selected and East Africa has come out top. Three students were selected to win full scholarships that cover fees for the three years of their undegraduate studies and also provide some support towards the cost of living. All three of this year's winners were from East Africa with two students from Kenya and the third from Uganda. They will take up their studies in October 2009 and will be studying Animal Science (BSc), Applied Statistics (BSc) and Law (LLB).
Updated 13/07/09
Prepare for Success
Prepare for Success is an interactive pre-arrival learning tool for international students who are getting ready to come to the UK to study. It contains twenty two different learning resources on themes connected with academic life in the UK. International students can find out what British academic life is like and what kind of academic skills they will need for effective study. As well as preparing students for what to expect during their studies, the activities also provides scope for language improvement*.
* Prepare for Success is intended primarily for international students whose first language is not English. It is aimed at students with an IELTS level between 5.0 and 7.5 or equivalent.
Updated 04/06/09
Felix Scholars' Reception
The Museum of English Rural Life at the University of Reading was the venue on 28th May for the 2009 Felix Scholars' Reception. The reception was hosted by the Felix Scholarship Foundation with guests including Foundation trustee, Alan Binnington; the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, Professor Gordon Marshall; staff and recipients of the scholarships. Professor Chahaun of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in New Delhi was also in attendance, having interviewed many of the recipients.
The Felix Scholarships offers students of Indian citizenship funding to support their studies at selected institutions in the UK. A limited number of 
scholarships are also made available each year to international students resident in countries other than India. Applicants must be of the highest academic calibre, holding a First Class honours degree and an offer to study at the University of Reading, the School of Oriental and African Studies or the University of Oxford.
Updated 02/06/09
Engineering grant to strengthen research links between Reading and China
A University of Reading academic has been awarded a grant from the Royal Academy of Engineering to fund a series of research exchange visits to Chongqing University in China. This will enhance the links between the University of Reading and Chongqing University, and help research in the field of built environment, which tackles global climate change issues.
Updated 13/05/09
2009 Commonwealth Scholarships to Developed Countries
Commonwealth Scholarships for students from the developed Commonwealth to study in the United Kingdom in 2009 will now be available, following a recent decision by the UK's Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). These awards will be co-funded by selected UK universities including the University of Reading .
These scholarships apply to candidates from Australia, Brunei, Canada, Cyprus, Malta, New Zealand, Singapore and the Bahamas.
Details of the scholarship and how to apply are on the Association of Commonwealth Universities website.
Updated 23/03/09
Vice Chancellor visits Kuala Lumpur
Over 100 guests attended a high tea at the High Commissioner's Residence in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Sunday 15th March. The event was hosted by Reading alumnus Mandy Johnson, Director of British Council Malaysia, Professor Gordon Marshall, Vice-Chancellor of the University and Head of the School of Law, Patricia Leopold.
Alumni from the University of Reading and Henley Management College, now part of the Henley Business School at the University of Reading, met the latest graduates from the University of Reading and Taylor's College, Malaysia Law programme. Since its set-up in 2002, the partnership with Taylor's College has gone from strength to strength.
Updated 18/03/09
Saudi Government Scholarships
All University of Reading degree programmes are now eligible for scholarships from the Saudi Arabian government. The Ministry of Higher Education selected the University of Reading as one of only 26 universities in the UK whose entire range of degree courses are eligible. This is as a direct result of our recent success in the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE).
Updated 25/02/09
ICMA Centre High Achievers
No less than seven ICMA Centre BSc students have been awarded Achievement Prizes this year. The students were presented with their awards by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Gordon Marshall, at a special ceremony in the Great Hall on 10th December 2008.
These prizes of £1000 each are awarded each year to the top 150 students following Part 1 examinations, and the top 150 Part 2 students.
The Part 1 achievers are Shang Li, Pearly Su Ping Tan, Jordan Field, Feyisola Osinuga and Jacob Smith. The Part 2 achievers are Daniel Osborn and Philip Board. 
Feyisola, aged 18 from Nigeria commented on the degree and her prize: "The degree is unique not only in its content and delivery but also in its challenges. It fully equips you with the theoretical knowledge and the practical skills required in Finance while requiring you to keep abreast of current financial affairs. The ICMA Centre is closely linked with many different financial associations as well as institutions which means that you are actively involved in the Finance industry while still studying.
Winning the Achievement prize is an honour; the Achievement Prize is awarded to those in the top 5% of their year and I am truly pleased to be in this category."
Also, honoured at the Ceremony were three of the ICMA Centre's first year BSc students who have been awarded a £2000 Entrance Scholarship each: Alexander Brown, Christina Teasdale and Myriam Tiec. These scholarships are awarded every year to BSc applicants who achieve 360 UCAS points (three A grades) from three A levels.
Updated 11/12/08
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