International community at Reading

The combination of international students and staff bring a wealth of experiences and culture to the campus – we are proud of our diversity.

International Students

International students are vital to the energy and activities of the campus. The Students' Union has over 100 different societies already in existence, including Afro-Caribbean, Asian, Chinese Society, Chinese Students and Scholars' Association, Hellenic, French, German, Hindu, Japanese, Jewish, Latin American & Spanish, Lithuanian, Malaysian, Bruneian & Singaporean, Muslim, Polish, Sikh and of course, the largest society in the Students' Union, International Students at Reading University. Large numbers of our international students are active in Students' Union societies and if there isn't one listed that interests you, then the Students' Union will help you to start a new one!

In 2009/10 there are over 2100 full and part-time students from outside the European Union from 120 different countries. Postgraduate taught programmes are our most popular programmes with international students.
In 2009/10 the top five countries of origin for international students are China, Nigeria, India, Thailand and the USA.

International Staff

We have a large number of international members of staff, all of whom contribute to the international community here on campus – there are around 750 staff from more than 80 countries outside of the UK.

Reading, an international town

Reading is a multicultural town. With a population of 130,000 and a large number of thriving ethnic communities, it provides a wealth of support and additional community spirit for international students studying at the University. The largest ethnic groups are Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Chinese, but there are alsoBarbadian, Nigerian, Turkish, Polish and Nepalese communities.