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The University of Reading is an integral part of the town and makes a valuable contribution to the local area. Positive engagement with the local community is important to us and we offer a wide range of events and activities open to all. We also work in close partnership with many community organisations.
100s of Public Events
Each term we offer an exciting variety of public events, including lectures, music concerts, exhibitions and arts events.
Student volunteering
Every year a large number of students contribute to the local community by volunteering in local schools, organisations and charities. Our Community Relations team work hard to encourage students to participate and get involved outside the University. We are also actively involved in local neighbourhood action groups and in many of the community and University events which help to bring us closer together.
Find out more about student volunteering.
Visit our museums and learn about farming and the English countryside, rare books, Greek mythology, plants and wildlife. You can see over 300,000 plant specimens, meet the largest spider that ever lived, or look into the eyes of Medusa.
Cinema
Each term the volunteer-run Reading Film Theatre shows a thrilling mixture of English and American mainstream and independent films, as well as one foreign language film each week. Sometimes the director pops in for a Q&A. Follow our film and events programme and book online.
SportsPark
Open all year round, SportsPark offers you a great range of activities and sports facilities, including a gym and fitness studio, squash and badminton courts, over 80 dance and aerobic classes per week and a cafe. SportsPark is open to both members and non-members.
Campus
The University is set within 123 hectares of beautiful award-winning parkland, including lakes, meadows and the renowned Harris Garden with flower meadows, a cherry tree orchard and a jungle garden.
Business
The University can provide you with technical equipment and facilities or professional advice from expert staff. Find out more about how we work with business.
Venue and accommodation
The University has a range of spaces available for hire, from flexible and modern conference rooms to magnificent settings for weddings and events. We also offer a range of affordable accommodation.
Research
The research we conduct at Reading impacts society on a global scale. We have developed new epilepsy medicines and are currently working on projects from climate change to world hunger.
Contact Us
Sarah Gardner
Community Relations Manager
CommUnity magazine
Find out what is happening at the University and discover positive ways in which the University is engaging with the local community.
This magazine carries listings of the variety of events and activities open to members of the public.
It is currently produced yearly and is distributed to over 10,000 householders in the local area and around the town centre.
Read the latest issue of CommUnity Magazine now (PDF) – February 2017