Once you have decided to study at the University of Reading and have been accepted onto your course, there are a number of steps you need to take before you can begin your studies at the University of Reading.
The checklist below provides an overview of some of the important things you need to do both before and after you arrive in the UK:
Before you arrive
You will need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) before you apply for a Student visa.
Your CAS is an electronic document that the University creates and stores on the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) online database. Once you have received- and accepted- an unconditional offer to study at the University of Reading and paid any deposits required, the Admissions team will contact you via email to request a copy of the personal details page of your passport. They will then provide you with a CAS for use in your UK student visa application. The CAS issued by the University of Reading can only be used to support one Student visa application to study at the location and the course stated.
If applying from overseas, you must apply for your Student visa within 6 months of receiving your CAS. You should prepare and be ready to apply for your Student visa as soon as possible after your CAS is issued (and once you meet all the eligibility requirements) to allow sufficient time for your visa application to be processed to enable you to enrol on your course on time. The latest date that you can be permitted to enrol on your course can be found on your CAS.
Student visa applications can be made from outside the UK by all eligible applicants. You may be able to apply for your new Student visa from within the UK if you meet the relevant requirements which permit you to do so. If you are in the UK and want advice on whether you can make your Student visa application from within the UK, please contact the University’s International Student Advisory Team.
You must ensure all the documents you may be required to submit with your Student visa application meet UKVI’s specific requirements. You will find all the information you need on the University’s VISA and immigration webpages. The GOV.UK website also has a helpful checklist for applying for a Student visa, and what to do when you arrive in the UK.
Please read both the University’s and the GOV.UK information pages carefully and if you have any questions either before or after you have made your Student visa application, please contact the University’s International Student Advisory Team.
The processing time for a standard Student visa application made outside the UK is 15 working days (3 weeks) though it can take longer during busier periods or if UKVI need to undertake additional checks.
Upon receiving a successful decision on your UK student visa application, you will be able to create a UKVI account and link an eVisa, which will serve as a digital record of your immigration status while in the UK. You must create a UKVI account and link your eVisa before travelling to the UK.
Once your student visa has been granted and you have gained access to your eVisa, it is important that you check that the information and dates contained are correct, and familiarise yourself with the start date. You must only travel on or after the start date of your Student visa- it is very important that you do not travel to the UK before your Student visa becomes valid. If you do, you will not be permitted to enrol on your course.
If you notice an error on your e-Visa, please contact the University’s International Student Advisory Team.
When you apply for a Student visa online, you will need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of the application process, unless exempt in very limited circumstances.
The amount you will be required to pay will depend on the length of the visa you are applying for. You can view the GOV.UK online guidance to see how much you need to pay.
You can start using the National Health Service (NHS) when you have paid the IHS (or are exempt from paying it) and your visa is granted. Most healthcare is covered by the IHS, however, you will still need to pay for certain types of services (e.g. prescriptions, dental treatment and eye tests).
You can find out more about the IHS and how to pay online on the GOV.UK website.
Find out more about health information for international students.
Before you can enrol on your course, you will need to complete all stages of your enrolment. To complete the online stage of your enrolment, you will need to pay your first tuition fee payment (which is usually 50% of your first year’s course fees) if you have not already done so. Alternatively, you must let the University know how you intend to pay.
We advise that tuition fee payment is made before you travel to the UK to help avoid delays to your enrolment. If you have problems or concerns about paying your fees before travelling, please contact Student Credit Control for advice.
International payments can take several days to be received by the University, so you should ensure you allow sufficient time for payments to be received and processed by the University. You will not be able to enrol until the fee payment has been received by the University and matched to your student record.
If your tuition fee is being paid by a sponsor you will need to provide the Admissions Office with a letter confirming sponsorship or a financial guarantee letter. This can then be updated to your record and avoid delays at enrolment.
Your eVisa will serve as a digital record of your immigration status, and is used to confirm your identity, along with your rights to study, rent and work during your time in the UK. Once you have created a UKVI account and linked an eVisa, your eVisa can be shared by generating a digital ‘share code’ to prove your immigration status to organisations such as employers, landlords or universities.
You can provide your share code to us online in advance of attending in-person enrolment as soon as you have access to your eVisa. When you attend in-person enrolment (ID check) on campus, you will need to bring with you your University of Reading ID number, passport, share code and evidence of the date you entered the UK, such as a flight booking or boarding pass.
Detailed information on how to setup your UKVI account, link your eVisa and add/ change documents can be found on our website. Please contact the International Student Advisory Team for advice if any of the details in your eVisa are incorrect, or you are unsure about how to access your e-Visa or generate a share code.
You will need to secure your accommodation (university and private accommodation) before you arrive in the UK.
Visit our web pages for further information on how to apply for University Accommodation. For information on finding private accommodation in the UK, please contact the Reading Students’ Union Housing Team.
After you have secured University or private accommodation, update your address in the University’s Student Records System (the RISIS web portal). This may take up to 24 hours for your new contact information to be updated in RISIS.
If you are living in private accommodation, you will have to pay council tax from the day you arrive in the UK until the day your course starts. Whilst you are a full-time student at Reading, you will be exempt from paying council tax. To find out more look on Reading Borough Council’s website or Wokingham’s website. You can prove your student status with your ‘certificate of enrolment’ which can be found on your RISIS portal. The exemption will continue until the day of your last exam or last submission of work, regardless of your graduation date. After you have completed the last piece of work for your course, you will need to begin paying council tax again. This can be different and more complex if you are a PhD student.
Not all students are allowed by UKVI to bring dependants with them to the UK. To check whether you are eligible to bring dependants, visit our web page on Dependant visas.
We strongly advise that you find suitable accommodation before you travel to the UK. The University has limited accommodation for families on campus. You can check the availability of family accommodation by contacting the accommodation office.
If you do not have a place to stay before travel, we advise you to travel ahead to find and secure suitable accommodation. Do this before your family joins you if needed.
For more information visit our webpage on International Students with Dependents.
It is important to complete as many online enrolment tasks as possible before you travel.
You will be asked to declare whether or not you have a criminal conviction prior to online enrolment. To check if this applies to you on a PC/laptop you can hover your mouse over the greyed out 'Online Enrolment' box and a pop-up message will appear telling you what you need to do. On a mobile device, you can see the same message if you click on the grey 'Online Enrolment' box.
It is best to check with your department to see whether there are any additional tasks you need to complete which are specific to your school.
At Reading, we are committed to creating a safe, fun and respectful environment where we can all thrive in a community where we all look out for one another.
In accordance with this commitment it is mandatory for all new students to undertake the tackling harassment and consent training courses.
The courses will empower you with the skills and knowledge to prevent, identify, and respond to harassment, hate and sexual misconduct. By taking the course you are contributing to a more respectful environment for everyone within the university community.
The Tackling Harassment and Consent training courses are mandatory and we expect all new students to complete this course before arriving on campus at the start of the academic year.
Register on the Epigeum website: using the following access code: 594a01c4 (use in the token code field) and select 'My Courses'.
While the Tackling Harassment and Consent training courses above are mandatory to complete, you may also wish to complete the following optional training.
Study UK: Prepare to Study and Live in the UK - prepare yourself for university study in the UK by familiarising yourself with UK culture and higher education on this Future Learn course, developed by the British Council. This course will give you all the help you need to study and thrive in the UK. You will become familiar with studying in English and how higher education courses are structured, gaining a clear understanding of what to expect. You will also develop self-study skills, whilst getting a taste of life in the UK.
Ensure your vaccinations are up-to-date before leaving for university, or as soon as you can after starting the new term.
- MMR (measles, mumps and rubella vaccine)
- MenACWY vaccine (protecting against four types of meningococcal disease)
- HPV vaccine for protection against cancers caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Td/IPV booster vaccine protecting against tetanus, diphtheria and polio
- Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine protects against one of the bacteria which can cause meningococcal disease, which can be very serious and can cause severe illness including meningitis and septicaemia. This vaccine is now available to those starting university in the 2026/27 academic year. Find out more about the MenB vaccine on the NHS website.
Speak to your GP to check which vaccinations you have already had, or to book in to receive any you have not already received. Students from overseas are also eligible for these routine vaccines.
Whiteknights campus is only a short journey from Reading town centre and there are many sustainable options for travel to the University of Reading.
If you arrive in the UK at Heathrow Airport, you do not need to go through central London. You can travel directly from Heathrow to Reading via the RailAir coach. If you arrive in Reading by bus or train, you will arrive at Reading train station and from there you have the option of taking a bus or taxi to campus.
On Thursday 17 September to Sunday 20 September 2026 from 9:00-17:00 Student Ambassadors will be waiting for you as you arrive at Reading train station. Look out for them with their Reading signs and red t-shirts! They can show you where to hail a taxi or which bus to board from the train station to get to campus.
More information on travelling to campus.
Important documents:
- Photo ID (this could be a valid passport, national identity card, Military ID or EU photo driving licence)
If you do not have photo ID, please email campuscard@reading.ac.uk
Please note: If you would like to work alongside studying, please ensure you bring your passport and/or birth certificate with you. These documents are needed to conduct 'right to work' checks for all students (UK and international).
Other documents you should bring with you:
- Any official paperwork you have received from the University
- Bank details, cards, chequebook and paying in book
- National Insurance Number (if applicable)
- NHS card (if applicable)
- Details of your student finance arrangements (if applicable)
Please see our suggestions for what items to bring below, and don't forget that the most important thing to bring is something that will make Reading feel like home - it could be photos of friends and family, posters, or your favourite bedding.
Don't worry if you forget any of the items on the list below. There are plenty of shops in Reading where you can buy these items cheaply. Buying some of your items in Reading after you’ve arrived, such as kitchen equipment, can save you having to pack and unpack heavy items, especially if you have a long journey and travelling from abroad.
Things for your room and kitchen equipment:
- Clothes
- Towels
- Duvet, pillows and covers
- Toiletries
- Pots and pans
- Cutlery
- Bowls and plates
- Kitchen utensils
Things for your course:
- Stationery (including pens, pencils and highlighters)
- Calculators
- Dictionary and thesaurus
- PC/laptop (including all the cables)
- USB memory stick
- Lined paper and notepads
- A4 ring binder
- Post-it notes
- Scissors
- Stapler
- Any work from A Level/Baccalaureate/BTEC that you think might come in handy
Other things:
- Your mobile phone and charger
- Your address book (or a list of important numbers in case you lose your phone)
- Enough cash to get you through your first few days while you wait for your loan to come through
- Food for the first few days
- Torch
- Washing detergent
- Paracetamol/aspirin
- Games/balls/sports equipment
- Umbrella
If you’re living in University accommodation you are able to reserve a bedding or kitchen pack in advance and collect upon arrival. More information on this can be found in your halls e-induction and arrival booking.
After you arrive
Enrolment is the process where you are confirmed as a student at the University. Enrolment needs to be completed in full so you can take part in Welcome activities and begin your studies.
There are two stages to enrolment: online via the RISIS portal, and in-person. Find detailed information on completing your online and in-person enrolment on the Welcome website.
When enrolling on campus you will need to undertake an ID and visa check. Please bring your visa documents (including your visa decision letter), CAS, passport, eVisa share code , flight confirmation/boarding pass and any other immigration permission documents you may have. It is important that you can provide valid evidence of the date you entered the UK to complete your enrolment, so please do not dispose of any travel documents upon arrival to the UK.
You must complete your in-person enrolment on campus by the latest date to enrol, as specified on your CAS.
It is a good idea to open a UK bank account when you arrive in the UK. It is usually best to have a physical bank.
You can find all the information you will need on our Opening a Bank Account webpage.
If you have any issues with opening a bank account, please contact the International Student Advisory Team. To find out how to protect yourself from fraud and scam while you study with us, please view our fraud pages.
Budgeting is a normal part of life for most students. The Student Financial support team are always on hand to offer advice on funding, student bank accounts, budgeting for living expenses and paying your fees.
We are continuing to make campus more affordable by freezing costs and making it possible for students to make savings wherever possible. We work closely with the Students’ Union to reduce the cost of living on campus and to offer financial assistance where possible for those in need. Read more on the ways we are supporting the cost-of-living.
Working for Campus Jobs, the on site recruitment service just for University of Reading students, will allow you to earn some extra cash while you are studying, subject to your visa conditions.
Campus Jobs matches you with part-time work opportunities on campus. Whether you are interested in working in the bars, catering, at the Open Days or even in your department.
The Careers team can also help you to find a part-time job or placement to compliment your studies. Find out about the Professional Placement Year and read more on gaining experience and updating your CV. Also, look out for JobFest taking place in welcome week.
Once you have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your Student visa application, you can access the National Health Service (NHS) and you can register as a patient at a local health centre closest to where you live. If you miss this opportunity to register in person during enrolment, you can register online.
Be sure to check the information for international students about accessing health care in the UK to see what is included and what incurs additional costs.
You will need to have a valid digital immigration status share code with you when registering with a local health centre.
Register with a local doctor
You will probably be spending most of your time in Reading over the next few years, so it's important to have a local doctor available to you. That way you can receive emergency care if you need it, and access health services quickly and easily – something that is especially important if you have an ongoing health condition.
You can find a doctor by using the NHS Find a GP service.
You can find sexual health support at NHS Find a Sexual Health Clinic or call the National Sexual Health Helpline at 0300 123 7123 for free and confidential advice.
Register for dental care
The University Dental Surgery provides an NHS comprehensive dental service which is available to staff, students and the general public.
New patients must register with the service before booking an appointment:
- 9 Northcourt Avenue (behind the University Medical Practice)
- Telephone: +44 (0)118 975 9660
- Opening Hours: 09:00-13:00 and 13:30pm -17:00 Monday to Friday
You can find an alternative dentist through NHS Find a Dentist service.
The Disability Advisory Service (DAS) provides support for students with any disability, long term health condition, mental health condition, or specific learning difficulty (SpLD) to enable students to reach their full potential.
If you declare a disability/long term medical condition on your UCAS application, have applied to us and have chosen Reading as your first choice we will contact you ahead of your arrival at the University, to ask more about your disability. It’s important to respond to us so we can work out how best to support you.
If we’re an insurance option for you, please contact us directly on disability@reading.ac.uk or call us on 0118 378 4202.
We’ll send you a registration form which asks you to tell us a bit more about you and the support you might need while here. We’ll also ask you to send us medical evidence/reports. Once we have information from you, we will be in touch to help get support set up ready for you starting with us.
If you did not declare your disability/condition on your UCAS application or haven’t heard from us but believe you should have, please contact us directly on disability@reading.ac.uk or call us on 0118 378 4202.
If you require daily personal care or assistance to live independently and are based in the UK, you should contact your Social Services team from your local authority as early as possible to discuss the options available to you. It is likely they will carry out an assessment of your care needs which can take 6-12 months to complete.
If you need a UK SIM card you can collect one for free from the Student Services reception desk in the Carrington building on Whiteknights Campus.
It's a good idea to download some of our essential apps - these apps are designed to help you settle into university life and find out more about the services and opportunities available to you.
- The UoR Welcome App: this app is available to you from August and includes everything you need to know and do before you arrive. It contains your events schedule for Welcome week including school introduction sessions and student life activities.
Visit UoR Welcome app to download or search for UoR Welcome on your app store.
- The UoReading Student App: the official University of Reading student app is free to download and available to all current students. The app makes accessing all the essential information you need for student life at Reading as easy as possible, including access to your timetable, the latest news, opportunities and events, and quick links to important services and support.
The UoReading Student App will be available to you once you have activated your IT account at enrolment.
- The Marvis Client app: to connect to Eduroam, the University's free campus Wi-Fi network, you will need to install the Marvis Client app on any personal device you wish to connect. We recommend you download the app in preparation for arriving at Reading.
Search Marvis Client in your app store and visit Wifi for more information.
- Email: During the enrolment process you will be given a University of Reading Microsoft 365 account, which includes access to an Outlook email account. Once you have access to your student email account we recommend you check this daily for updates.
TV Licence
If you watch live TV or BBC iPlayer whilst at university, you need a TV licence. Check out how it works for your living situation:
- Living in halls: you will need to be covered by a licence for your room. You will be able to watch TV in shared areas too.
- House or flat shares: you will need your own licence if where you live is self-contained, such as a separate flat or annex, or if you have a separate contract for your room.
- Property with joint tenancy: you will need one licence for the address. Ask your landlord if you're already covered.
- Living at home: if you commute to university from home, that property must have a licence.
Find out more on the TV Licence website.
Council Tax
Council Tax is a local tax on a residential property based on the property's value. They money goes towards local community services such as Police and Fire Authorities, waste collection, parks and libraries. A Council Tax Bill is automatically sent out to each property every year.
To be exempt from paying Council Tax, a student needs to be enrolled for the purpose of undertaking a "full-time course or education" for at least 24 weeks in an academic year. If in doubt, ask your School if your course is a "full-time course of education".
Find out more about Council Tax as a student.
Parking permits
We encourage students not to bring their car to university and to opt for more sustainable travel options where possible. However, if you are bringing your car onto campus or to halls you will need to apply for a parking permit.
Find out more about University of Reading parking permits.
Register to vote
Some international students are eligible to vote in some UK elections - have a look to see if you are eligible to vote.
One important thing that’s easy to overlook is registering to vote. Even if the next big elections aren’t until later in the year, it’s a good idea to get on the electoral register as soon as you move. It’s quick and free – and it means you’ll be ready to have your say whenever an election is called.
University is a great time to explore different ideas, learn about politics, and figure out which party or candidate best matches your values. When the time comes you’ll be ready to vote with confidence. Head to the Electoral Commission website to register - it only takes five minutes online.