Accommodation information
If you are a Prospective student please go to the Student accommodation at the University of Reading pages.
Welcome to all new students moving into Halls for the academic year 2011/12.
The information on these pages is aimed at providing freshers moving into Halls of Residence with essential information and to help make your move into Halls an easier one.
For more detailed information relating to your own Hall, including arrival day details, Welcome Talk and Fire Talk times and the JCR Committee see the Individual Hall pages.
If you have applied for a room in Halls you will receive an offer letter confirming your place along with a Student Residency Agreement. If you haven't received these yet contact the Student Advisory Team (either by logging a call via the RISISweb portal or emailing helpdesk@reading.ac.uk).
Arrival at University
New UK Students
If you are a new UK student and your course starts on Monday 10 October (Freshers Week from 3 October) you should arrive at your Hall on Sunday 2 October between 10.30am and 4.30pm.
Owing to the large number of students expected for Park Group Halls (Mackinder, Stenton and Windsor Halls) arrival will take place on Saturday 1 October and Sunday 2 October. You will shortly be contacted by e-mail to notify you of your arrival day and other arrangements.
International Students
If you are a new international student and your course starts on Monday 10 October (Freshers Week from 3 October) you may arrive at your Hall between Friday 30 September and Sunday 2 October inclusive. Please notify your Hall/Group office of your arrival date and time at least four days before you come to Reading. Hall/Group contact details can be found in the 'Contact Us' box on this page.
If you course starts earlier than 3 October you will be expected to arrive at your Hall on the start date of your residency period as shown on your accommodation offer.
Please contact your Hall/Group office for details if you expect to arrive outside normal office hours (9am to 5pm). Please note that there may be a call-out charge for arrival in the late evening or early morning.
If you have not arrived by 12 noon on Monday 3 October the University reserves the right to re-allocate your room, unless you have told your Hall that you will arriving late and received confirmation from them that this is agreed.
Getting to Reading and Car Parking on Arrivals Day
Location maps for all Halls and campus car parks are available on the University Maps page.
Space for unloading students' belongings at Halls is limited and the areas tend to become very congested. For this reason we would be grateful if you would move your vehicle as soon as possible after you have finished unloading, so that others can get in to unload their belongings. There is ample parking on campus within a short distance of most Halls. See your Individual Hall pages for more detailed information about where to park.
Hall Handbooks
Each Hall has its own Handbook. You will find essential information in the Handbook, including details about the rooms, facilities, health and safety, welfare and recycling.
PDF versions of the 2011-12 Handbooks for each Group of Halls are available here for you to read prior to arriving at University. You will also receive a copy of the Handbook when you arrive at Hall, you should make your sure you read your Handbook and keep it in your room to refer to.
- Residents of Bulmershe and Wessex Halls - Lakeside Group Handbook 2011-12 (PDF- 280KB)
- Residents of St Patrick's, Sherfield and Sibly Halls - Northcourt Group Handbook 2011-12 (PDF-286KB)
- Residents of Benyon Hall - Benyon Hall Handbook 2011-12 (FPD-381KB)
- Residents of Mackinder, Stenton and Windsor Halls (including Dunsden Crescent and Greenow and McCombie) - Park Group Handbook 2011-12 (PDF-313KB)
- Residents of Wantage Hall - Redlands Group Handbook 2011-12 (PDF-290KB)
- Residents of St George's Hall - St George's Hall Handbook 2011-12 (PDF-362KB)
Junior Common Room
All of the University owned Halls have a Junior Common Room (JCR). The JCR is a student society with a formal constitution to which all student members of the Hall belong. It meets regularly and elects a Committee to run its affairs.
JCR funds are used to pay for such items as newspapers, communal televisions etc. The JCR organises social functions and sporting events and fixtures during the year. It also provides facilities like pool tables and gaming machines. It offers welfare support and advice to students.
The JCR fee is charged to each student by the JCR, to be paid on arrival. More details about each Hall JCR will be available on the individual Hall pages shortly.
Welcome Talk
During your first few days of living in Hall a Welcome Talk will be held for all new residents. This talk will be given by the Warden of your Hall. You will be given information when you arrive in Halls regarding the day/time and location of your Welcome Talk.
Fire Talk/Test
During Freshers Week all new residents must attend a short presentation on fire safety. You will receive a letter about the talk on your arrival to the Hall. You will also be required to pass a multiple choice on-line fire safety test in the first few weeks of term.
What to Bring
For tips and ideas on what to bring with you to Hall and also what not to bring see the What to bring to university - Freshers' Checklist (PDF 56KB).
Personal Possessions Insurance
Endsleigh Insurance Services provide a block personal possessions insurance package for students resident in Halls and this is included in your rent. A summary of the cover provided can be found on the Endsleigh Student Possessions Insurance pages.
Bedding Packs
Residents are required to provide their own towels and bed linen. Bedding packs are available for purchase from the Hall. The single size packs cost £20 and include a single duvet, duvet cover, pillow, pillow case and fitted sheet. For the residents of Mackinder (not Dundsen Crescent) and Stenton Halls double size bedding packs to accommodate the larger size beds are available and cost £30.
If you would like to reserve a pack please contact your Hall/Group Office and they will have the pack ready for you to collect on Arrival Day (please note that bedding packs must be paid for by credit/debit card and can not be added to your student account).