Before you arrive
If you are starting a programme at Reading in September or October you are bound to have plenty of questions, some concerns and maybe even anxieties about your forthcoming experience. The aim of these pages is to help answer these questions and help you prepare for the start of your course. There is information on things to do before term starts, how to deal with the transition to university, as well as some tips and advice such as what to bring and what to expect, to help give you a sense of what lies ahead.
Don't forget to read the Freshers' FAQs and University Jargonbuster to help you to make sense of any new terms you come across.
International students should also read the information on the International Welcome Programme pages.
Get enrolled on your course
You have to enrol online before you can start your course. This can be done from any computer, anywhere in the world via the online enrolment pages. Postgraduate enrolment will be open from mid-August; undergraduates can enrol from early September 2011. Once you have completed the enrolment process, you will be able to access your University username, which will allow you to access the University's online services.
Give yourself some time
The main thing to remember is that you don't need to know everything about university life before you arrive – or even in the first week! Give yourself some time and space to settle in. Part of the university experience is finding your way and discovering new things as and when you need to.
Find out what's going on during Freshers' Week
There is a whole programme of events and activities scheduled for Freshers' Week.
There are also events and activities specific to your faculty, school or department. Your individual Freshers' Week timetable will also be available via the RISISweb Portal once you have enrolled.
Look for extra funding
There are several bursaries available to students coming to Reading and details can be found using our funding search. New this year is the Anniversary Bursary, which is only available to UK Undergraduates and offers £3,200 to help with your fees.
You might also want to check out the Student Employment, Experience and Careers Centre's JobShop, to search for part-time work.