Freshers' FAQs
Academic
What are the term dates?
What is the difference between a school, a department and a faculty?
Further information is available on the school and department information page
What is it like to study at University?
Further information is available on the preparing to study at university page and the what is it like to study here? page.
I'm not sure I have chosen the right degree programme, what should I do?
Further information is available on the If you want to change your course page
I'm not sure Reading is for me. Who should I talk to?
If you have not yet enrolled you should talk to someone in your Faculty Office:
- Arts, Humanities and Social Science
Telephone: +44 (0)118 378 8066/8187
Email: fasug@reading.ac.uk
- Henley Business School
Telephone: +44 (0) 118 378 7340
Email: b.edwards@henley.reading.ac.uk
- Life Sciences
Telephone: +44 (0)118 378 8371/2
Email: sciug@reading.ac.uk
- Science
Telephone: +44 (0)118 378 8371/2
Email: sciug@reading.ac.uk
If you have already enrolled you have a designated member of staff – a Personal Tutor – whom you should talk to.
Find out more about the Personal Tutorial System at the University of Reading>>>
Financial
When and how should I pay my tuition fees?
If you are a full-time UK undergraduate or PGCE student, you can either pay your tuition fees upfront, or defer payment until after you leave university (or a mixture of both). The only way in which you can defer payment of your tuition fees is to take out a Tuition Fee Loan.
For more about student finance and tuition fee loans, visit one of the following sites:
- Stundent Finance England
- Student Finance Wales
- Student Finance Northern Ireland
- Student Awards Agency for Scotland
- Finance for students from the EU
- Information for international students
If you are not a UK student, or if you are a postgraduate from any country without an agreed sponsor, you will have to pay at least 50% of your fees as part of online enrolment, with the remaining 50% due in January 2012. As you go through the online enrolment process you will be directed to the online fee payment facility, or you can access it from the link below.
Am I eligible for financial support?
I think I'm eligible for the Access Bursary
You are eligible for the University of Reading Access Bursary if your household income is less than £45,000 and you are a full-time UK undergraduate. You do not need to apply for the bursary, the information will be passed to us by Student Finance England for us to assess entitlement, as long as students and sponsors give consent to share their financial information. Payment will be made directly in to your bank account. You will be prompted to enter your bank account details when you receive an email about the Access Bursary – please ensure you follow the instructions promptly or we will not be able to pay your bursary.
Do I have to pay Council Tax?
If you are living in a Hall of Residence you will not have to pay the Council Tax. If you are living in a house or flat in which only students are living, you will not have to pay the Council Tax. If you are living in a house or flat in which there are also one or more non-students, they will have a liability for Council Tax but as a student you will not.
Dwellings occupied by two or more non-students will be liable for the full Council Tax, even if the other resident(s) are students. Dwellings occupied by one non-student and one or more students will be liable for 75% of the tax. If the non-student is a spouse or dependant of the student, and if that non-student is prevented by immigration rules from taking paid employment or claiming benefits, she or he will count as a non-student and you will not have to pay the Council Tax. The non-student's passport will make clear whether she or he is prevented from taking employment. One point to remember is the situation that can arise in a shared house. Even if at the beginning of the year all the residents are students, if one or more leaves the University but stays in the house, then the Council Tax becomes payable. There is no liability for a full-time student to pay Council Tax.
How do I obtain exemption from Council Tax?
We have a special arrangement with Reading, Bracknell and Wokingham Councils. To claim exemption from the Council Tax within these council areas you need to send a photocopy of your Campus Card (formerly the Student Access Card) and a covering letter to the appropriate council to explain that, since the property is occupied only by full-time students, the property is exempt from the tax. You must also list the names of the other residents and say where they are studying. If they are fellow University of Reading students, enclose photocopies of their Campus Cards too.
Students living in other areas/towns will need a Certificate of Enrolment which can be obtained from the Helpdesk in Carrington Building.
Please note that you can claim exemption from Council Tax, or obtain a certificate of enrolment ONLY once you have enrolled as a full-time student.
Click here to find the answers to more Student Funding FAQs>>>
Support and advice
What support is there for people with disabilities?
What childcare provision is available?
Are student parking permits available?
General
What do I do if I lose my Campus Card (formerly the Student Access Card)?
Fill out the Campus Card replacement form and visit the Student Helpdesk in the Carrington Building.
What do I do if I lose my ITS or Library username?
Go to the Helpdesk in the main Library.