Frequently asked questions
Question: Will you guarantee me a place in University accommodation?
Answer: Undergraduates
If you are a undergraduate, Reading is your first choice, and you firmly accept your place and return your application for accommodation by 1 August we will offer you a single study bedroom in Hall. If Reading is your Insurance choice we will usually be able to offer you accommodation, but the choice is likely to be more restricted.
Answer: Postgraduates
If you are a postgraduate student we guarantee you Univeristy accommodation if you fulfill all the conditions of your academic offer by 1 August, and apply for accommodation by that date.
After 1 August you can apply for University accommodation and we will try to find you a room. You can contact the Accommodation Office (studenthelp@reading.ac.uk) who will help to find you a room owned by a private landlord.
Question: How do I apply for a place in University accommodation?
Answer: If you are offered a place at the University of Reading the Faculty Admissions Office staff will send you information about how to make your accommodation application online.
Question: How do I find private rented accommodation?
Answer: The Accommodation Office advertises property available to let on behalf of local private landlords. See the Private accommodation page.
Question: Can I bring my car with me?
Answer: University accommodation
All Halls have car parks, although parking facilities are very limited in many Halls. You must obtain permission from your Hall office in advance if you want to bring your car with you.
Please note that parking will be particularly limited in the Park Group of Halls during 2009-10 due to the re-development works.
Answer: Private accommodation
There is very limited on-street parking in most areas around the University.
Question: How much will it cost for me to live in University accommodation?
Answer: See the section on Accommodation & Living Costs.
Question: How many weeks will I have to pay for?
Answer: In the fully-catered Halls the residence period is the same as the academic year (31 weeks, including Freshers' Week). This does not include the vacations, however in St Patrick's and Wantage Hall you may leave your belongings in your room over the Christmas and Easter vacations). In some Halls 51-week residence periods are also available (includes Freshers' Week). The UPP Halls (Reading Student Village and St George's Hall) have a choice of 40 or 51 week residence for new students
Question: How will my Hall room be furnished?
Answer: University accommodation
All Hall rooms are fully furnished and include a single bed, desk/table, desk chair, wardrobe and shelves. There is a launderette in every Hall. Residents are required to provide and launder their own bed linen (including duvet, duvet cover, pillows, pillow cases, sheets). You should also bring your own towels, cooking equipment, crockery and cutlery. Students in fully-catered Halls may also wish to bring some mugs and plates etc for preparing hot drinks and snacks in the kitchen/pantry areas.
You will receive detailed information on what is provided from your Hall in September.
Answer: Privately operated Halls
Cleaning in the Student Village and St. Georges Hall is only provided for the communal areas, and residents are required to provide and launder their own bed linen and towels.
Question: Can I access the internet from my Hall room?
Answer: Yes
A data service in all Hall bedrooms allows you to connect your PC direct to the University network, giving unlimited high-speed access to the internet. (The data service provided at Reading Student Village is operated by CableCom).
Answer: Private Accommodation
In a private room you will need to organise your own internet connection. Advice is available on the IT Services website.
Question: What about telephones?
Answer: There are no telephone lines in study bedrooms, but each Hall has a number of internal phones which can be used to make emergency calls free of charge, and other external calls using a 'calling card'. In addition, each Hall has at least one payphone in an area suitable for making confidential calls. Many students now use commercial voice-over-IP services to obtain a telephone connection via the data network.
Question: Can I live in University accommodation in my second year?
Answer: You may apply for a Hall place for your second year. However, if demand exceeds the number of rooms available priority for Hall places is given to first and final year undergraduates, to postgraduates from overseas and to students with medical or social requirements. The majority of second year students either rent a private house with other students or stay with a host family. The application deadline for students wishing to have a place in Hall for the following academic year is 14th February. The allocations are announced in early March so that those students living out will have plenty of time to arrange where to live before you start your second year in October.
Question: What alternatives are there to University accommodation?
Answer: The Student Services Advisory Team offers a comphrensive accommodation service. Contact the Advisory Team on 0118 378 8054/5 or studenthelp@reading.ac.uk for advice on:
- renting private accommodation
- staying with a host family
- University-owned accommodation for couples and families
Question: Can I smoke in my Hall of Residence?
Answer: No - all areas of Halls (including study bedrooms) have been designated as no-smoking areas.
