Student profiles

Guy Fletcher, 2nd year

Many departments claim that they are friendly and welcoming. In Reading's case it is true. I moved to Reading for the PhD and knew nobody in the department when I arrived. Within weeks of arriving I felt like a member of not only the graduate cohort but the department as a whole. I think this is true of all the Graduate students here. The number of seminars, graduate classes, reading groups, visiting speakers, and departmental socials is superb and they are a vital part of what makes the department feel like a genuine community.

Despite their distinguished reputations, the faculty are friendly and very willing to offer helpful advice and encouragement. They are also, of course, happy to dispense devastating objections to ideas, when necessary.

The backbone of the department is the support staff, who are always incredibly efficient and helpful. They really made my arrival as a new graduate student very simple and stress-free.