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Other ways to visit the University

Planning your day

Follow our top tips to get the most from you

  1. Plan in advance: use our agenda builder and create a personalised timetable for yourself. 

  2. Include general talks in your day: attend talks on student finance, careers, accommodation, study abroad opportunities and much more. 

  3. Head for the Open Day Dome when you first arrive: check-in and explore all that the University has to offer, including subject areas and support services. 

  4. Visit subject departments: meet and chat with staff and students from the courses you might like to study.

  5. Attend our ‘Why Study…’ talks: talks provide you with an introduction to studying your subject of interest here at Reading. 

  6. Join a tour: explore our award-winning campus and the wide range of accommodation options. Tours leave from the Palmer building.

  7. Chat with current students: find out about University life, including social, sporting and extra-curricular activities. 

  8. Take a break: Try one of the many places to eat and drink on campus, including the Street Food Market. 

  9. Visit Reading town centre: catch the bus into Reading; it’s easy and free for Open Day visitors.

  10. Have fun: remember to enjoy yourself.

Travelling to the University

We recommend you use public transport to travel to the University on Open Days. A free shuttle bus runs between Reading train station and the University.

For general travel information, please view our Visit us page. Specific Open Day travel information will be available nearer the time.

360 video – Experience an Open Day

Explore the University of Reading's Whiteknights campus in 360 degrees during an Open Day.

Our campuses

Student life is primarily based at our two campuses in the heart of Reading. Our Whiteknights campus, set in 130 hectares of beautiful parkland, will act as the main hub for Open Days.

Our historic London Road campus is home to our education and architecture courses. Although it’s only a 15-minute walk away, a free shuttle bus will run between the two campuses on Open Days.

Open Day example schedules

Unsure of what to expect from an open day? We have created four example schedules to help you plan your day.

Examples include:

  • a full-day
  • an afternoon
  • studying for a joint degree
  • studying education or architecture at our London Road campus.

Full day schedule

Time Activity
09:00 Register at the Dome
09:30-10:00   Why choose Reading?
10:15-10:45

Speak to students and staff in the Russell Building

11:00-11:45 Why study Geography
12:00-12:30

Example Lecture: Exploring Earth’s Natural Processes  

12:30-13:15

Lunch break

13:30:14:00 Accommodation and catering talk
14:00-15:00 Accommodation tour
15:00 Depart

Saturday afternoon schedule

Time Activity
11:30

Register at the Dome
Speak to representatives from admissions, careers and the Business School

12:00-12:30   Lunch at Dolce Vita café
12:30-13:00

Why choose Reading?

13:00-13:30

Campus tour

13:30-14:15 Why study Accounting at Reading
14:30-15:00 Accommodation and catering talk
15:00-16:00 Accommodation tour

Joint degrees schedule

Time Activity
09:00 Register at the Dome
Chat to representatives from English Literature and History
09:30-10:15   Why study English Literature at Reading
10:30-11:15 Why study History at Reading
11:15-11:45

Go to History Departments to get a cup of coffee with staff and students 

11:45-12:45 Accommodation tour of Bridges and Wessex Halls 
12:45-13:30

Grab something to eat from at the Street Food Market 

13:30-14:00

Joint degree programme

14:00-14:30

Campus tour

14:30-15:00

Accommodation and catering talk

London Road-based study schedule

Time Activity
09:00 Register in the Great Hall, London Road
09:30-10:00   Tour of London Road campus and facilities for education and teaching
10:00-10:45

Why study BA Primary Education (QTS) at Reading?

11:00-11:45 BA Primary Education with English Specialism (QTS)
12:00-12:30 Lunch at the Dairy
12:40 Head to Acacia’s car park to pick up the shuttle bus to Whiteknights
13:00-13:30 Campus tour
13:30-14:00 Accommodation and catering talk
14:00-15:00

Tour of accommodation

Example schedules
Aerial view of the Great Hall and the London Road campus

Interested in architecture, education or teaching?

Our historic London Road campus is home to our architecture, education and teaching courses. There will be a range of talks and tours for these subjects on the London Road campus during the Open Day.

Make sure you also visit the Whiteknights campus during your day to discover more about life at Reading, see some of our accommodation and find out more about student life. 

Accessibility

We aim to provide an accessible environment for all our staff, students and visitors. If you or a member of your party have any particular accessibility needs or special requirements, we recommend you contact the Open Days team directly.

Travel to the University

For more information on travelling to the University, please visit the travel guide for Open Days page.

The Whiteknights campus

Our main campus is set in 130 hectares of predominantly flat parkland. Paved paths run across the campus connecting all buildings and points of interest.

If you or a member of your party needs assistance moving around the campus, then try our Readibus service, the stop for which can be found in car park 10, opposite the Open Day Dome. Ask at the information point in the Dome for more information or simply approach the Readibus and tell the driver where you’d like to go or what you’d like to see.

The Open Day Dome

The Dome is a large inflatable meeting space which acts as the central information point for Open Days. Please be aware that as all our staff and students representing the University's schools, departments and services are represented in the Dome, this can create a noisy and bustling atmosphere. If necessary, we can organise an alternative space for you to meet academics (by prior arrangement only).

Disability Advisory Service

The Disabled Advisory Service (DAS) offers expert advice and guidance to prospective and current students. DAS run a series of visit days outside the public Open Days. For more information and guidance, please view our disability information pages.

For more information

Find the course for you

Find out more about the subjects and courses available at Reading.

What to expect from an Open Day

Student life

Enjoy the best of both worlds. Experience life on a beautiful green campus in the heart of a lively town. Find out more about student life at Reading.

Prospective students should choose the University of Reading because of the vast amount of opportunities available here, whether it's study abroad, taking a placement year, or just the enthusiastic and amazing teaching staff. I, myself, chose Reading after attending an open day and the enthusiastic staff helped me make my decision.

Amy Milliner
BA Classical Studies
Infographic of an inflatable exhibition space, shaped like a dome

Your first stop of the day: the Open Day Dome

The Dome is the heart of our Open Day experience and should be your first stop of the day.  It showcases all that the University has to offer, every subject area is represented here with staff and current students on hand to answer your questions

Read more
Infographic for

Attend university life sessions

Want to know more about student life? Interested in studying abroad? Questions about student finance? Our university life information sessions cover these topics and many more.

Read more
Infographic of a checklist

Focus on your subjects of interest first

Open Days are a chance for you to get a taste of the courses you might like to study. Our ‘Why Study…’ talks provide you with an introduction to studying your subject of interest. 

Read more
Infographic of a house

Visit student accommodation

If you are planning on living away from home whilst at Reading make sure you visit our student accommodation. 

A selection of catered and self-catered halls are open to visitors throughout our Open Days.


Read more
Infographic of trees

Take a guided campus tour

On Open Days, we run campus tours every 15 minutes. Guided by a student, you will take in all the highlights of the main campus.



Read more
Infographic representing food

Take a break: eat on campus

The Open Day isn't all about attending talks and tours. Take time to have a break and reflect on what you've seen and heard.

Read more

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