Subject taster days give you the opportunity to discover what it would be like to study your chosen subject at degree level. 

On these free of charge days, you will sample lectures and practical sessions, work alongside other students interested in your subject, visit our beautiful award-winning campus, meet our enthusiastic staff and students, and get a real feel for student life at the University of Reading.

To request your place on a subject taster, please complete the application form.

We try to accommodate as many students as possible in our outreach provision and in most cases are able to offer places to all. However, in the case of oversubscription on events, priority will be given to students from groups currently under-represented in Higher Education, and to young people with little or no experience of Higher Education in their family.

Travel bursaries

To enable all students access to our subject tasters we offer travel bursaries to those who meet certain qualifying criteria. We can provide advance return train and bus tickets to the University from a named UK station, or reimburse mileage costs after the event for qualifying students.

To apply for a travel bursary, please complete the travel bursary section of the application form.

We offer a wide range of subject-specific tasters, from Accounting to Zoology.

Want to be the first to know about events and activities in your subject area of interest? 

Please email us at outreach@reading.ac.uk

For teachers and advisors

Keep up to date with what is happening at the University and join our events mailing list. Please visit our teachers and advisors website.

Dates

Get your hands dirty! Spend a week in the sun and learn about archaeology with our current students and expert staff.

Tuesday 25 June, 09:00 - 15:00

Our Department of Mathematics is opening its doors to Year 12 students (and those Year 13 students who plan to defer entry to university until 2020).

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain first-hand experience of studying maths at higher education level.

Wednesday 26 June 2019, 10:00 - 15:30

Through interactive workshops and lectures led by expert academics, we will think about the issues that confront us when we read texts that have been published post-2000.

Wednesday 26 June

The Department of Chemistry are offering Year 12 students the opportunity to experience a day studying chemistry at university. The day will consist of lectures, workshops, and a tour of both the campus and the Department's facilities, with a free lunch included.

Wednesday 3 July

The Department of Archaeology are opening their doors to students considering studying archaeology at university.

Friday 5 July

The Department of Biology are offering prospective students the opportunity to experience a day in the life of a student studying a biological sciences or biology-related degree at Reading.

Wednesday 3 - Friday 5 July 2019

The Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences will be holding its next three-day introductory course between 3-5 July 2019 for Year 12 students.

Tuesday 2 July, 13:00 - 15:30

Would you like to hear more about studying languages with us? This taster afternoon gives you the opportunity to sample our teaching in French, German, Italian or Spanish.

Friday 5 July, 09:30 - 12:30

Come and experience a taster of our BA English Language and Linguistics degree during a taster morning. Take part in a variety of interactive sessions based on some of our most popular teaching topics.

This Summer School will take place on 22-25 July 2019 for Year 12 students from state-funded schools and colleges who want to find out more about a career in property.

Taking place over four days, on campus at the University of Reading, our fully funded Summer School gives students the opportunity to explore the world of property and the range of career options available to them.

Wednesday 24 July 2019

This exciting one-day studio programme gives you the opportunity to examine and learn from the fabric of the town of Reading. We tailor an introductory summer programme specifically aimed at students interested in pursuing a degree in architecture.

The studio will focus on the development of critical urban and architectural analysis and understanding through drawing, model making and the development of a portfolio. You can sign up for day one and/or day two.

Day one

The day will be dedicated to drawing and learning how to use the sketchbook as a tool for documentation and analysis. You'll visit the town of Reading and analyse the urban environment through the development of architectural sketches including plans, sections, and elevations. The session will also encompass a lecture on the preparation of the architecture portfolio.

We tailor an introductory summer programme specifically aimed at students interested in pursuing a degree in architecture. You can sign up for day one and/or day 

Thursday 25 July 2019

The day will be dedicated to learning about the art of model making. Students will focus on concepts of space making through the design, interactive development, and construction of architectural models. The session will also encompass a lecture on the preparation of the architecture portfolio.

The Reading Scholars Programme gives Year 12 students a real taste of life as a university undergraduate, providing practical support as participants begin their higher education application process. Featuring input from leading academics and current undergraduate e-mentors, the programme aims to challenge participants academically and enhance their current studies.

The programme is currently offered in the following subject areas: Art and Design, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Food Science and Pharmacy, English Literature, History, Classics and Archaeology, Languages, Mathematics, Psychology, and Physical Geography and Environmental Science.

Applications for the Reading Scholars programme 2019 are now open. Visit the website for the programme brochure and online application form.  

As part of our commitment to widening participation, the programme is for students who meet our widening participation criteria.

Together with universities and cultural institutions from around the world, the University of Reading has developed a wide range of free online courses. 

Providing you are 13 years or older you can explore a diverse and exciting range of topics in your own time and on any device. Courses include Begin Robotics, Our Changing Climate, and A Beginner's Guide to Writing in English for University Study. Find out more about our free online courses

In unforeseen circumstances, we may have to cancel or amend the events. Participants will be notified of any changes as far in advance as possible.