Attend a virtual subject taster session and discover what it would be like to study your chosen subject at degree level. 

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

'A day in the life of' sessions provide students with the opportunity to find out from real students what it is like to study particular subjects and ask them what life is really like.  During October half term we are offering the following sessions:

A day in the life of a Humanities student

Monday 26 October 2020 14:00 –15:00

A day in the life of a student studying Teaching and Education

Tuesday 27 October 11:00 – 12:00

Tuesday 27 October 14:00 – 15:00

A day in the life of a student studying Psychology and Speech & Language Therapy

Wednesday 29 October 11:00 – 12:00

A day in the life of a Science student

Friday 30 October 14:00 – 15:00

To request your place on a subject taster, please complete the application at the bottom of each event description.

We try to accommodate as many students as possible in our virtual outreach provision and in most cases will be able to offer places to all that are interested. However, in the case of over-subscription on events, priority will be given to students on a first come, first served basis.

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: 

• Architecture
• Art and Design
• Biology
• Business
• Chemistry
• Food Science and Pharmacy (CFSP)
• Education, English Literature
• Film, Theatre and Television (FTT)
• History, Classics and Archaeology (HAC)
• Languages and culture
• Law
• Mathematics
• Psychology
• Physical Geography and Environmental Science (PGES). 

Applications for Reading Scholars programme 2021 is now open. Deadline for application is Friday 6 November. 

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

Join one of our one-hour subject webinar series with a focus on particular subject areas that you can study at university and the University of Reading.  You will hear from academics and/or students talking about what it is like to study their subject at degree level and be able to ask them questions afterwards. Talks typically last between 20-40 minutes with the opportunity for 20 minutes Q&A at the end.

Subject Spotlight: History 

Date: 27th October, 3.00-4.00

'Rule, Britannia! on Trial: Suppressed Legacies of the British Empire'.

In this session we will explore with Dr Beth Rebisz the incredible story of four Kenyans, whose tale is rooted in Kenya's struggle for independence in the 1950's before culminating in the UK High Court decades after in 2011. This fascinating and tragic episode proved a pivotal moment in our understanding of Britain's colonial past.

Sign up to the event. 

Architecture Taster Day

Date: Wednesday 28 October, 9.30am-3.00  

The University of Reading’s Architecture department's taster session offers students the opportunity to experience a typical architecture studio through hands-on design and/or drawing exercises. Students will take part in a workshop dedicated to visualising space and structure and lectures will cover the role of the sketchbook and the preparation of the architecture portfolio.

Sign up to the event.

Subject Spotlight: Human and Physical Geography 

Date: Wednesday 28 October, 3.00-4.00

The University of Reading Geography department are delighted to offer Year 12 and Year 13 students a session based around Global Systems and Governance which will provide a University level insight for attendees in addition to providing some much-needed Post 16 curriculum support. We look forward to you joining us. 

Sign up to the event.

Language, Twitter and Gender: An English Language Taster

29 October - 15:00 - 16:00

Guided by Dr Christiana Themistocleous, during this webinar you will focus on the #metoo movement and analyse tweets from Donald Trump, in order to consider how language is used to make positive change, challenge gender ideologies and the role hate speech plays in relation to migration.

Sign up to the event.

Subject Spotlight: Environmental Science

Date: 30 October 3.00-4.00

The University of Reading Environmental Science department are offering a subject spotlight lecture based around Water and Carbon cycles. This talk is appropriate for Year 12 and Year 13 students and will be of use to any students considering studying Geography and Environmental Sciences at University. 

Sign up for the event.

The Ghost Story: An English Literature Taster

Date: 3 November - 12:30 - 13:30

‘As long as there have been ghosts, there have been stories about ghosts, that are as diverse as the cultures in which they have manifested, but not all such stories are ghost stories.’ During this webinar, run by Dr Neil Cocks, you’ll engage with these ghost story traditions through a close reading of two short poems.

Sign up to the event.

Subject Spotlight: Pharmacology

Date: 3 November 3.30-4.15

Dr Mark Dallas will detail the journey from molecule to medicine and provide an excellent insight to what a degree in Pharmacology or Pharmacy will entail. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience a science based University lecture and we hope to engage with you shortly. 

Sign up to the event.

Modern languages taster: Languages in Translation

Date: 4 November 3:30-4:30  

Join Dr Sophie Heywood and students from our BA Modern Languages programmes who will talk about how we use translation in our classes to explore literature, language and the connections between cultures. 

Sign up now 

Subject Spotlight: Institute of Education

4 November - 17:00 - 18:00

Our academic from the Institute of Education Department will be giving you a flavour of some of the options available to you within the Institute of Education at the University of Reading. We will explore the different routes into teaching through an interactive webinar.

Topics covered by this webinar will include: 

• Introduction to BA Primary Education (QTS) 
• Studying a PGCE after completing a degree in a subject you love  
• More information on our BA Education Studies degree programme 

Sign up to the event.

​Subject Spotlight: An Introduction into Medical Sciences

11 November - 15:30 - 16:15

The University of Reading are delighted to announce that Dr Dyan Sellayah will be talking about our new Medical Sciences degree program and all that it has to offer. Dyan will further offer an insight into the subject material of Medical Sciences through an interactive and engaging session. We would also be delighted to answer any questions that you might have at the conclusion of the talk.

Sign up for the event.

Health and Biological Sciences with the University of Reading

12 November - 15:30 - 15:15

Have you ever wondered or considered a Biology based degree? Dr Dyan Sellayah will be delighted to provide clear information into what this will entail, what to expect and how to prepare. Dyan will further talk about the importance of healthy living and how we can use Biology to achieve this all-important goal on an individual and collective basis. 

Sign up for the event.

If you missed a previous session please watch a recording of our virtual lectures below:

• Subject spotlight on Accounting
• Subject spotlight on English Language
• Subject spotlight on English Literature
• Top tips for making successful applications to the Flying Start Programme with PwC

Register your interest and we will email you with details of upcoming sessions in your subject area of interest. 

We also have a broad range of webinars covering broader HE topics such as choosing a university, student finance, student life and writing personal statement available to attend on a weekly basis.

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.

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.