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.

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
• Mathematics
• Psychology
• Physical Geography and Environmental Science (PGES). 

Applications for the Reading Scholars programme 2021 will open in October 2020. View last year’s programme brochure.   

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

27-29 July 2020 or 10-12 August 2020 

Come and join us at this year’s Food and Nutritional Sciences Virtual Summer School, on either 27-29 July or the 10-12 August. Please do indicate via the sign up form below which of the dates would be preferable. Naturally, this is a repeat of the same material so please do not sign up for both. 

You will be baking bread rolls and making your own butter within your kitchen, whilst hearing from our lecturers on topics such as “Sourdough Science” and “Unpicking the ingredients on a loaf of bread”. You will be transformed into food tasters, assessing your bread rolls according to their colour, texture and flavour – just like we would in the food industry. There will be ample opportunity to ask our students and admissions tutor, Jose, questions about the course or student life. You will also hear from our graduates, working for companies such as Lidl, HelloFresh, PepsiCo and Ella’s Kitchen, and a bakery technologist from Bakels. A contribution to your ingredient costs will be provided.

It would be great to see you on either of these two virtual summer schools and we hope to welcome you shortly.

Tuesday 15 September 2020 - 10:00 – 12:00 

Our taster session will give you a glimpse of what life at design school is like. In this taster session you will learn how to combine your intellectual and creative instincts to find solutions to interesting design challenges.

Graphic design involves shaping the appearance and functionality of a product to support the expectations of the user of the product.

A degree in Graphic Communication is an excellent path for someone who is both creative and academic, and can lead to a career as an animator, art director, illustrator or graphic designer. Being a designer is not about being able to draw, paint or code, but your ability to creatively solve problems.

Sign up for our Virtual Graphic Communication Taster Day.

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.  Follow the links below to book onto the following sessions:

• Wednesday 15 July, 10:30-11:30: Subject spotlight on English Language and Linguistics
• Wednesday 8 July, 10:30-11:30: Subject spotlight on English Literature
• Wednesday 22 July, 10:30-11:30: Subject spotlight on studying Finance at University
• Friday 24 July, 11:00-12:00: Top tips for making successful applications to the Flying Start Programme with PwC

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.