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More than 90 years of excellence


The University of Reading has been at the forefront of UK higher education for nearly a century. Over the decades we have become innovators and pioneers, pushing academic boundaries and leading social change.

In 2016, we celebrated the 90th anniversary of the grant of our Royal Charter by King George V.

Find out more about the history of the University and our journey to where we are now.

90th logo

More than 90 years

We’ve been inspiring minds and solving problems for more than 90 years.

Find out more about the University’s history.

Find out more
Graphic depicting Earth. Caption: 19,000 student from over 150 countries

A gLOBAL community

Home to more than 19,000 students, the University of Reading is proud to welcome staff and students from all of the world. Our award-winning campuses – in Reading, Henley-upon-Thames, Johannesberg, and Iskandar – house contemporary study facilities, halls of residence, support services, cafes and bars.


Find out more
Stylised map of UK and western Europe

Looking forward

We strive to create a stronger, better University of Reading, building on our past to create an exceptional future. Our four guiding principles form the foundation of our strategy: a genuine love of learning; creating new knowledge; embracing and celebrating diversity of people and ideas; and caring for our environment.
Find out more
Students playing with a frisby on Whiteknights campusClock tower on London Road campusGreenlands campusStudents relaxing on the grass

Our Campuses

Find out more about our award winning campuses at the University of Reading. 

Whiteknights campus

Our main campus is set in 130 hectares of beautiful parkland, so you’ll find plenty of places to relax during the day. The campus has won nine consecutive Green Flag awards, recognising it as one of Britain’s top green spaces.

The campus is a thriving community and features the Students' Union (RUSU), library, places to eat and one of the UK’s best student clubs. You’ll have everything you need right on your doorstep.


London Road campus

The London Road campus has recently undergone a £30m transformation. This historic site, one of the University’s original campuses, is home to the Institute of Education (IoE). It also features the Great Hall, which is used for concerts and graduation ceremonies, and a bar/cafe that serves hot and cold food.


Greenlands campus
Home to one of Europe’s top business schools, our stunning Greenlands campus is situated on the banks of the River Thames near Henley. It features a fully equipped fitness centre, business facilities, a conference centre, accommodation and dining room. Greenlands is used by the University's Henley Business School as the base for its MBA and corporate learning.

We were delighted to welcome Her Majesty the Queen to Greenlands' beautiful lawns during the summer of 2012, as the campus was chosen as a venue for one of the region's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations.

Find out more about our campuses and facilities.

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University of Reading Malaysia campus

Malaysia

After successfully educating international students for more than a century, the University of Reading established its first overseas campus in Malaysia in September 2015. This is a natural extension of the close ties we have enjoyed with Malaysia over the years. The first cohort of students from the University of Reading Malaysia graduated in July 2017.

Find out more about the University of Reading Malaysia.

Find out more
Library concept imageChancellors building

2026: TRANSFORM

Read about the University of Reading's capital investments and campus improvement programme.

One of our key ambitions as a university is to continuously invest in providing first-class facilities for our students. By our centenary year, 2026, we want to significantly build on the successes we have already accomplished so far.

Many of the reasons behind these projects stem directly from student feedback, such as the need for more study space and better technical resources. Other key factors address sustainability, such as improving energy efficiency and reducing our carbon emissions.

While these projects focus on our long-term ambitions, we will be taking great care to minimise the risk of disruption for students currently studying at the University.

See full information about our capital investments and campus improvement programme.

Read more
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The community

The University has a wide range of events and activities for you to take part in, even if you aren't a student.

Whether it’s public events, museums, a cinema, public lectures or our SportsPark, there’s plenty for you to get involved in.

Find out what we have to offer and join our community.
KTP building

Working with business

At the University of Reading, we're taking a fresh approach to working with business, focusing on building positive, long-term partnerships.

We will work with you to understand your needs and find the right approaches at the right time.

Students and member of University staff looking at museum artefects

Teaching and learning

At Reading we are dedicated to staying at the forefront of teaching and learning developments.

Read more about our teaching and learning strategy. 

Economic and Social Impact Report

We make a significant economic, social and cultural contribution to Reading and the Thames Valley, as well as the UK and other locations in the world.

Find out more about our economic and social impact (PDF 1,158KB).

League table rankings

League table Position
QS World University Rankings 2021
205th worldwide and 27th in the UK
The Complete University Guide 2021 39th in the UK
The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020 Joint 38th in the UK
2020 Times Higher Education World University Rankings 201-250 in the world and joint 29th in the UK

Term dates

Session 2020/21

Autumn term

Monday 28 September (Monday 21 September for new students) - Friday 11 December 2020 

Spring term

Monday 11 January - Friday 26 March 2021

Summer term

Monday 19 April - Friday 11 June 2021

Closure days and public holidays

  • Tuesday 22 December 2020 - Closure day
  • Wednesday 23 December 2020 - Closure day
  • Thursday 24 December 2020 - Closure day
  • Friday 25 December 2020 - Public holiday
  • Monday 28 December 2020 - Public holiday
  • Tuesday 29 December 2020 - Closure day
  • Wednesday 30 December 2020 - Closure day
  • Thursday 31 December 2020 - Closure day
  • Friday 1 January 2021 - Public holiday
  • Thursday 1 April 2021 - Closure day
  • Friday 2 April 2021 - Public holiday
  • Monday 5 April 2021 - Public holiday
  • Tuesday 6 April 2021 - Closure day
  • Monday 3 May 2021 - Public holiday
  • Monday 31 May 2021 - Public holiday
  • Monday 30 August 2021 - Public holiday
Closure days and public holidays
Clock tower

Value for Money

Read more about the benefits of our work to students and wider society.
Students studying at the sunny union cafe

Key people

Get to know our Vice-Chancellor, President of the Council, our Teaching and Learning Deans, and a host of other key figures at the University.

A group of staff and students from the University of Reading

Faces of reading

Find out more about some of our staff members and how they contribute to the performance, community and culture here at Reading.

Close-up of a student reading on a sunny day, outside and surrounded by trees.

Jobs

With over 4000 academic and support staff, the University of Reading is one of Berkshire’s biggest employers. Many academic staff members are world-leading authorities, working at the cutting edge of their fields. 

Benefits

We offer over 200 free workshops each year, as well as accredited teaching and management programmes. Find out more about our benefits, flexible working arrangements and annual leave policy.

Equality and diversity

By actively promoting best practice in equal opportunities and diversity, the University enjoys a positive working environment that is free from discrimination.

Our approach has led to a long and successful track record in recruiting and retaining high-calibre staff for the benefit of our students, stakeholders and local community.

Support

Alongside attractive employment benefits, we provide professional training opportunities and a full suite of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes.

See our job vacancies

Come and work with us
Sports Hall of Fame pavilion

Sports Hall of Fame

Discover our students and alumni who have excelled in their sporting achievements, and help us celebrate their ambition, dedication and success.

Students enjoying a well deserved drink at the union barNew lectures attending a FLAIR session

The local area

Whether you are a sports fan, love a good comedy club or just want a night out with friends, Reading has something for you.

The Oracle shopping centre is home to the big names in retail, but there are also independent stores and boutiques around town too. You'll also find plenty of green spaces to relax in and a huge range of cuisines from around the world. 

Club venues and bars extend beyond campus as Reading town centre transforms from day to night. Discover festivals and new music acts, unique club events and cocktail bars or indulge in one of our late-night ice cream parlours.

Reading Festival is one of the best known music festivals in the UK, with over 87,000 fans flocking to see some of the biggest names in music.

You can also experience the thrill of a live football or rugby match at the Madejski Stadium​, which is close to the town centre. The venue, which seats over 24,000 people, is home to Reading FC and London Irish Rugby Club.

Travel links

As well as all the benefits of a beautiful campus location, Reading is also within easy reach of one of the world's most iconic capital cities. There are excellent transport links to London so getting there is easy and simple. 

Direct links by train:

London Paddington – 30 minutes
Oxford – 30 minutes
Bristol – 1 hour 15 minutes
Birmingham – 1 hour 40 minutes
Cardiff –1 hour 40 minutes

International airports are just a short journey away

It takes only 40 minutes by direct Railair bus service to get from Reading train station to London Heathrow, and London Gatwick is just over an hour away by train.

Read more

Policies and Corporate Publications

Find out more about the University of Reading's Academic and Governance Services.

View our policies and reference documents.

NUIST Outlook of the whole building

NUIST-University of Reading Academy

This joint academy offers programmes in which students spend three years studying in China before coming to Reading to complete their final year.
Lecturer and students assembled around a table looking at a human bones. A skeleton stands in the corner.

The Student Contract

University is a partnership between us and you. To find out about your rights and responsibilities as a student, visit our Student Contract page.

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CHOOSE A SUBJECT
2020
2021
Undergraduates
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Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

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