Celebrating 100 years

2026 marks 100 years since the University of Reading was granted its Royal Charter. This was a century shaped by our commitment to sustainability, the strength of our community, our research excellence, and a deep belief in the power of engagement to create change.

Our plans for 2026

Throughout this year, we are bringing our global community together to celebrate our achievements of the last 100 years. We'll also set out our ambitions for the century ahead.

Our official birthday celebrations in March will gather staff, students and alumni in a series of events that span the globe.

A programme of official centenary events at our international campuses will bring together academics, alumni, policymakers and partners across the world.

Closer to home, our Community Festival will open our doors to the local community and will witness the revival of our historic charity RAG parade. We will also open our new Outdoor Learning Garden, funded by donations, which will showcase our climate research and benefit students, schoolchildren and community groups alike.

Across the year, a programme of research and community engagement projects funded by our Centenary Grant will put our values into action.

Join our celebrations

Our centenary is a chance to acknowledge the legacies we have built, the futures we are growing and the connections that span continents – and to ask what the University of Reading will contribute to the century ahead.

Whatever your connection to Reading, we invite you to be part of it.