Before you arrive

If you are looking for financial support while you study and to help pay your course fees, you can apply for student finance.

Applications will need to be approved by your parents/guardians/partner and include your household income assessment which will allow the University to assess your eligibility for a bursary.

Further financial support and advice can be found here:

• Postgraduate fees and funding
• International financial and insurance
• GOV.UK Student Finance 
• Student Finance Wales
• Student Finance Northern Ireland
• Student Awards Agency for Scotland
• Finance for students from the EU 
• Information for international students
• Professional and Career Development Loans

For useful information to support your visa application from your home country, visit the 'Apply for a visa from outside the UK' page. If you are making a visa application from within the UK, visit our page on applying within the UK.

As well as visa advice and application checks for students, the University's International Student Advisory Team can help you with:

• familiarising yourself with the Tier 4 visa application requirements;
• updates on Immigration Rule changes;
• information on working and travelling during and after your studies;
• advice and guidance on supporting you comply with your visa conditions;
• advice on how changes to your studies may affect a Tier 4 student visa;
• the EU settlement scheme.

The Disability Advisory Service (DAS) provides support for students with any disability, long term health condition, mental health condition, or specific learning difficulty (SpLD) to enable access to learning where previously this may be a difficulty.

If you declare a disability/long term medical condition on your UCAS application, have applied to us and have chosen Reading as your first choice we will contact you ahead of your arrival at the University, to ask more about your disability. It’s important to respond to us so we can work out how best to support you. If we’re an insurance option for you, please contact us.

We’ll send you a registration form which asks you to tell us a bit more about you and the support you might need while here. We’ll also ask you to send us medical evidence/reports. Once we have information from you, we will be in touch to help get support set up ready for you starting with us.

If you did not declare your disability/condition on your UCAS application or haven’t heard from us but believe you should have, please contact us directly on disability@reading.ac.uk or call us on 0118 378 4202.

If you require daily personal care or assistance to live independently and are based in the UK, you should contact your Social Services team from your local authority as early as possible to discuss the options available to you. It is likely they will carry out an assessment of your care needs which can take 6-12 months to complete.

We have put together some more detailed resources to help you:

• How to access support for independent living/personal care
• A timeline of events from your application to the start of term
• Information for students with disabilities coming to the University of Reading

Tuition fee payments can be made online via our student payment website 

You can use your debit, credit card or PayPal account without the University levying a charge.

You can also pay in the following ways:

• Bank transfer with WU Global Pay for students (UK & international)
• Cheque payments
• Bank to bank transfer

For more information on all of these methods, visit this page.

Your halls E-induction provides you with all the information you need to know about living in University accommodation, including important information such as your bed size, what to bring and what to expect on your arrival day.

Your halls E-induction will take around 30 minutes to complete and it is compulsory that you do this before you arrive on campus. At the end of your E-induction, you are also able to book your arrival slot to let us know when you are planning on arriving.

How to access the E-induction

Once you have accepted your offer of accommodation and paid your deposit, you will receive an email asking you to complete your E-induction on the Accommodation portal.

1. Log in.
2. Click "Actions" from the top menu bar, then select "Accommodation" from the drop-down menu.
3. On the following page, click 'Connect to Accommodation Online'.
4. Once in the Accommodation portal, click 'View' to open your bookings dashboard and start your E-induction.

Booking your arrival slot

Once you have completed your E-induction, you can then proceed to book your arrival slot on the Accommodation portal. To access this please follow the instructions above.

To give you the best possible start to your course, we encourage you to complete Study Smart – a free online course which we’ve created especially for all of our new undergraduate students.

Study Smart will help to prepare you for study at the University of Reading, which is likely to be different to your previous studies at school, college or in your home country.

With contributions from current students and academic staff from all subjects here at Reading, Study Smart will give you essential insights into what will be expected of you as a student so you can start your studies with confidence.

Study Smart focuses on three main areas of university study:

• academic integrity
• communicating at university
• independent learning

The course will help you to understand how these concepts apply to you and your studies. It also contains vital information on how you’ll be studying this Autumn term, including advice on engaging in online seminars, getting the most out of online course material and using our digital tools. You'll  be able to connect with other new students through the course and share thoughts about this exciting new step in your life, as well as getting advice from current students.

We recommend you complete the course before the term begins to get the maximum benefit. It can be completed in a few short sessions and is designed so you can work through it at your own pace.

How to access Study Smart

If you are a new first year undergraduate student you will receive an email with a link to the course in the in the first week of September 2020.

If you have any queries or issues accessing Study Smart, please email: studyadvice@reading.ac.uk.

During Welcome Week you will hear more about the structure of your course (which we call 'a programme') from your School or Department. Some programmes have greater flexibility than others and you may even be able to choose modules that are not run by your School/Department.

If you have optional modules on your course, you'll be asked to select these online in your first week at the University. It's very important that you make and submit your choices before the module selection closing dates shown below.

Module selection opens for undergraduate and postgraduate students at 9am on Tuesday 22 September.

Module selection closes for undergraduate students at midnight on Thursday 24 September; and for postgraduate students at 5pm on Thursday 1 October.

For each year of your programme, often referred to as a 'part', you must take 120 credits worth of modules. Each module is worth either 10 or 20 credits (the number of credits can be a handy indicator of the work involved).

Using the Module Browser

If you're a new undergraduate, you should use the online module browser to see what optional modules are available to you. The browser opens on Monday 14 September at 9am.

If your programme has less than 120 compulsory credits, you will need to choose additional modules from either your School/Department or from across the University. The module browser will also tell you the 'rules' of your programme, how many optional credits you need to take, and what subjects these need to be in.

We recommend that you use the module browser to consider which optional modules you may wish to take. You can ‘shortlist’ your preferred modules on the module browser and talk to your School/Department before you make your final decision. Please note the module browser is only available for undergraduate students.

Module Selection 

After you have browsed the modules online (if you're an undergraduate), discussed your provisional choices with your School/Department and attended the Module Information Fair, you will need to return to the RISIS portal to make your final module selections. The sooner you’ve chosen your modules, the sooner you will be able to view your teaching timetable online.

Please note: shortlisting modules on the module browser does not confirm selection. You must return to make your choices and submit these.

Help and advice

• If you have problems accessing the online selection please contact RISIS@reading.ac.uk
• If you are having problems with your selections please contact moduleselection@reading.ac.uk
• For specific academic advice (e.g. content of modules etc.) please contact your Programme Director or visit Module Selection Help in your Support Centre front desk who will signpost you to the appropriate member of academic staff in your School.

Students need to formally enrol with the University before they can be fully registered. You need to enrol to access your University of Reading email, teaching timetable, Blackboard, MS Teams, Me@Reading and RISIS Portal. When you are enrolling you will need to tell us whether you will be starting ‘on campus’ or ‘at a distance’.

This year, we have two enrolment statuses:

1. ‘On-campus’ – for students attending face-to-face sessions on campus (even if you know you will need to quarantine (self-isolate) for the first 14 days)
2. ‘At a distance’ – for students studying remotely in the autumn term

You can change your status if, for example, you select ‘at a distance’ at the start of term but are able to attend ‘on campus’ later in the autumn.

'On campus' enrolment - enrol for your course online by completing the following steps:

1. Log in to RISIS to start enrolment - you will need to have some personal details about yourself. Use your Reading ID number as the username and your date of birth in the format DDMMYYYY as the password. 
2. Pay half of your fees or indicate how your fees will be paid (i.e. Student Loan Company, sponsor).

IMPORTANT! Please ensure that you have completed your online enrolment as soon as possible, and by the final date for enrolment.

Your enrolment will be fully completed once you have arrived on campus and collected your Campus Card. To collect your Campus Card you should visit the Palmer Building which will be open between 15-25 September 2020 (including the weekend) each day from 9.30 to 17.30. 

Even if you have uploaded your ID online you must bring appropriate photo ID (Passport, Driving Licence, Military ID) with you, or if no photo ID, you should bring two forms of letters such as birth certificate, bank or utility service letter with your name and address on. 

Please note you must not visit campus to collect your Campus Card if you have symptoms of COVID-19, or you are required to self-isolate for another reason (for example, if you have arrived in the UK from overseas and you need to complete 14 days of ‘quarantine’). 

You should complete your enrolment between 15-20 September 2020 (including the weekend) in the Palmer building. It is important that you complete this process before the beginning of Welcome Week itself (21-25 September). Enrolment will be open each day from 15-25 September from 9.30 to 17.30 each day in the Palmer building. (Number 26 on this map.)

'At a distance' enrolment - enrol for your course online by completing the following steps:

1. Log in to RISIS to start enrolment - you will need to have some personal details about yourself. Use your Reading ID number as the username and your date of birth in the format DDMMYYYY as the password. 
2. Pay half of your fees or indicate how your fees will be paid (i.e. Student Loan Company, sponsor).

IMPORTANT! Please ensure that you have completed your online enrolment as soon as possible, and by the final date for enrolment.

If you tell us you will be ‘at a distance’ you will need to tell us when you expect to arrive and the cause of your delay. You can change your status if, for example, you select ‘at a distance’ at the start of term but are able to attend ‘on campus’ later in the autumn.

Your enrolment will be fully completed once we have checked your uploaded documents and completed the next stage of the process on your behalf. This means you will be able to access your email, timetable and other University systems to start your studies remotely. 

When you do arrive in the UK you should update your status to ‘on campus’. Log in to RISIS  to do this. If you arrive after 16 October, you can collect your Campus Card from your Support Centre, Student Services reception at the Carrington building or Henley Helpdesk. Please remember to also update your status to ‘on campus’.

Why do I need to collect a physical Campus Card?

Your Campus Card allows you to access the library, printing facilities, upload money and pay for food and drink and you will also need to use it as ID for examinations. 
Please note you must not visit campus to collect your Campus Card if you have symptoms of COVID-19, or you are required to self-isolate for another reason (for example, if you have arrived in the UK from overseas and you need to complete 14 days of ‘quarantine’).

IMPORTANT: Enrolment for students who are quarantining

Quarantining students should begin the online stage of their enrolment as normal and select ‘on campus’ as their status, then complete the ‘quarantine’ task on RISIS. It is important to do this as it will then trigger the back-office ID and immigration checking, allowing us to set your student record to “current.”

This will allow new students who are quarantining to have their enrolment processed so they can be fully enrolled and access everything they need. When they have completed their quarantine period they can collect their campus card and BRP card (for some international students) and allows us to complete the final stages of the immigration checks.

• Photo ID (this could be a valid passport, national identity card, or EU photo driving licence) 

If you do not have photo ID, please email campuscard@reading.ac.uk 

Please note: If you would like to work alongside studying, please ensure you bring your passport and/or birth certificate with you. These documents are needed to conduct 'right to work' checks for all students (UK and international).

Other documents you should bring with you:

• Any official paperwork you have received from the University
• Bank details, cards, chequebook and paying in book
• National Insurance Number (if applicable)
• NHS card (if applicable)
• Details of your student finance arrangements (if applicable)

Please see our suggestions for what items to bring below, and don't forget that the most important thing to bring is something that will make Reading feel like home - it could be photos of friends and family, posters, or your favourite bedding.

Don't worry if you forget any of the items on the list below. There are plenty of shops in Reading where you can buy these items cheaply. Buying some of your items in Reading after you’ve arrived, such as kitchen equipment, can save you having to pack and unpack heavy items, especially if you’re travelling from abroad. 

Things for your room and kitchen equipment

• Clothes
• Towels
• Duvet, pillows and covers
• Toiletries
• Pots and pans
• Cutlery
• Bowls and plates
• Kitchen utensils

Things for your course

• Stationery (including pens, pencils and highlighters)
• Calculators 
• Dictionary and thesaurus
• PC/laptop (including all the cables)
• USB memory stick
• Lined paper and notepads
• A4 ring binder
• Post-it notes
• Scissors
• Stapler
• Any work from A Level/Baccalaureat/BTEC that you think might come in handy

Other things

• Your mobile phone and charger
• Your address book (or a list of important numbers in case you lose your phone)
• Enough cash to get you through your first few days while you wait for your loan to come through
• Food for the first few days
• Torch
• Washing detergent
• Paracetamol/aspirin
• Games/balls/sports equipment
• Umbrella

A STaR mentor is an undergraduate student studying at the University of Reading that has volunteered to help new students settle in to University. STaR mentors can help answer questions about all aspects of student life. Read the ‘what to ask your STaR mentor’ guide for more information and suggested questions. 

Your STaR mentor will contact you by email to the email address you applied to the University. They will use their University of Reading email account in all correspondence. Your STaR mentor will contact you within a few days of your confirmation email from the STaR mentor Partnership that you have been partnered with a STaR mentor. Check your email account regularly. 

You can contact your STaR mentor as often as you need to before you start at Reading, during Welcome Week or during the Autumn Term. Please be aware that your STaR mentor is also a student and be mentoring other students. STaR mentors end their role at the end of the Autumn term. If you want to continue talking to your mentor, that is great, but check this is ok with your mentor first. 

We’d like to introduce you to our Welcome Week App, with lots of activities and sessions running throughout the week this app has been created to help you generate your own personal programme. Finding your way on campus with in-built navigation and staying connected with our socials, couldn’t be easier.

Just click here to find the app in the app store or play store now, and check out the video for more information.

As a University we are striving to reduce our impact on the environment, and sustainable travel options for staff and students are a key part of this endeavour. Our campuses in the Reading area are within easy walking and cycling distance from local train stations, and are easily accessible by public transport.

We strongly advise students against bringing a car to campus, and instead encourage you to take advantage of Reading's excellent transport links wherever possible. Find out more about the many travel offers available to students to help you choose more sustainable modes of travel.

Find us by bus

The 21 and 21a buses run from Reading train station in the town centre to our Whiteknights campus at regular intervals, 24 hours a day.

Once you arrive at the train station you can walk or cycle to either campus. If you choose to take a taxi or bus, the bus stops and taxi rank can be found outside the station. A taxi will cost you approximately £8 and a single bus journey will cost you £2.00 (a day ticket is £4.00. You purchase your ticket on the bus and will need either the exact change or a contactless bank card). The buses that run from the train station to the University are as follows:

- To Whiteknights campus (Shinfield Road) -  Number 21*
- To Whiteknights campus (Earley Gate) - Numbers 17 (frequent) or 9
- To London Road campus - Number 21

View central Reading bus stop and route maps, as well as further information about travelling to the University by bus from the surrounding area, on the Reading Buses website.

Find us by train

Reading train station is a mainline train station and is easily accessible from most other places in the UK. There are direct rail links from many major cities, including Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff, Bristol, and Exeter, as well as a number of routes through London.

If you are travelling from or via London, the quickest route to take is from London Paddington station. Trains from London Paddington to Reading run approximately every 15-20 minutes throughout the day and the average journey time is around 30 minutes. Find out more at the National Rail website.

Find us by car

We strongly advise against students bringing a car to campus and encourage staff, students and visitors to use public transport where possible. However, in a case where it is necessary to drive, this is how you can find us by car:

Whiteknights campus
Sat nav postcode for Shinfield Road and Pepper Lane entrances: RG6 6UR
Sat nav postcode for the Earley Gate entrance: RG6 7BE

London road campus
Sat nav postcode: RG1 5AQ

Greenlands campus
Sat nav postcode: RG9 3AU
For further information about how to reach the Greenlands campus visit the Henley Business School website.

Parking

Visitors to our campuses on Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm should be aware that parking needs to be prearranged and that a parking permit must be displayed. Please contact the member of staff or department you are visiting and ask them to arrange a visitor's parking permit. Permits or prearranged parking are not required outside of these times. For further information please email reception@reading.ac.uk or phone +44 (0)118 378 7307.

Cycling to the University 

Not only is cycling to University environmentally friendly, but it can also save you money and help you to keep fit at the same time. Cycling is a popular way to travel among students and staff, and we have lots of services available to make cycling to University simple and affordable.

If you want to give cycling a go but don't own a bike yet, there are lots of options available to you. The Unicycle scheme run by the Students' Union loans recycled bicycles by the term or the year, and the University hosts second-hand bike sales. To find out more about getting a bike in Reading, visit our sustainability webpages.

The University also runs regular bike-maintenance sessions, where a mechanic will check and fix your bike for free, charging only for any parts that might be needed. 

If you'd like to start cycling to University but need a confidence-boost, we also run regular free cycle courses to help you improve your skills and become a safer and more confident cyclist. 
You can find more information about cycling in Reading as well as guidance on keeping yourself and your bike safe.

Find us from the airport

Reading is well connected to both London Heathrow and London Gatwick airports.

London Heathrow
RailAir offers a direct coach service that runs between Heathrow Airport and Reading town centre. Coaches offer free Wi-Fi and at-seat USB charging, and operate frequently: up to every 20 minutes on weekdays, and every 30 minutes at weekends.

For more information, please visit the RailAir website.

London Gatwick
A direct train service runs between Gatwick airport and Reading station. Trains run once an hour, during the day. and take about 75 minutes.

For more information please visit the National Rail website.