Master's students

If you’re living in University accommodation, make sure you’re completed your e-induction, booked an arrival time via the home at halls app and read the step by step arrival guide.

 

If you're looking for private rented accommodation in Reading, take a look at our guide. An increasing number of students also choose to live at home and commute to University.

 

If you're renting private accommodation for the duration of your studies, RUSU's House Hunting Guide is full of information and advice, including where to look for housing and how to find housemates.

The University Careers service is for all students, not just undergraduates. No matter where you are in your career journey, our professional team can offer you help and advice in achieving your goals.

The Careers service is based on the ground floor of the Carrington building and offers support in the form of one-on-one careers appointments, workshops, advice sessions and recruitment events. Read more about how the University's Careers service can help you during your studies and beyond by visiting their webpages.

Our well equipped Library provides access to thousands of print and digital resources, including a wide range of e-books, e-journals and key primary and secondary source databases. It also offers a mixture of bookable study spaces, computing facilities and study support. 

• Information for new Library users 
• Information for international students: More specific information for international students about how the Library can help 
• Subject guides: Written by Academic Liaison Librarians, these guides will help you to explore key resources in your subject area.
• Library services: Find out what services are available from the Library and how they are being delivered
• Taught postgraduates: Expert guidance from our Study Advice team

Our research excellence is supported by state-of-the-art major research facilities, and you can be confident that the University invests in developing and improving its physical and online facilities. Over the past decade, we have invested over £400 million in a range of excellent facilities to support and enhance your academic and research experience. Read more about our wide range of research facilities.

Postgraduate Loan 

if you choose to take out a Postgraduate Loan you will not have to pay any tuition fees when you enrol. You will be asked to pay your tuition fees in three separate instalments and these payments must be made by the end of the month in which you receive each instalment from your Student Finance Authority.

For more information about the New Postgraduate Loan scheme visit the Government website. Make sure to check the criteria for eligibility. Whether you will qualify will depend upon your course, age and nationality or residency status.

The International Student Advisory Team are able to advise you on all aspects of being an international student in the UK. They can provide professional and confidential support with a range of issues, including:

• Helping you (and your family if applicable) settle in the UK when you arrive
• Understanding the UK culture and developing integration skills
• Providing information about the local area and places of interest
• General advice and signposting to what is available at the University to enable you to make the most of your time here.

They also run events throughout the year aimed at helping international students to make the most of their experience studying in the UK.

Become a School Rep

School Reps ensure that the student voice is being heard by giving student feedback to the University and sitting on the School Board for Teaching and Learning.  

Becoming a School Rep is a rewarding experience that can help you to develop your transferable skills and boost your CV while helping to make positive changes across the University.  

To find out more about the role of the School Rep, visit the RUSUwebpages.

Clubs and societies

Reading University Students' Union (RUSU) has a wide range of clubs and societies that are a great way to make friends, meet like-minded people and learn something new. With over 100 clubs and societies on offer, you're sure to find something you enjoy. Find out more about student-led societies and how you can get involved here.

Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to help others while gaining valuable skills and experience to compliment your CV. If you're interested in volunteering during your time at university, take a look at some local volunteering opportunities or find out how to you can find the perfect volunteering opportunity for you as part of a student-led volunteering project with RUSU.

Learn a language

The University offers Institution Wide Language Programmes (IWLP) to everyone within the University community. There are ten different languages on offer including French, Arabic, Japanese and British Sign Language (BSL). Find out more about learning a language alongside your studies on our "Learn another language" page on Essentials. 

There is a range of support available to students bringing their families to Reading. 

Accommodation for couples and families

If you are looking for accommodation, the University has a range of accommodation suitable for for couples and families. More information can be found on our Accommodation pages. Please note that demand for accommodation is high, so you should apply as soon as you can through the Me@Reading Applicant Portal.

If you are looking for private accommodation in the local area, RUSU have compiled a list of letting agents, and can offer advice on a range of topics including housing law, contracts and your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. See the RUSU Housing Advice webpages for more information.

On-campus childcare

Little Learners is an Ofsted-registered nursery that offers childcare exclusively to students and staff of the University. The nursery has 94 places for children aged from three months to five years.

The Little Owl Preschool is also based on campus and offers children a safe and happy place to play, learn and develop before going on to meet the demands of school.

Both the nursery and preschool are very popular with students and there may be a waiting list for a place. You should contact the option that you are interested in as soon as you have accepted your offer to discuss securing a place for your child.

Completing your postgraduate programme may bring challenges at times. The University is here to support you, and there are a range of services available to help you make the most of your experience. 

Support Centres are your first port of call for all questions, help or advice throughout your time at Reading. They are staffed by Student Support Coordinators who are able to advise you on a range of academic and non-academic issues. Visit the Support Centres page for more information.

Academic support 

• Your Academic Tutor: All undergraduate and postgraduate taught students are allocated an Academic Tutor - a member of academic staff in your School or Department who acts as a key point of contact throughout your degree. Academic Tutors work in partnership with students and the University’s wider support services to support your academic, personal and professional development. Find out more about the role of your Academic Tutor and how they can help you.

• Study Advice service: The Study Advice service works with students at all levels of study to help them develop more effective practices for studying, overcome specific challenges and take your skills to the next level. They offer guidance in the form of bookable one-on-one sessions, seminars, online study guides and more. Find out more about how Study Advice can help you.

• Developing your English language skills: If English is not your first language, the University's International Study and Language Institute has a range of courses to help you maintain, improve and develop your academic English.

• Modules: You are required to study 180 credits worth of modules (120 credits for PGDip, 60 credits for PGCert). During Welcome Week, you'll have an opportunity to discuss your Master's degree programme and module selections (if applicable) with your School or Department. 

Personal wellbeing

• Counselling and Wellbeing service: Based in the Carrington building, this free service is available to all students at the University. Our multidisciplinary team of qualified counsellors, social workers and mental health nurses are able to give advice and support with a wide range of issues, and are always happy to help. To find out more about the service and how to make an appointment, please view the "Counselling & Wellbeing" pages on Essentials.

• RUSU Advice service: Available to all students, the RUSU Advice service can give guidance and support in many areas including housing, personal welfare and financial matters. The RUSU Advisers run drop-in sessions where no appointment is needed. To find out more, visit the RUSU website.

• Disability Advisory service: The University of Reading welcomes disabled students and has a dedicated Disability Advisory Service. The service offers advice and guidance to students with any disability, mental health condition, or specific learning difficulty (SpLD). The service can help you in a number of ways, including arranging non-medical helpers, liaising with the exams office to make special exam arrangements and referral to other services. Find out more about the Disability Advisory service and how they can help on their webpages on Essentials.

• International Student Advisory team: This is a dedicated service aimed at providing advice and support to international students during their time at university. The team can provide support and guidance with a wide range of issues such as visas and immigration, bringing your family to the UK, and information about the local area. They run regular events aimed at helping international students to network and settle in to life in the UK. Find out more about the team.