Academic support

Our teaching and support staff are all approachable, friendly and passionate about helping you reach your full potential. We offer a wide range of additional services and opportunities to support you in your studies and help you to develop and excel.

Our academic services include Personal Tutors, Study Advisers, maths and English language support, librarians to help you find your your way round and get the materials you need, and online study guides and video tutorials that you can read before you even arrive at the University.

All our tutors, lecturers, advisers and support staff are always happy to answer any questions. At Reading, we have an open-door approach.

Access whenever you need it

Our Library has been open 24 hours a day since March 2014.

The Library gives you access to:

more than 1 million books
a fully equipped IT suite
group discussion spaces
quiet and silent areas.

The Library goes beyond Google and gives our students free 24/7 online access to academic resources including around 35,000 ejournals, 300,000 ebooks and 200 databases.

For more information of what's on offer, please visit the Library website.

More than just books

Tutor and students in white coats and hair nets standing in a laboratory

Academic Tutors

When you arrive at the University of Reading, you will be allocated a member of academic staff as your Academic Tutor.

You will have the same Academic Tutor for the duration of your degree and they will become one of the most important people in your student life. Your Academic Tutor will help you settle into Reading and help you to make the most of your time here. You will meet on a regular basis to reflect on your progress and develop your Personal Development Plan.

Your Academic Tutor will write reports and references for future academic or career choices so do keep them up to date with all your skills and achievements.

One-to-one support and guidance

"Life Tools" talks: for university and beyond

"Life Tools" talks are designed to enhance your personal wellbeing and equip you with a range of abilities and skills which will complement your personal and academic skills.

The "Life Tools" programme covers three main areas: Academic tools, Resilience tools and Personal development tools. The talks are free to attend and open to all students.

RUSU Academic Advice

RUSU boasts a large advice service, with a team of advisers specialising in providing academic advice.

You don't need an appointment

Academic English support and development

If English is not your first language there is lots of free support and development available.

The Academic English Programme (AEP) enables international and EU students at the University of Reading to develop their academic English skills. We’ll support you through the challenges of your studies, and we’ll develop your academic English skills to help you achieve your full potential. The programme is free to all fee-paying students from all departments and at any stage of study.

Academic English Programme

Student volunteering to help A Level maths students

Study Advice Service

Based in the library, the Study Advice team help students to develop more effective ways of studying.

Study Advisers can help you with essay skills, referencing and maths. The service is not just for those that struggle but for all students who want to work more effectively and increase their grades.

Study Advisers will equip you with the necessary tools and practices to help you fulfil your academic potential and succeed.

For more information please visit the Study Advice Service website.

Helping you to study

IT Services

When you arrive at the University you will receive your own individual University email address and access to our virtual learning environment called Blackboard.

More than just a help desk