University of Reading

STUDENT LIFE AT READING

We have two campuses in Reading. Our main campus, Whiteknights, is the real hub of University of Reading life, offering plenty of places to eat, shop, study and socialise. The campus is a thriving community and features the students’ union, the Library, fantastic study areas, two on-site museums, shops and a nightclub run by the Students’ Union. A short walk down the road, closer to town, is our smaller London Road campus - home to our Institute of Education and School of Architecture. Our students love the more relaxed pace of life there and the beautiful buildings and green space it offers.

Our facilities

The facilities on Whiteknights campus include our Students’ Union - home to the onsite 360 events space, Korean food store, hairdresser, bubble tea bar, printing service and The BagelMan, a favourite of our students. The SportsPark, just by the campus entrance, features a well-equipped gym, plus air-conditioned fitness studios and a sports hall for volleyball and badminton. Our impressive tennis dome, with three indoor courts, adds to the 5 outdoor courts alongside it. We also have a range of synthetic and grass-based pitches if you’re interested in playing rugby, hockey, football or lacrosse.

Following a £40m refurbishment, our impressive university library in the centre of the Whiteknights campus features 24-hour, term-time access (except Saturday nights) to a wide variety of study spaces, access to more than one million books and a fully equipped computer suite with online access to thousands of e-journals, academic e-books and databases. Our library staff are on-hand to help you navigate your way to the resources you need for your studies.

Students’ union

Reading Students’ Union is an independent organisation, run by students, for students. It aims to help you make the most of your student experience and, while at Reading, you’re automatically a member. Reading Students’ Union provides facilities, entertainment and opportunities for students, and works to create positive change.

Reading town

Just a short walk or bus ride from our campuses, Reading offers a welcoming and vibrant multicultural town and a hub for innovation, culture, creativity, and technology.

Sitting on the doorstep of, arguably, one of the greatest capital cities in the world, Reading boasts a huge variety of restaurants, bars and parks, along with arts and cultural spaces and events. At the weekend, you can watch professional football at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, go shopping at The Oracle shopping centre, or explore a range of independent shops. Entertainment is easily found to suit a range of budgets. Whether you’re having fun with your housemates in the clubs and bars, going to a gig or the renowned Reading Festival, watching a film at one of the nearby multi-plex cinemas, or prefer an evening by the riverside, you might be surprised by just how much Reading has to offer.

There is no shortage of places to unwind in Reading either. Relax with your friends in the many parks or take in the leafy riverside walks. The river Thames flows through the centre of town, close to the Victorian Forbury Gardens and the Abbey Ruins. Go for a hike along the Thames Path or take a trip to a nearby National Trust property or local heritage site. There really is something for everyone here.

If sport is more your thing, Reading has no shortage there either. From the nearby water sports and climbing centres to rowing on the Thames, gyms, horse riding, swimming, golf, cycling, cricket, football and rugby, the list goes on and all topped off with a massage at the Thames Lido.

Reading is also home to the headquarters of international businesses, such as Microsoft and Oracle, in addition to the exciting new film studios, built on University land and which are bringing Hollywood directors to our doorstop. Reading is a place to make connections and develop your career, whatever your chosen field. That’s why thousands of our graduates now call Reading home.

Central location

From the main Whiteknights campus, it takes around 20 minutes by bus or ten minutes by bike to reach the town centre. Reading is well equipped with cycle parking areas and cycle lanes and the reliable 21 bus service direct from campus to town and vice versa, including a night bus.

Support Services

It’s easy to say that your welfare is important to us, but for Reading it really is. Just ask our students. We offer a wide range of support services that you can rely on, no matter how big or small your questions are. Our Counselling and Wellbeing Teams, offer one-to-one and group sessions, financial support, a Chaplaincy with signposting service for all faiths, a childcare facility, a disability advisory service, and a university medical practice. So, if something isn’t going to plan or you’re unsure how to deal with a situation, we’ve got the right people to help you. You’ll also be assigned an Academic Tutor who will get to you know you and you’ll meet with regularly to make sure things are going ok with your studies and life in general.