University of Reading

The University of Reading is a research-intensive campus university in south-east England, close to both London and Heathrow airport. With more than 150 years of history, it's now recognised for its expertise in areas such as climate science, business, agriculture, and food science. It also has a global presence, with two overseas campuses and dozens of international partnerships.

For the third consecutive year, the University of Reading has been placed among the world's top 200 universities, at 194, in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and is ranked 27 in the UK. Sustainability is a high priority at the University of Reading and there has been an improvement in rank in this area, to joint 42^nd globally. In two years, the University has risen a total of 147 places in the global sustainability ranking.

The university has over 5,000 international students. A strong sense of community is fostered through clubs and societies, an impressive selection of sports and leisure facilities, and an extensive range of support services that begin with pre-arrival and welcome events and extend throughout the time spent studying.

Students can choose from approximately 500 undergraduate and postgraduate courses, and 98 percent of the research conducted at the institution has been internationally recognised (REF 2021). The university strives to be at the cutting-edge of advances in teaching and learning, encouraging a collaborative and innovative environment. To help with funding and in recognition of academic achievement, Reading offers a comprehensive scholarships programme for students at all levels.

More than GBP 500 million has been invested in the campus over recent years, focusing on facilities across the site - from research and teaching space to accommodation and recreation.

The University of Reading is committed to attracting the brightest minds, providing an environment that pushes back the boundaries of knowledge and in which everyone is given the opportunity to flourish.

The University of Reading is dedicated to staying at the forefront of teaching and learning developments. It strives to inspire innovative and creative approaches to teaching and learning by working in partnership with staff and with the student community.

According to the latest QS World University rankings 2025, Reading is ranked:

• 1^st in UK for Agriculture
• 10^th in UK for Earth and Marine Science
• 12^th in UK for Archaeology
• 21^st in UK for Arts and Humanities
• Global top 100 for Development Studies

The majority of courses at Reading have a modular structure, so students can specialise in the areas that interest them most while developing core subject knowledge. All undergraduate courses offer a placement opportunity, either as a mandatory or optional part of the course, to ensure that students build the skills and confidence they need to thrive in their future careers.

The university organises its research into the themes of agriculture, food and health; environment; heritage and creativity; and prosperity and resilience. Reading's research themes are designed to overlap and allow for open-ended collaboration, driving impactful research based on curiosity and innovation. The university has 35 research divisions within these themes.

Academic expertise is focused within a collection of schools, most of which will have several departments. The schools at the University of Reading are:

• Agriculture, Policy and Development
• Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science
• Arts and Communication Design
• Biological Science
• Built Environment
• Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy
• Graduate School (for doctoral research)
• Henley Business School
• Humanities
• Institute of Education
• International Study and Language Institute (Exchanges, Foundation level studies and pre-sessional English)
• Law
• Literature and Languages
• Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences
• Politics, Economics and International Relations
• Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences

The University of Reading's main campus is Whiteknights, a thriving student hub that is home to flexible study areas, shops, amenities, two museums, and the university's students' union. Set in 120 hectares of breathtaking parkland, the scenic Whiteknights campus is home to a lake, botanical garden and woodland that students can enjoy all year round. The site has received 15 consecutive Green Flag awards, recognising it as one of Britain's top green spaces.

In addition to a range of state-of-the-art lecture theatres, studio spaces, labs and seminar rooms, Whiteknights is home to a library with a collection of over 100,000 items, the International Capital Market Association Centre's simulation trading floor, the Cole Museum of Zoology, and the Ure Museum of Greek Architecture. Whiteknights also has a sports park with a range of facilities that include fitness studios, a gym, a sports hall, playing fields, and eight tennis courts.

Subject specific facilities for architecture and education students are available at the university's historic London Road campus, and Henley Business School's Greenlands campus has a specialist library and cutting-edge teaching facilities for finance, accounting and business students. The university also has a campus in Malaysia, and Henley Business School has further campus locations in Finland, Germany, Malta and South Africa.

Reading provides an array of supportive university managed accommodation options that are designed to suit individual preferences and requirements. University managed accommodation is available at Reading to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Rooms range from GBP 158.06 to 295.00 per week for the 2025/26 academic year, with a choice of standard, upgraded, premium, townhouse, and en-suite options available. Accommodation at Reading is located either on or close to the university's main Whiteknights campus and rent includes all utilities, high speed Wi-Fi, and basic contents insurance.

Undergraduate entry requirements

The university encourages applications from students with qualifications such as A-Levels, International Baccalaureates, and a number of international secondary level certificates.

International students looking to undertake a degree programme and needing some preliminary studies can register for the University of Reading International Foundation Programme (IFP) or a Pre-sessional English course. With over 30 years of experience, the IFP gives students the highest quality preparation for undergraduate studies.

There is also an option to join an integrated four-year degree programmes with foundation year, which combines a foundation year (Year 0) with a chosen three-year undergraduate degree. This enables students to apply for a single four-year visa that covers the whole duration of their studies.

Postgraduate entry requirements

For entry to postgraduate programmes, prospective master's students are normally required to have a good undergraduate (bachelor's) degree, or equivalent. Doctoral programme (PhD) applications usually require a master's degree and students will need to submit a research proposal, unless applying for a specific research project.

English language requirements

Evidence of English language proficiency may be necessary for students who do not speak English as a first language. The IELTS test is the most commonly accepted test at the university, however a number of other qualifications are also recognised. Requirements for admission, based on IELTS scores, are usually between 6.5, although some linguistically demanding courses will require a higher score. Year-round pre-sessional English courses (PSE) provided through university's International Study and Language Institute are an excellent way for students to improve their English, with courses ranging from a few weeks to a whole year, depending on need.

The University of Reading has a wide range of scholarships for international students at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. The opportunities for funding may be country or course specific but there is some element of financial aid available to all international students. The following is a selection of scholarships and bursaries on offer:

• Chevening Scholarships
• Global Sustainability Leadership Scholarship
• Subject-specific and Excellence Scholarships
• British Council- University of Reading GREAT Scholarships
• Felix Scholarships
• International Research Studentships
• Henley Business School Scholarships
• Rotary Graduate Scholarship – Environmental Programme
• IFP Scholarships and Discounts

The University of Reading and the UK government global scholarship programme, Chevening, have collaborated for 20 years to provide students with master's degree funding. With almost 500 Chevening scholars welcomed to Reading so far, this award covers the full cost of tuition and provides a grant to cover living expenses.

The Global Sustainability Leadership Scholarship scheme is focused on creating a community of global sustainability leaders of the future. Up to 400 scholarships are available per year, for high-achieving students, to cover maintenance and living costs.

Most university scholarships are partial awards that pay a contribution towards the cost of tuition. There can be multiple scholarships on offer, and it is possible to be selected for more than one scholarship. There are also International Research Studentships available, which are scholarships aimed at highly qualified PhD applicants across the science, life sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities disciplines.

There are also more than 100 scholarships available annually from the internationally renowned Henley Business School. These awards offer partial or full coverage of tuition costs. More information can be found on the international scholarships webpages.

Pre-arrival and welcome

The university provides pre-departure webinars to provide students with step-by-step guidance before arriving in the UK. It also offers 1-2-1 virtual meetings with regional managers within the international office so students can ask any questions they have.

For new students arriving in the autumn, Reading hosts a "Welcome Week" which offers university-organised social events, academic welcome sessions and tours of Reading. Students can also expect to receive maps of the town, guidance on opening a bank account and details of students' union events, societies and lots more.

Supporting students

The university has a dedicated team of trained immigration advisers on campus to provide specialist advice on visas, including working during or after studies and students can also access dedicated support from a student adviser. The students' union advice services can also help with personal, social, academic, financial and welfare matters.

Reading's award winning careers service, voted 6th best university for work experience in the UK by Rate My Placement 2025-2026, is dedicated to supporting students' career planning and development. Its services, opportunities and events are available for students and alumni up to 24 months after graduation so that students can benefit from:

• One-to-one support and advice sessions with an experienced careers consultant
• Workshops and events to connect students with employers and recruiters
• Help with applying for jobs or graduate roles, including help producing CVs and preparing for interviews

The Reading Experience and Development (RED) Award, the official University of Reading employability skills certificate, was created to help make the most of the extra-curricular activities and experiences on offer. University of Reading students can also gain invaluable work experience through securing placements and internships while studying. Placement opportunities range from a few weeks to a full year.

University of Reading remains among the world's top 200 universities

For the second consecutive year, the University of Reading has been placed among the world's top 200 universities, at 194, in the QS World University Rankings 2026. The university is ranked 27 in the UK, and has also retained its standing in the top 13 percent of universities, worldwide.

Sustainability is a high priority at the University of Reading and there has been a significant improvement in rank in this area, to joint 42 in the world. In two years, the university has risen a total of 147 places in the global sustainability ranking Reading also achieved high ranking in global engagement, with particularly strong scores for the university's academic reputation, international faculty, and international research network.

Sustainable University of the Year 2025

Recently awarded Sustainable University of the Year 2025 in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025, the University is proudly committed to tackling climate change and promoting environmental sustainability. Our support for sustainable global development has also been recognised by the Times Higher Education. In their Impact Rankings 2025, the University ranked in the top 50 universities worldwide.

More than a third of all energy used on campus is low carbon, with 100% of all electricity coming from renewable sources. The university's major investments on campus will improve solar generation, make heating buildings more efficient, and add energy-efficient equipment in labs and catering outlets. Students can find out more on the Partnering for the planet website.

The University of Reading is proud to be a world leader in climate science. Students can discover the latest science and the university's work with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), find out what positive actions they can take, and help transform how young people learn about climate change through better climate education in schools and colleges.