Lori Meadows
The University of Reading is a public research university in Reading, Berkshire, England. It was founded in 1892 as University College, Reading, a University of Oxford extension college. The university has four major campuses in the United Kingdom and one in Iskandar Puteri, Malaysia. The University of Reading is home to over 23,000 students from around 160 countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of students | 17,000-25,000 |
| Number of students by 2023 | 23,000 |
| Number of students from other countries | Over 150 |
| Number of countries represented | 160 |
| Number of undergraduate students by 2023 | 5,037 |
What You'll Learn
The University of Reading's student population
The University of Reading is an international community with a student population of over 25,000, including students from around 160 countries. The university has three campuses, with the main Whiteknights campus set in 130 hectares of parkland. The university offers over 250 degree programmes, with courses spanning the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences.
The university's student union, the Reading University Students' Union (RUSU), is an independent, student-run organisation that aims to enhance the student experience. RUSU provides advice and support on a range of issues, offers volunteering and job opportunities, and runs over 150 sports clubs and societies. The union also has a selection of retail outlets, cafes, bars, and a nightclub on campus.
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The University of Reading's campuses
The University of Reading has three campuses in the UK: Whiteknights, London Road, and Greenlands. It also has campuses in Malaysia and Johannesburg, and is a partner in the NUIST-University of Reading Academy in China.
Whiteknights Campus
The Whiteknights Campus is the University of Reading's largest campus, covering 321 acres. It includes Whiteknights Lake, conservation meadows, and woodlands, and most of the university's departments are based here. The campus is named after the 13th-century knight John De Erleigh IV, or the 'White Knight', and was landscaped in the 18th century by the Marquis of Blandford. The main university library, in the middle of the campus, holds nearly a million books and subscribes to around 4,000 periodicals. The URS building is a Grade II-listed concrete brutalist structure designed by Howell, Killick, Partridge & Amis in the 1970s. The Whiteknights campus was voted one of the best green spaces in the United Kingdom for seven consecutive years in the Green Flag People's Choice awards.
London Road Campus
The London Road Campus is the original site of the University of Reading and is located closer to the town centre, across from the Royal Berkshire Hospital. The Institute of Education, a major provider of teacher training in the UK, is based at this campus. The London Road site also hosts the university's graduation ceremonies twice a year, in the Great Hall. In 2009, the campus underwent a £30 million renovation.
Greenlands Campus
The Greenlands Campus is located on the banks of the River Thames in Buckinghamshire. It was formerly the home of William Henry Smith, son of the founder of WH Smith, and was the site of the Henley Management College before it merged with the University of Reading's Business School to form the Henley Business School in 2008. The Greenlands Campus is home to the Henley Business School's MBA and corporate learning offerings, while undergraduate and other postgraduate courses are based at Whiteknights.
Malaysia Campus
The University of Reading's first overseas campus was established in Malaysia in 2015. The campus is located in Iskandar Puteri and offers a range of professional programmes at foundation, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels, including the Henley Business School MBA.
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The University of Reading's history
The University of Reading has a rich history that dates back to the 19th century. Here is a detailed account of the university's history:
Origins and Early Years
The University of Reading traces its origins to the Schools of Art and Science established in Reading in 1860 and 1870, respectively. In 1882, these schools merged and formed a miniature technical college. University education came to Reading in 1885 with the establishment of an Oxford University 'extension unit'. In 1892, the extension college merged with the Schools of Science and Art to form Reading College, marking the beginning of the University of Reading. The college was led by its first principal, geographer Halford Mackinder.
Expansion and Development
The college expanded its range of subjects and, with support from generous benefactors like the Palmer family, it secured a new campus on London Road. This marked the beginning of the drive towards achieving separate university status. In 1901, the college received its first treasury grant, and in 1908, it opened Wantage Hall, with the support of Lord and Lady Wantage. The college continued to grow, and in 1926, it was incorporated as a university "for the public benefit to advance education, learning and research."
World War Impact
The University of Reading experienced challenges during the First and Second World Wars, with 144 of its members losing their lives in the First World War. Despite the crises, the university persevered and continued its pursuit of separate university status. The Second World War also saw buildings taken into military use, complicating the university's operations.
Post-War Growth and Achievements
After the Second World War, the University of Reading purchased Whiteknights Park, an historic parkland, which became its principal campus and facilitated massive growth. In 1947, the university acquired Whiteknights Park, which provided ample space for expansion. The university continued to grow and enhance its academic offerings, with the merger of Bulmershe College in 1965, bringing a new campus for education and theatre studies. The university also established a strong reputation in various academic fields, including agriculture, art, and meteorology.
Recent Developments
In more recent times, the University of Reading has continued to evolve and adapt to changing needs. In 2006, the university faced controversy over the proposed closure of its Physics Department due to financial reasons, sparking debates in Parliament. The university has also undergone restructuring, reorganising its academic schools into three faculties. In 2016, the university faced student protests over a proposed reorganisation of its structure. Despite challenges, the University of Reading remains committed to excellence in higher education and has established itself as a global institution with a presence in Malaysia and partnerships worldwide.
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The University of Reading's courses
The University of Reading has a wide range of courses for students to choose from. With over 150 years of history, the university is recognised for its expertise in areas such as climate science, business, agriculture, and food science. The university supports undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students in maintaining, improving, and developing their academic English.
The University of Reading offers courses in various fields, including:
- Building and Surveying
- Construction Management
- Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
- International Foundation Programme (IFP)
- International Relations
- Politics and International Relations
- Surveying and Construction
- Business (Post-Experience)
- English Language and Applied Linguistics
- Architectural Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Bioveterinary Sciences
- Business and Management
- Classics and Classical Studies
- Foundation Programmes
- Graphic Communication and Design
- International Development
- Languages and Cultures
- Meteorology and Climate
- Physician Associate Studies
- Real Estate and Planning
- Speech and Language Therapy
- Theatre and Performance
- Wildlife Conservation
The University of Reading also offers integrated master's courses, postgraduate research, and online courses for self-enrolment through the International Study and Language Institute. The university has a global presence, with two overseas campuses in Malaysia and South Africa and dozens of international partnerships.
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The University of Reading's reputation
The University of Reading is a public research university with a strong reputation in several areas. With over 90 years of history, it has been at the forefront of UK higher education, pushing academic boundaries and leading social change. The university is committed to creating a stronger and better institution, guided by four key principles: a genuine love of learning, a drive to create new knowledge, a celebration of diversity, and caring for the environment.
Research Excellence
The University of Reading has a reputation for multidisciplinary research and collaborations. It comprises over 50 research centres of excellence in areas such as agriculture, meteorology, physical sciences, and European history and culture. In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, an impressive 98% of Reading's research was rated as being of international standing, with 78% labelled as 'internationally excellent' and 27% as 'world-leading'. The university is also a leading contributor to climate science, with its Professor Ed Hawkins MBE creating the world-famous Climate Stripes.
Awards and Rankings
The University of Reading has received numerous awards and accolades over the years. It was ranked 201st-250th in the world and 26th in the UK by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025. It is also 172nd in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and 35th in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2025. The university has been awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize, the highest honour for a UK higher education institution, on five separate occasions.
Global Presence and Partnerships
The University of Reading has a strong global presence, with international partnerships and campuses worldwide. It has a business school in Johannesburg and an overseas campus in Malaysia—the first of its kind, established in 2015—and a joint academy with Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology in China. The university also has dozens of international partnerships, offering students various study abroad opportunities.
Student Life and Experience
The University of Reading offers a welcoming and inclusive environment for its diverse student body. It provides a wide range of courses, from pure and applied sciences to languages, humanities, social sciences, business, and the arts. The university is dedicated to staying at the forefront of teaching and learning developments, continuously investing in first-class facilities, and offering a variety of events and activities for students. Reading's main Whiteknights campus, set in award-winning parkland, offers a range of amenities and a vibrant student life.
Alumni and Notable Figures
The University of Reading has produced notable alumni and has been associated with several distinguished figures. Penny Mordaunt, the former MP for Portsmouth North, served as the president of the Students' Union in 1994-95. The university has also been home to eminent academics and scholars, such as Gustav Holst, a former lecturer in Music, and Edith Morley, the first woman appointed to a chair at a British university-level institution in 1908.
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Frequently asked questions
The University of Reading is home to more than 23,000 students from over 150 countries.
In 2023, over 5,000 new students were accepted to begin undergraduate studies at the University of Reading.
While the exact number of postgraduate students is unclear, the University of Reading offers a wide range of master's and doctoral programmes.
Since 2016, the University of Reading has been organised into 16 academic schools, but the specific student numbers for each school are not readily available.
The University of Reading provides a range of support services, including academic tutoring, mental health services, and career counselling, to ensure that students can thrive during their time on campus.
