University of Reading
A parkland campus university in the Thames Valley, home to the UK's only dedicated meteorology department and Henley Business School.
- Students
- 21,370
- 14,125 undergraduates
- International
- 31%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 16:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- £26,850
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1892
About Reading
The University of Reading grew out of Schools of Science and Art set up after the Great Exhibition of 1851 and an Oxford University extension college; the two merged in 1892 to form Reading College, which became University College Reading in 1902 and received its royal charter as a university in 1926. Edith Morley, who joined in 1901 and became Professor of English Language in 1908, was England's first female professor.
Today more than 27,000 students from 147 countries study with Reading, most of them on the Whiteknights campus, a parkland site with a lake, meadows and woodland that has won a Green Flag Award for 16 consecutive years. The university also has the London Road campus in town, the Greenlands campus on the Thames (part of Henley Business School) and a campus in Malaysia.
Reading is best known for environmental and climate science: it has the UK's only dedicated meteorology department, where Professor Ed Hawkins created the climate stripes graphic. It suits students who want a green campus within easy reach of London and typical offers that are more accessible than many research universities, from BBB (History, English Literature) to AAB (Law, Psychology).
Why students choose Reading
BSc Meteorology and Climate is taught in the UK's only dedicated meteorology department, ranked 9th in the world for Atmospheric Science (ShanghaiRanking GRAS 2026).
Reading makes contextual offers for all its courses and can include an EPQ in a formal offer.
The Whiteknights campus has won a Green Flag Award for 16 consecutive years, and Reading is 4th in the People and Planet University League 2025/26.
New undergraduates who firm Reading and apply for halls by 1 August are guaranteed a place in university accommodation.
Admissions
2027 entry
Selectivity
Reading does not publish an overall offer rate. Typical offers for 2027 entry range from BBB (History, English Literature) to AAB (Law, Psychology), and contextual offers are made for all courses.
Typical entry requirements
| A-levels | Course-specific typical offers for 2027 entry: AAB (Law, Psychology with some preference for sciences); ABB (Computer Science, Economics with Maths preferred, Pharmacy with B in Chemistry and another science, Meteorology and Climate with B in Maths); BBB (History with a humanities essay subject, English Literature with B in English Literature or a related subject) |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | Course-specific: 34 points (Law, Psychology); 32 points (Computer Science; Economics with 5 in SL Maths; Pharmacy with 5 in HL Chemistry and another HL science; Meteorology with 5 in HL Maths); 30 points (History, English Literature with 5 in the relevant HL subject) |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 IELTS 6.5 with no component below 5.5 for most courses checked (Law, Computer Science, Economics, Psychology, English Literature, Meteorology); Pharmacy asks for 6.5 with no component below 6.0, and History for IELTS 7.0 with no component below 6.0. |
Deadlines
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
Applies to all Reading undergraduate courses; Reading does not offer medicine, dentistry or veterinary degrees with the 15 October deadline.
Reading says most undergraduate courses have a January UCAS deadline and points applicants to UCAS for exact dates; the 13 January 2027 date is from UCAS.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS (institution code R12, no campus code) with up to five choices, a personal statement and a reference. International Foundation Programme and integrated International Foundation Year applicants apply directly through Reading's online application service.
What admissions looks for
- Grades that meet the typical offer and any subject requirements, such as Mathematics for Meteorology or Chemistry for Pharmacy.
- A personal statement explaining why you want to study the course and what interests, skills and experience show your passion for the subject.
- Your context: Reading makes contextual offers for all its courses.
- Wider preparation such as the Extended Project Qualification, which can be included in a formal offer.
Tips for applying to Reading
- 1 If you are taking an EPQ, mention it: Reading can include it as part of a formal offer.
- 2 For Meteorology and Climate, A-level Mathematics at grade B or above is essential; Further Maths is only accepted alongside A-level Maths.
- 3 History asks for a higher English score (IELTS 7.0, no component below 6.0) than most Reading courses.
- 4 Make Reading your firm choice and apply for accommodation by 1 August to be guaranteed a room in halls.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in GBP
Reading's undergraduate scholarships include the Global Sustainability Leaders Scholarship (£6,000 a year for up to four years towards living costs) and Sanctuary Scholarships (for 2026 entry, £5,000 a year for students with refugee or similar status, or a fee waiver plus £14,200 a year for asylum seekers with an outstanding claim; 2027 details not yet published). International students progressing from the International Foundation Programme can receive further scholarships and discounts.
- £6,000 a year for up to four years
- Global Sustainability Leaders Scholarship
- £5,000 a year, or fee waiver plus £14,200 a year for asylum seekers (2026 entry)
- Sanctuary Scholarship
- £5,000 tuition fee reduction
- International Foundation Excellence Scholarship
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Meteorology and Climate (BSc)
Taught in the UK's only dedicated meteorology department with its own atmospheric observatory; approved by the Royal Meteorological Society.
Law (LLB)
Based in Foxhill House, with mooting, negotiation and client interviewing competitions and one of the largest pro bono programmes; AAB.
Pharmacy (MPharm)
Accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council, with placements in hospital, community pharmacy and GP settings; ABB.
Psychology (BSc)
Accredited by the British Psychological Society for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership; AAB.
Computer Science (BSc)
ABB with no specific A-level subjects required.
Business degrees at Henley Business School
Reading's business school, formed in 2008 by merging with Henley Management College.
Research
- Reading is 3rd in the UK for research power in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences (THE analysis of REF 2021).
- Professor Ed Hawkins of the meteorology department designed the climate stripes visualisation of global warming.
- Research is organised around four themes: agriculture, food and health; environment; heritage and creativity; and prosperity and resilience.
- The university is 91st in the world and 14th in the UK in THE's Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026.
Schools & faculties
- Henley Business School
- School of Law
- Department of Meteorology
Student life
Most Reading students live and study on Whiteknights, a parkland campus with a lake, meadows and woodland that has held a Green Flag Award for 16 years running. University halls are in or near the campus, from standard rooms to en suites and townhouses, with 40-week contracts and some catered options through meal plans. The university runs four museums, including the Museum of English Rural Life, and the Reading Students' Union helps with private housing after first year.
- Whiteknights has won a Green Flag Award for 16 consecutive years.
- Reading is 4th in the UK in the People and Planet University League 2025/26.
- The university's museums include the Museum of English Rural Life.
- Reading rowers include Olympic champions James Cracknell and Anna Watkins.
Housing. New full-time undergraduates are guaranteed a place in halls if they hold Reading as their firm UCAS choice, apply for accommodation by 1 August and meet their offer conditions by early September; insurance-choice students who apply by the late-August deadline are also guaranteed a room.
Location
Reading is a large town in Berkshire in the Thames Valley, west of London. Whiteknights campus sits on the edge of the town, with the London Road campus closer to the centre and the Greenlands campus on the banks of the Thames in Buckinghamshire. Reading is one of Berkshire's biggest employers.
Nearest airport: London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Notable alumni
- JC James CracknellRower; Olympic gold medallist in the coxless four in 2000 and 2004
- AW Anna WatkinsRower; Olympic gold medallist in the double sculls in 2012
- JC Jamie CullumJazz pianist and singer
- MR Michael RosenChildren's author, poet and broadcaster
- JB Julian BarrattComedian known for The Mighty Boosh
- NK Nicky KinnairdFounder of cosmetics retailer Space NK
- NS Noel StockdaleCo-founder of Asda
- LT Laura TobinTelevision weather presenter
Frequently asked questions
What grades do you need for the University of Reading?
Typical 2027 offers range from BBB (e.g. History, English Literature) through ABB (Computer Science, Economics, Pharmacy, Meteorology) to AAB (Law, Psychology), or 30 to 34 IB points. Contextual offers are made for all courses.
How much are tuition fees at Reading for 2027 entry?
Home students pay £10,050. International students pay £26,850 for courses such as Law, Economics and History, or £31,800 for courses such as Computer Science, Psychology and Pharmacy.
What is Reading's application deadline for 2027 entry?
13 January 2027 via UCAS (institution code R12). Reading has no courses with the 15 October deadline.
Is Reading good for meteorology?
Yes. Reading has the UK's only dedicated meteorology department, is 9th in the world for Atmospheric Science in the ShanghaiRanking 2026 subject rankings, and its BSc Meteorology and Climate is approved by the Royal Meteorological Society.
Does Reading guarantee accommodation for first-years?
Yes. New full-time undergraduates who make Reading their firm choice, apply for accommodation by 1 August and meet their offer conditions are guaranteed a place in halls.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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