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Welcoming students to Reading

The School of the Built Environment at the University of Reading comprises the School of Architecture and the School of Construction Management and Engineering. It is internationally renowned for its research and education relating to the design, construction and operation of the buildings and places within which we live, work and play.

We're ranked 6th in the UK for research power in Architecture, Built Environment and Planning (Times Higher Education, Institutions Ranked by Subject, based on its analysis of the latest REF 2021).

By choosing to study with us, you’ll join an interdisciplinary centre of excellence united in making the built environment work better for society, addressing issues such as quality of life, sustainability of communities, wealth generation, and long-term resilience.

Shandong Jianzhu University is an engineering-based multidisciplinary university specialising in civil construction. Working together allows us to offer exciting opportunities for you to study in both China and the UK. 

Follow your undergraduate degree at Shandong Jianzhu with master’s study at Reading 

Spend four years studying at Shandong Jianzhu, then progress onto master's study at Reading. Thanks to our partnership, you'll receive a 10% discount on tuition fees for your master's programme.

To benefit from the fee discount, choose from the following undergraduate courses at Shandong Jianzhu:

  • Architecture
  • Observation of Buildings
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Project Management
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Business and Management.

 

Then choose one of the following master’s programmes at Reading:

  • MSc Construction Cost Management
  • MSc Construction Management
  • MSc Design and Management of Sustainable Built Environments
  • MSc Project Management
  • MSc in Renewable Energy: Technology and Sustainability.

Entry requirements 

To progress onto master’s study at Reading, you must meet the following entry requirements. 

  • Achieve an average mark of 80% on a Shandong Jianzhu University undergraduate programme.
  • English language requirements: IELTS 6.5 with no element below 5.5.

Double master's degree

Together, Shandong Jianzhu and Reading are offering an exciting double master's degree, allowing you to gain two master's degrees in two years. You'll receive a 10% discount on tuition fees.

On this double master's, you will spend the first year at Shandong Jianzhu, studying on a master's programme in one of the following schools: 

  • Architecture 
  • Observation of Buildings
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Project Management
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Business and Management.

 

In the second year you will transfer to the University of Reading to one of the following master's programmes: 

  • MSc Construction Cost Management
  • MSc Construction Management
  • MSc Design and Management of Sustainable Built Environments
  • MSc Project Management
  • MSc in Renewable Energy: Technology and Sustainability.

Upon successful completion of the two years, you will be awarded a degree from both institutions.

Entry requirements 

To progress onto the second year of master's study at the University of Reading, you must meet the following entry requirements:

  • Successfully complete one year on a Shandong Jianzhu University master's programme. 
  • English language requirements: IELTS 6.5 with no element below 5.5.

Learn more about our entry requirements 

Why study with us

The University of Reading is one of the UK’s top-ranking institutions for Building. We are ranked 3rd for Building in the Complete University Guide 2025 and 5th for Building in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.  

Our talented and internationally diverse team in the School of the Built Environment are actively involved in research, contributing directly to your teaching.

You will be part of a supportive and collaborative international community of students, staff, and alumni and have regular opportunities to engage with cutting-edge research.

Our research activities within the School are grouped into three areas:

  • organisations, people and technology
  • energy and environmental engineering
  • urban living.

These groups bring colleagues across the School together to participate in a number of activities. 

The international student experience

We’ll help you to thrive in our lively academic environment developed from cross-cultural collaboration.

Both our student and staff communities are made up of people from across the world. At Reading, we have students from around 180 countries studying with us.

Our team of advisers are available to offer support on issues such as money matters, visa queries, accommodation and even help with defining words which might be unfamiliar to you. You can also benefit from the Reading University International Mentoring Scheme, matching you with a current student mentor at the University.

"I have made many friends from all over the world, and it has been interesting to note that they have varied academic backgrounds; I have been able to learn a lot from them. I like the way the course is taught, the assignments - I've learned many new things from this."

- Lei Hong, MSc Design and Management of Sustainable Built Environments, Centenary Scholarship winner

Read more about how we support international students

Campus life

Our School of the Built Environment is located across the University’s two campuses in Reading. The School of Architecture is based on the historic London Road campus, in an iconic redesigned and refitted building. The School of Construction Management and Engineering is based in the Chancellor's Building, on the award-winning Whiteknights campus and is an £8.4m purpose-built facility that opened in 2017.

Our beautiful campuses provide a vibrant community with a wide range of facilities to help you study, have fun and relax. We have a newly refurbished library on campus in addition to a variety of venues to shop, eat, drink and socialise. 

Our award-winning Students' Union runs over 150 clubs, societies and volunteering activities. You’ll also have access to the extensive sports facilities on offer, including SportsPark.

The University is within walking distance of the town centre and there are also regular buses from campus. Accessing London is simple, with trains from Reading town centre taking around 30 minutes.

We offer a wide range of accommodation options to choose from, both on and around the Whiteknights campus.

"What attracted me to the University of Reading was its campus environment and its commitment to sustainability. The University library is rich with learning resources and the Chancellor's computer lab has high-speed computers for handling simulations and programming."

- Lei Hong, MSc Design and Management of Sustainable Built Environments, Centenary Scholarship winner

Learn more about student life at Reading

Watch a tour of Whiteknights campus

Watch a tour of London Road campus