Department life for master's students

Your life in the Department

As a student with us you will become part of a dynamic and friendly international community.

Throughout your time here at Reading you will have the chance to participate in a range of scholarly and social activities in the Department such as seminars, conferences, and informal gatherings with classmates and lecturers.

You can also take part in the Staff/Student Committees and provide us with valuable feedback about your learning experience. We have dedicated teaching staff and friendly support staff, who are here to help and guide you during your time here at the University.

Katie's MA Applied Linguistics story

Katie really valued her experience on our MA Applied Linguistics. She discovered an array of fascinating modules, and made the most of opportunities to help the wider community as part of the programme.

A day in the life – Aubree, MA Applied Linguistics

A typical day in the life of an Applied Linguistics master's student involves lectures, seminars, workshops and personal activities.

MORNING
Lunchtime
Afternoon
EVENING

Aubree usually wakes up at 8:00am for breakfast before preparing her lunchbox. After arriving at Whiteknights campus at 10:00 am, she meets her colleagues and chats with them about their modules and assignments. Today she also has to prepare a presentation for their Research Methods class. After the class, she normally asks the teacher some questions relating to her assignments and goes to the library to borrow some books.

Aubree usually has lunch with her colleagues in the cafeteria in Edith Morley and they prepare for lectures together. When she doesn't have classes in the afternoon, Aubree has lunch at home, close to campus. There are several food stores nearby, so it's easy to get the food she wants for the week. Every Thursday, lots of fresh, cheap vegetables and fruit is sold in Students' Union Market.

In the afternoon, Aubree usually does some reading, and might invite her classmates back home to have afternoon tea and make cookies. She then has an online chat with her parents and Chinese friends back home. On Wednesday afternoons, the Department’s weekly Applied Linguistics Research Circle seminar is held, with many famous researchers from other universities around the globe presenting their latest research.

Evening is a good time to study, as it's quiet and easier for Aubree to concentrate on the assignments. When she feels tired, she listens to the music and has a rest, and usually goes to bed at around 11.00pm. During the weekends she catches up with friends in Reading town centre - they eat ice-cream, watch films and go for drinks. On Sundays Aubree stays at home and works on her assignments, and prepares for her lectures in the following week.