Criminal Convictions pre-enrolment task for new students

For some new students who haven't yet declared whether or not they have a criminal conviction, you may be asked to declare this now before online enrolment opens to you. To check if this applies to you on a PC/laptop you can hover your mouse over the greyed out 'Online Enrolment' box and a pop-up message will appear telling you what you need to do. On a mobile device you can see the same message if you 'long press' on the greyed out 'Online Enrolment' box. 

Pharmacy pre-enrolment task for new and returning Pharmacy students

Many students on our Pharmacy course will need to complete a Pharmacy pre-enrolment task before online enrolment opens to you.  Find out where to find this information on RISIS.

Enrolment is the process by which you officially become a student of The University of Reading. It means that you have given us all the information needed, paid your fees (or told us who will pay them on your behalf) and we have performed all the required checks to allow you to officially join the University and begin your studies.  

Enrolment is made up of two stages; online (before you arrive) and in-person (on arrival day): Complete online enrolment

For more detail on what we mean by enrolment, and other University terms that may be new to you, see our handy glossary.

It’s important to pay your tuition fees before you can complete enrolment.

In addition to your fees, getting your personal finances in order before you arrive will allow you to concentrate on your studies and enjoy student life when you are here.

Budgeting is a normal part of f life for most students.  Our financial support team have created this handy leaflet on making the most of your money particularly in the first term: Read our advice on paying for your studies and applying for a student loan.

We are continuing to make campus more affordable by freezing costs and making it possible for students to make savings wherever possible.  We work closely with the Students’ Union to reduce the cost of living on campus and to offer financial assistance where possible for those in need.  Read more on the ways we are supporting the cost-of-living.

The Student Financial support team are always on hand to offer advice on funding, student bank accounts, budgeting for living expenses and paying your fees.

Working for Campus Jobs, the on site recruitment service just for Reading students will allow you to earn some extra cash while you are studying.
Campus Jobs matches you with part-time work opportunities on campus. Whether you are interested in working in the bars, catering, at the Open Days or even in your department.

The Careers team can also help you to find a part-time job or placement to compliment your studies.  Find out about the Professional Placement Year and read more on gaining experience and updating your CV.  Also, look out for JobFest taking place in welcome week.

You will hopefully have already made arrangements for your home for the semester.  Whether you have opted to live on campus in Halls or locally at a family home or in private accommodation it’s important that you make final confirmations with your host.  For last minute applications to apply for University accommodation, visit the how to apply section of the accommodation website. 

For further information on finding private accommodation in the UK please see the Reading Students' Union housing advice.

Once you have successfully registered in University accommodation or, sourced private accommodation, you’ll need to update your address details on the University’s Student Records System (the RISIS web portal).  It can take up to 24 hours for your new contact information to be updated in RISIS. 

Register with a local doctor 

You will probably be spending most of your time in Reading over the next few years, so it's important to have a local doctor available to you. That way you can receive emergency care if you need it, and access health services quickly and easily – something that is especially important if you have an ongoing health condition.

You can find a doctor quickly and easily using: Find a GP on the NHS website. The two surgeries nearest campus are the University Medical Practice and Chancellor House Surgery.

Register for dental care

The University Dental Surgery provides a comprehensive dental service under the terms of the National Health Service.

The Dental Surgery is open to staff, students and members of the public. The Dental surgery will undertake NHS and private work.

Visiting the surgery and booking an appointment:

• 9 Northcourt Avenue (behind the University Medical Practice) 
• Telephone: +44 (0)118 975 9660 
• Opening Hours: 09:00-13:00 and 13:30pm -17:00 Monday to Friday

The Disability Advisory Service (DAS) provides support for students with any disability, long term health condition, mental health condition, or specific learning difficulty (SpLD) to enable access to learning where previously this may be a difficulty.

If you declare a disability/long term medical condition on your UCAS application, have applied to us and have chosen Reading as your first choice we will contact you ahead of your arrival at the University, to ask more about your disability. It’s important to respond to us so we can work out how best to support you. If we’re an insurance option for you, please contact us.

We’ll send you a registration form which asks you to tell us a bit more about you and the support you might need while here. We’ll also ask you to send us medical evidence/reports. Once we have information from you, we will be in touch to help get support set up ready for you starting with us.

If you did not declare your disability/condition on your UCAS application or haven’t heard from us but believe you should have, please contact us directly on disability@reading.ac.uk or call us on 0118 378 4202.

If you require daily personal care or assistance to live independently and are based in the UK, you should contact your Social Services team from your local authority as early as possible to discuss the options available to you. It is likely they will carry out an assessment of your care needs which can take 6-12 months to complete.

We have put together some more detailed resources to help you:

• How to access support for independent living/personal care
• A timeline of events from your application to the start of term
• Information for students with disabilities coming to the University of Reading

 

Whiteknights campus is only a short journey from Reading town centre and there are many sustainable options for travel to the University of Reading.

If you arrive in Reading by bus or train, you will arrive at Reading train station, From there you have the option of taking a bus or a taxi. see onward travel advice.

 

International arrivals

If you arrive in the UK at Heathrow Airport, you do not need to go through central London.  You can travel directly from Heathrow to Reading via the RailAir coach. 

Further information for students arriving via a UK airport.

• Photo ID (this could be a valid passport, national identity card, Military ID or EU photo driving licence) 

If you do not have photo ID, please email campuscard@reading.ac.uk 

Please note: If you would like to work alongside studying, please ensure you bring your passport and/or birth certificate with you. These documents are needed to conduct 'right to work' checks for all students (UK and international).

Other documents you should bring with you:

• Any official paperwork you have received from the University
• Bank details, cards, chequebook and paying in book
• National Insurance Number (if applicable)
• NHS card (if applicable)
• Details of your student finance arrangements (if applicable)

Please see our suggestions for what items to bring below, and don't forget that the most important thing to bring is something that will make Reading feel like home - it could be photos of friends and family, posters, or your favourite bedding.

Don't worry if you forget any of the items on the list below. There are plenty of shops in Reading where you can buy these items cheaply. Buying some of your items in Reading after you’ve arrived, such as kitchen equipment, can save you having to pack and unpack heavy items, especially if you have a long journey and travelling from abroad. 

Things for your room and kitchen equipment

• Clothes
• Towels
• Duvet, pillows and covers
• Toiletries
• Pots and pans
• Cutlery
• Bowls and plates
• Kitchen utensils

Things for your course

• Stationery (including pens, pencils and highlighters)
• Calculators 
• Dictionary and thesaurus
• PC/laptop (including all the cables)
• USB memory stick
• Lined paper and notepads
• A4 ring binder
• Post-it notes
• Scissors
• Stapler
• Any work from A Level/Baccalaureate/BTEC that you think might come in handy

Other things

• Your mobile phone and charger
• Your address book (or a list of important numbers in case you lose your phone)
• Enough cash to get you through your first few days while you wait for your loan to come through
• Food for the first few days
• Torch
• Washing detergent
• Paracetamol/aspirin
• Games/balls/sports equipment
• Umbrella

If you’re living in University accommodation you are able to reserve a bedding or kitchen pack in advance and collect upon arrival. More information on this can be found in your halls e-induction and arrival booking.