More students than ever get into the University of Reading

The University of Reading is celebrating a record success after recruiting more than 4,000 new undergraduate students, who will begin their studies in September 2022.

More than 3,200 calls were taken in the University’s Clearing hotline centre to fill remaining places on courses after A-level results were released to students last Thursday (18 August). By this stage, the University had already reached capacity in several subject areas, including its Accounting & Business 'Flying Start' programme, Architecture, Pharmacy, Physician Associate studies and Speech and Language Therapy.

Strong demand for places at Reading began right at the start of the year, after applications rose by 4.6% in late January - greater than the sector average of 2.8% growth over the same time period. By the first UCAS deadline for applicants to reply to offers, the University had seen an even greater growth in firm acceptances, up by over 9% compared to the previous year.

The success of recruitment this year led to the University closing Clearing to new applicants on Friday afternoon, earlier than originally planned.

James Ackroyd, Director of Global Recruitment & Admissions, University of Reading, said "This year’s Clearing has been a great success for the University of Reading. We are delighted to welcome so many new students, who have chosen to study at Reading. These students have had their education severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic over the last two years and, with exams re-introduced for the first time since 2019, I know many will have been nervous about their results. For those joining us in September, I’d like to offer my congratulations for all your hard work.

“Overall, we have attracted our highest number of undergraduate entrants during the past decade and we will be supporting them as they transition to living and studying in Reading."

The total number of students expected to start their courses this September is 4,362, which is just above the number accepted by this point in 2017 (4,336).

A number of services will be available to Reading’s new students to support them as they integrate into university life. Most first year students will live in halls of residence but those living in the local community will be supported, too, including through the 'Hello Neighbour' programme.