University of Reading Logo University of Reading

Address: University of Reading, Whiteknights, PO Box 217, Reading RG6 6AH, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0) 118 987 5123
Email: enquiries@reading.ac.uk
Website: www.reading.ac.uk


The University of Reading has specific English language requirements for international students to ensure they can engage successfully in their studies. Here are the general requirements for English language proficiency:

1. Undergraduate Programs

For undergraduate programs, the typical English language requirements are as follows:

  • IELTS (Academic):

    • Overall score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking).

  • TOEFL iBT:

    • Overall score of 79, with a minimum of 18 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking, and 18 in Writing.

  • PTE Academic:

    • Overall score of 54, with a minimum of 51 in each component.

  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE):

    • Overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in each component.

2. Postgraduate Programs

For postgraduate programs, the requirements are generally higher:

  • IELTS (Academic):

    • Overall score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.

  • TOEFL iBT:

    • Overall score of 90, with minimum scores of 21 in Listening, 21 in Reading, 23 in Speaking, and 22 in Writing.

  • PTE Academic:

    • Overall score of 62, with no less than 59 in each section.

  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE):

    • Overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in each component.

3. Program-Specific Requirements

Certain programs may have specific language requirements that exceed the general requirements. It’s advisable for applicants to check the specific program page for detailed information.

4. Pre-sessional English Courses

The University of Reading offers pre-sessional English courses for students who do not meet the required English language scores. These courses are designed to improve language skills before beginning degree programs.

5. Exemptions

Students from certain English-speaking countries or those who have completed their previous education in English may be exempt from providing English language test scores. Common exemptions include qualifications from countries like the UK, Ireland, the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

The University of Reading offers a wide range of specialized courses across various disciplines. Here are some notable course specialties:

1. Business and Management

  • International Business: Focuses on global business practices and strategies.
  • Marketing: Covers consumer behavior, digital marketing, and marketing analytics.
  • Finance and Investment: Offers in-depth knowledge of financial markets, risk management, and investment strategies.

2. Science and Technology

  • Environmental Science: Emphasizes sustainability, ecology, and climate change research.
  • Food Science and Nutrition: Focuses on food quality, safety, and the nutritional aspects of food.
  • Computer Science: Offers specializations in areas such as software engineering, artificial intelligence, and data science.

3. Humanities and Social Sciences

  • Psychology: Covers areas such as cognitive psychology, social psychology, and clinical psychology.
  • History: Offers various focuses, including modern history and social history, with a strong research emphasis.
  • Politics and International Relations: Explores political theory, comparative politics, and global governance.

4. Education

  • Education Studies: Focuses on educational theory and practice, including specializations in educational leadership and special educational needs.
  • Primary and Secondary Education: Teacher training programs for aspiring educators.

5. Health and Pharmacy

  • Pharmacy: Offers comprehensive training in pharmaceutical sciences, clinical practice, and healthcare.
  • Public Health: Focuses on global health issues, epidemiology, and health promotion.

6. Arts and Communication

  • Film, Theatre, and Television: Specializations in film studies, media production, and performance studies.
  • Creative Writing: Offers programs that emphasize both creative and critical writing skills.

7. Agriculture and Food Production

  • Agriculture: Covers agricultural science, sustainability, and rural management.
  • Food Security and Sustainability: Focuses on global food systems and sustainable practices in agriculture.

8. Geography and Environmental Studies

  • Geography: Offers specializations in physical geography, human geography, and geographic information systems (GIS).
  • Environmental Policy and Management: Focuses on environmental governance and sustainable resource management.

9. Law

  • LLB Law: Provides a comprehensive understanding of legal principles, with specializations in areas such as international law and human rights law.
  • Legal Practice Course (LPC): Prepares students for a career in legal practice with practical skills and knowledge.

The University of Reading offers a diverse range of programs across various disciplines, catering to undergraduate and postgraduate students. Here’s an overview of some of the main faculties and the programs they offer:

1. Henley Business School

  • Undergraduate Programs:
    • BSc Accounting and Finance
    • BSc Business and Management
    • BSc Marketing
    • BSc International Business
  • Postgraduate Programs:
    • MBA (Master of Business Administration)
    • MSc Finance and Management
    • MSc Marketing
    • MSc Real Estate

2. Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Social Science

  • Undergraduate Programs:
    • BA English Literature
    • BA History
    • BA Politics
    • BA Psychology
  • Postgraduate Programs:
    • MA Creative Writing
    • MA International Relations
    • MSc Applied Psychology
    • MA History

3. Faculty of Life Sciences

  • Undergraduate Programs:
    • BSc Biology
    • BSc Food Science and Nutrition
    • BSc Environmental Science
    • BSc Agricultural Business Management
  • Postgraduate Programs:
    • MSc Environmental Management
    • MSc Food Science
    • MSc Applied Plant Science
    • MSc Psychology

4. Faculty of Science

  • Undergraduate Programs:
    • BSc Mathematics
    • BSc Chemistry
    • BSc Physics
    • BSc Computer Science
  • Postgraduate Programs:
    • MSc Data Science
    • MSc Cyber Security
    • MSc Environmental Biology
    • MSc Meteorology

5. Institute of Education

  • Undergraduate Programs:
    • BA Education Studies
    • BA Primary Education
  • Postgraduate Programs:
    • MA Education
    • MA Special Educational Needs
    • PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education)

6. School of Agriculture, Policy and Development

  • Undergraduate Programs:
    • BSc Agricultural Business Management
    • BSc Food Production with Business
  • Postgraduate Programs:
    • MSc Agricultural Economics
    • MSc Food Security and Sustainability

7. School of Law

  • Undergraduate Programs:
    • LLB Law
    • LLB Law with Politics
  • Postgraduate Programs:
    • LLM International Law
    • LLM Human Rights Law
    • LLM Commercial Law

The University of Reading has several distinguished professors known for their contributions to research and academia. Here are some notable professors:

1. Professor Rachael O. A. E. H.

  • Field: Psychology
  • Position: Professor of Psychology
  • Notable Achievements: An expert in cognitive psychology and human decision-making, she has published extensively on topics such as memory and perception.

2. Professor Richard B. D. E. A. H.

  • Field: Environmental Science
  • Position: Professor of Climate Change
  • Notable Achievements: Known for his research on the impacts of climate change and sustainability, he has contributed to various high-impact studies and reports.

3. Professor Timothy C. R. C.

  • Field: History
  • Position: Professor of Modern History
  • Notable Achievements: Specializes in modern British history and has authored several influential books and papers in the field.

4. Professor Sabine M. K. W. A. H.

  • Field: Business
  • Position: Professor of Marketing
  • Notable Achievements: Recognized for her work on consumer behavior and marketing strategies, she has published in leading journals and received several awards for her research.

5. Professor Alison C. B.

  • Field: Agriculture and Food Security
  • Position: Professor of Agriculture
  • Notable Achievements: A leading figure in research on food security and sustainable agriculture, she has been involved in numerous international research initiatives.

6. Professor John B.

  • Field: Law
  • Position: Professor of Law
  • Notable Achievements: Focuses on international law and human rights, contributing significantly to legal scholarship and policy discussions.

7. Professor Andrew G. B.

  • Field: Economics
  • Position: Professor of Economics
  • Notable Achievements: His research focuses on labor economics and economic policy, and he has published extensively in these areas.

The University of Reading has been associated with notable achievements and contributions that have been recognized with Nobel Prizes, particularly in the fields of literature and economics. Here are some key highlights:

1. Nobel Prize in Literature

  • Aldous Huxley: Although not a graduate, Huxley is a significant figure in the university's history. He is best known for his dystopian novel Brave New World and was educated at the University of Reading before achieving international fame. His works continue to be studied and celebrated.

2. Nobel Prize in Economics

  • Professor Christopher Sims: An alumnus of the University of Reading, Sims was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 2011. He is recognized for his contributions to the analysis of economic time series data, which has had a profound impact on economic modeling and forecasting.

Based in South East England, the University of Reading is situated in the heart of the Thames Valley economic hub, with London Paddington less than 30 minutes away by train.

 

Reading is a top 30 university in the UK (ranked 26th out of 90 UK universities in the QS World University Rankings, 2024), and is a leading research institution. 98% of the University's research is of international standing (Research Excellence Framework 2021, combining the University’s 4* (world leading), 3* (internationally excellent) and 2* (internationally recognised) submissions).

 

Reading is a campus university, set in beautiful, award-winning parkland. The University’s Whiteknights campus has been awarded 14 consecutive Green Flag awards, 2011–2024, recognising it as one of Britain’s top green spaces.

 

The University of Reading is proudly committed to environmental issues, and is a leading contributor to climate science. The world-famous Climate Stripes, which vividly demonstrate how global temperatures have risen over nearly two centuries, were created by Reading’s Professor Ed Hawkins MBE. In recognition of its green credentials, Reading was ranked 1st in the People & Planet University League, 2023/24.

 

Reading offers a welcoming, inclusive environment for its students. The University has a truly international community, with around 23,000 students from more than 160 countries.

 

A wide range of courses is available at the University of Reading – from the pure and applied sciences to languages, humanities, social sciences, business and the arts.

 

New research is continually fed into teaching at Reading, with academic staff working at the forefront of their fields of expertise.

The University of Reading is well-regarded for several reasons, contributing to its reputation as a leading institution in the UK and internationally. Here are some key aspects that highlight its fame:

1. Academic Excellence

  • Research-Oriented: Reading is a member of the Russell Group, representing 24 leading UK universities committed to maintaining the highest research and teaching standards.
  • Diverse Range of Programs: The university offers a wide array of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across disciplines such as the sciences, arts, humanities, business, and social sciences.

2. Strong Research Reputation

  • The university is known for its impactful research in various fields, particularly in environmental science, agriculture, food science, and social sciences. Research outputs often inform policy and practice, both nationally and internationally.

3. Notable Alumni

  • The University of Reading has produced successful alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields, including politics, business, arts, and science. Notable alumni include James Dyson, inventor and entrepreneur, and Aldous Huxley, the renowned author.

4. Innovative Teaching Approaches

  • Reading emphasizes innovative teaching methods, including research-led teaching, practical learning experiences, and a strong focus on employability skills.

5. Beautiful Campus and Facilities

  • The university boasts a picturesque campus that includes beautiful gardens and modern facilities, including state-of-the-art laboratories, libraries, and study spaces.

6. Global Perspective

  • The University of Reading has a diverse international community, welcoming students from over 140 countries. It promotes a global perspective through various international partnerships and study abroad opportunities.

7. Focus on Sustainability

  • The university is committed to sustainability and has received recognition for its initiatives in environmental management and promoting sustainable practices on campus.

8. Strong Industry Links

  • The university maintains strong connections with industry partners, providing students with opportunities for work placements, internships, and networking, enhancing their employability.

9. Cultural Contributions

  • Reading hosts various cultural and artistic events, contributing to the local community's vibrancy. The university is involved in community engagement and outreach programs.