University of Reading The University of Reading is ranked as one of the UK’s 10 most research-intensive universities and as one of the top 200 universities in the world. We enjoy a world-class reputation for teaching, research and enterprise. Established as an extension college of Christ Church, Oxford in 1892, we received a Royal Charter in 1926, the only university to do so between the two world wars. Important achievements include being the first university to win the Queen’s Award for Export Achievement (1989) and twice receiving the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher Education (1998 and 2006).
The quality and diversity of our research is recognised nationally and internationally, with a number of our researchers receiving awards for their work. We are home to several centres of excellence and conduct world-class research across a broad range of disciplines. In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise 20 departments received a rating of 5 and above with our Archaeology, English, Italian, Meteorology and Psychology Schools gaining a 5** rating – indicating the highest international quality sustained over more than a decade.
Reading is consistently one of the most popular higher education choices in the UK. Our unusually broad portfolio of full- and part-time degree programmes covers the arts, humanities, sciences and social sciences. We regularly update our programmes as new ideas emerge and industry needs change and are involved with four national Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
First-class resources support world-class teaching. Our ongoing investment in high-quality teaching and learning facilities ensures our academic staff and students can achieve their full potential. We provide extensive resources from libraries and computing to language labs and wireless networking. These help to create an intellectually stimulating and richly resourced environment where people thrive.
At Reading we pursue an ambitious and innovative enterprise agenda. Over the last five years we have enjoyed considerable success in collaborative research partnerships, delivering over 1200 projects. Other services in demand are consultancy, technology transfer and intellectual property licensing. Enterprise also taps into our expertise via government assisted Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs). Our close links with business and industry are evident right across the University. Collaborative research projects, the creation of spin-out companies and graduate placement schemes are just some of the many ways we interact with enterprise day-to-day.
Established as a leading force in British higher education, we continue to build on our success. Our ambitious multi-million pound investment programme is delivering twenty-first century facilities, strengthening our international reputation for quality teaching, research and enterprise.
