UNIVERSITY OF READING UNDERGRADUATE PROSPECTUS 2021 WELCOME You are at a critical moment in your life. As you prepare to take the first step into your future, the decisions you’re about to make – about what to study and where – will help influence the rest of your life. At Reading, you’ll join an inclusive, welcoming student environment. Through the quality of our teaching and support services, we are preparing our students to succeed in a changing world – a world that is also at a critical moment. Changes in our global climate are affecting the lives of billions of people and we all have a part to play in tackling this challenge. More than ever, Reading is being recognised for our world- leading research in climate change and for our dedicated pursuit of climate solutions. As we make strides in global environmental sustainability, we are also committed to supporting you during your own transformative journey. You’ll find excellent academic, personal and professional development opportunities here, enabling you to grow in a globally minded place that feels like home. The University of Reading is an inspiring and collaborative community that actively encourages a strong student voice. Here, you can make a real impact. More importantly, we’ll help equip you to make an even greater impact in the world beyond graduation. Ecology and Wildlife History 116 Nutrition see Food and Conservation Nutritional Sciences 108 see Environment 103 History of Art see Art 70 CONTENTSWelcome 3 Study options 22 Supporting you 42 English language Economics 90 requirements 160 Pharmacy and About us 6 Teaching and learning 24 International Education and Teaching 93 Pharmacology 134 and EU students 46 How to apply International Development 118 Exploring town 8 Our research 26 in eight easy steps 162 Engineering see Biomedical Philosophy 136 Fees and funding 52 Engineering 74 International Foundation Festival 10 Facilities 28 Visit us 165 Programme (IFP) 120 Physics of the Environment Courses 57 English Language and Linguistics 98 see Meteorology 130 What’s on 12 Students’ Union 30 Useful information 168 International Relations see Politics Next steps 151 English Literature 100 and International Relations 138 Politics and Meet our students 14 Sports and societies 32 Index 169 International Relations 138 Joint courses 152 Environment 103 Investment and Finance in Property Whiteknights campus 16 Accommodation 34 Important information see Real Estate and Planning 144 Psychology 140 Foundation programmes 156 (see inside back cover) Environmental Management London Road campus 18 Careers and see Environment 103 Italian see Modern Languages 132 employability 38 Entry requirements 158 Life on campus 20 Environmental Science Real Estate see Environment 103 and Planning 144 Law 122 Film, Theatre Spanish see Modern Management see Business & & Television 106 Languages 132 Management, Accounting and SUBJECTSAccounting Biochemistry see Chemistry 81 Finance see Business & Finance 76 Speech and Language Therapy 146 see Business & Management, Biological Sciences 72 Management, Accounting Marketing 124 Accounting and Finance 76 Classics, Classical Studies and Finance 76 Surveying and Construction 148 Biological Sciences 72 and Ancient History 84 Mathematics 126 Agricultural Business Management Food and Nutritional Sciences 108 Biomedical Engineering 74 Comparative Literature see Agriculture 58 Medical Science 128 see English Literature 100 Food Marketing and Business Teaching see Education Agriculture 58 Biomedical Sciences Economics see Marketing 124 and Teaching 93 see Medical Science 128 Computer Science 88 Medieval Studies see Classics, Classical Studies and Ancient Ancient History see Classics, Classical Television see Film, French see Modern Languages 132 History 84 Studies and Ancient History 84 Building see Surveying Construction see Surveying Theatre & Television 106 and Construction 148 and Construction 148 Meteorology 130 Animal Science and Zoology 60 Business & Management, Theatre see Film, Theatre & Consumer Behaviour and Marketing Geography 112 Microbiology see Television 106 Anthropology 64 Accounting and Finance 76 see Marketing 124 German see Modern Biological Sciences 72 Archaeology 62 Languages 132 Modern Languages 132 Zoology see Animal Science Architectural Engineering 66 Graphic Communication 114 Museum Studies see Archaeology, and Zoology 60 Architecture 68 see Classics 62, 84 Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) accepted on many of our courses – look out for this symbol on course pages Art 70 4 | www.reading.ac.uk www.reading.ac.uk | 5 GREEN ENVIRONMENT The University of Reading BRIGHT PROSPECTS “With its distinctive woodland walks, has plenty to offer: a rich “We are committed to helping students conservation meadows and lake, VIBRANT RESEARCH HUB history, a beautiful campus secure valuable real-world experience Whiteknights campus is a peaceful, We are a research-intensive university – in a thriving town, a vibrant through placement learning, allowing them green environment. Wilderness 98% of our research has been rated of 1 academic community, and to contextualise their academic learning, areas provide much-needed international standing. much more. explore their future careers and build up natural habitats, and reinforce Our work has real-world impact: we tackle their personal and professional skills.” our sustainability efforts.” global challenges such as climate change, OUR UNIVERSITY heart disease and international conflict. Steve Boon, Estates and Facilities “The University of Reading Emma Sowden, Your lecturers will tailor your learning to transforms people’s lives Careers & Employability ensure that you remain aware of cutting- through the excellence of edge research in your field. our education and research. As we approach our 2026 centenary, I believe that we can build on our proud history and continue to be a force for good in an uncertain world.” Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY Join an internationally diverse PIONEERING HISTORY environment, home to more than Our rich history spans more than 150 21,000 students from around 165 2 years. We appointed England’s first countries. With links to partner female professor and opened one of universities across the world, the UK’s first business schools. there are many opportunities for 3 international experience. 1 Based on the Times Higher Education Guide’s CENTRAL LOCATION analysis of our submissions judged to be world leading, internationally excellent and internationally Our main campuses are located close to recognised in overall quality in the latest Research Excellence Framework 2014. Reading’s thriving town centre. From there, it’s just 2 HESA Student Record, 2017/18. 22 minutes to London Paddington by train, and 3 See individual course pages for information only 45 minutes to Heathrow airport by coach. specific to your course. 6 | www.reading.ac.uk ABOUT US www.reading.ac.uk | 7 EAT Excite your taste buds in one of Reading’s many cafes and restaurants. With Hyderabadi, tapas, Lebanese, Ethiopian and vegan options, EXPERIENCE you’re sure to find somewhere to satisfy your For something more cultural, South Street appetite. Be sure to check out the Wednesday offers cutting-edge comedy, music and and Friday food markets, serving jerk chicken theatre – the venue has hosted acts such as wraps, Peruvian street food, inventive plant- Radiohead and Jimmy Carr. Reading also has based options and more. a vibrant music scene, with bands including Reading has a proud history of The Amazons and Sundara Karma bursting welcoming people from across onto the scene in recent years. Head to the the globe, and has grown into Purple Turtle, Sub89 or Oakford Social Club P L AY to discover the next big sound. a lively, diverse community. Head into town for plenty of places to have As well as its bustling town a fantastic time with friends. From clubs centre – boasting a huge variety playing indie, pop and retro hits, to a selection of restaurants, bars, pubs, of wine bars, pubs and tap rooms. parks and shows – find out why Try paddle boarding or kayaking down the Thames, or head to Lagoona Park for jet thousands of our graduates now skiing and water obstacle courses. Get your call Reading home. friends together to solve one of Reading’s many escape rooms, or enjoy an evening under the stars at a summer open-air cinema screening. RELAX SHOP With three parks that have won Green Flag Reading is one of the south-east’s top Awards, there is no shortage of places to shopping destinations, with The Oracle unwind. Take time out in Workhouse Coffee, and Broad Street home to many of the UK’s based within a Georgian coaching inn, step top brands. There are plenty of unique, aboard Whittington’s Tea Barge on the independent businesses too: Elsie’s Vintage Thames, or treat yourself to an open-air swim sells classic clothing from the ‘70s, ‘80s and at Thames Lido. ‘90s, while Eclectic Games stocks one of the largest board game collections in the country. The Edwardian Harris Arcade features a variety of independent shops, including Crunch Comics, The Sound Machine record shop, and the hugely popular ale and cheese shop, Grumpy Goat. EXPLORING8 | www.reading.ac.uk TOWN www.reading.ac.uk | 9 FESTIVAL FESTIVAL Reading Festival “It was a once-in-a-lifetime welcomes tens of opportunity to create thousands of music fans every year. It also content for Festival presents an exciting Republic’s blog and and unique opportunity social media channels. for our students. For the past six years, It was a privilege to be we have teamed up with festival side of stage to watch organisers, Festival Republic, to give some of our students the bands, meet the acts and opportunity to work backstage be interviewed by the at the festival. BBC – it added invaluable Working alongside the nation’s leading press publications – experience to my CV.” interviewing chart-topping bands, Katie Lawman, and reviewing headline acts – our BA English Literature students interned as content producers, working behind the scenes with industry experts. This opportunity not only gives students incredible work experience, but opens doors to an exclusive industry.