Learning at the 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. It enjoys a world-class reputation for teaching, research and enterprise. Established as an extension college of Christ Church, Oxford in 1892, it 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).
Centres of excellence
The quality and diversity of Reading's research is recognised nationally and internationally, with a number of researchers receiving awards for their work. It is home to several centres of excellence and conducts world-class research across a broad range of disciplines.The quality and diversity of its research is recognised nationally and internationally. The Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008 results confirm the standing of the University of Reading as a research-intensive university. Published in December 2008, the outcomes recognise over 87% of the university's research to be of international standing. The work of over 600 University of Reading research active staff was submitted to the Higher Education Funding Council for England for the RAE (88% of our eligible staff), demonstrating the breadth and quality of research across the university.
Reading is consistently one of the most popular higher education choices in the UK. The university's unusually broad portfolio of full- and part-time degree programmes covers the arts, humanities, sciences and social sciences. It regularly updates its 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. Ongoing investment in high-quality teaching and learning facilities ensures that academic staff and students can achieve their full potential. By providing extensive resources, from libraries and computing to language labs and wireless networking, the university helps to create an intellectually stimulating and richly resourced environment where people thrive.
Enterprise agenda
Reading pursues an ambitious and innovative enterprise agenda. Over the last five years it has 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 expertise via government assisted Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs). These 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 the university interacts with enterprise day-to-day.
Established as a leading force in British higher education, the University of Reading continues to build on success. An ambitious multi-million pound investment programme is delivering twenty-first century facilities, strengthening an international reputation for quality teaching, research and enterprise.
