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University of Reading (RDG)
University of Reading, Whiteknights, PO box 217, RG6 6AH READING, United Kingdom
3.86 / 5 based on 108 reviews.
Description:
Reading University, founded by the Univeristy of Oxford in 1892, is a leading international teaching and research institution located in the heart of the Thames Valley within easy striking distance of London.
88% of students recommend
108 reviews
108 reviews of University of Reading
HOUSING
by Packersfan24, HEC Liège, Liège, Belgium
Business Studies, Erasmus
Personal assessment
Type of housing: With a family
Arranged by: Host university
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why? Living in a host family is really interesting as a first experience abroad. You generally have lots of facilities, and you can speak the foreign language very often. However, you are not completely independent, and you often have to go out in order to meet people of your age out of the courses. I am very confident that living in a flat or sharing a house with other students from different nationalities is a great experience too, especially if you already know the country a little. And, of course, you are more independent.
Personal comments:
I stayed in a host family, near the Reading University campus. The location of the house was perfect. The family, 2 people of about 60 years, was really kind to me, and I could use all the facilities, like the kitchen, the washing machine, the iron, etc. Moreover, I stayed there with a German girl, who was also studying at the university. Therefore, I could practise my German with her. She was also very kind. The main problem was the fact that such an accomodation was quite expensive. However, I have to admit that the cost of life in United Kingdom is high for a foreigner in any case. This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
STUDENT LIFE
by Packersfan24, HEC Liège, Liège, Belgium
Business Studies, Erasmus
Personal social experience
Describe host city: Student life dominates the city
Activities, Travel: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment Personal comments:
Well, for a Belgian, going to Britain without enjoying pub crawls would have been a nonsense, and there are enough pubs in Reading in order to make this a reality. I like to dance in nightclubs, and I have to admit that the best nightclub I have ever spent the night in was just near Reading, in Calcot exactly, just outside the motorway. Its name is the "Utopia", where the atmosphere is always fantastic! This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
ACADEMIC
by silvie, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
food science, Erasmus
My academic experiences
Course recommendations:
different than in switzerland, less hours of classes, you spend more time in the library etc. working on your own, writing essays, hardly an contact to english students (much younger, no interest in international sudents, I had to redo the whole half year at my home university because the system is so different
My opinion of the university assessment
Personal comments:
none This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
by Concetta, Università degli Studi di Siena, Siena, Italy
Business Studies, Erasmus
Language difficulties
Language of instruction: English
Was learning English a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my English How much did you improve your English?
My level before: Basic phrases My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang) Personal comments:
the improvement i made in speaking english during the nine months I've spent in England was terrific, attending the courses at University was very helpful as well as the short period of time that I worked at the university's cafeteria and the time spent with international and local students This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
EXPENSES
by Packersfan24, HEC Liège, Liège, Belgium
Business Studies, Erasmus
The accessibility of student needs
Main source of funding:
Family Other sources of funding:
Personal savings Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options Personal spending habits:
I wanted to phone to my family and my friends in Belgium, so, the telephone expenses were quite high. I have already mentioned that the cost of accomodation was high. I went out more than in Belgium, as the nightlife in Reading was wonderful and I enjoyed it very much by meeting lots of students and local people. Nightlife, Overall, Telephone, Housing: was more expensive than at home. Food, Travel: was the same price as at home.
Personal comments:
I definitely think that United Kingdom is a very expensive country. Everything has a high price, and I think that the most inconvenient thing is that the cost of transportation is so high. The best cost-saving tip I can give is to get or buy a student card that allows you to benefit from lots of discounts concerning, for instance, transportation, travel, student activites, sport, etc. This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
OVERALL
by Packersfan24, HEC Liège, Liège, Belgium
Business Studies, Erasmus
Important to choosing this university...
I wish I had known...
I wish I had known more about cooking, as I have noticed that it is really important during such a stay abroad, and I am definitely a bad cooker. In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!
During my experience abroad, I ...
Personal recommendation:
I think Reading represents well what a university in UK can be. The academic methods for the lectures, the exercises, the essays and exams are typically English. Personally, I like this kind of programme, where you have to read more and do more research before writing essays than in Belgium. It is more original, more interesting, and not so difficult. You can easily get used to it. FINAL COMMENTS
I believe the best way to enjoy the life at Reading university is to join English student clubs. Personally, I joined the photography club, the athletics club and the "chess and bridge" club. In such clubs, you can meet local and foreign students and make them become your friends. During the time I spent in these clubs, I had great fun and very nice moments. It is also a way to discover how English students live and enjoy life during their spare times. Finally, if you would like to enjoy short trips in England, Scotland or Ireland, you can do it for a 3-day or a 1-week experience in groups of about 20 people sharing a minibus. For Scotland, the company is called "Haggis", for England, I don't remember, sorry, and for Ireland, it is "Blarney buses". With Blarney, I had a great experience in Ireland. I recommend it to everyone. This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
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About iAgora
iAgora provides university reviews and ratings by international graduates, Erasmus and exchange students. International rankings and admission details to graduate programmes like masters, MSc, MBAs and summer courses at University of Reading and other business schools and universities.
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Couldn't have asked for more.
Pretty good.
Could've been better, but didn't lessen the overall experience.
Disappointing.
Very Important.
Important.
Not really important.
Unimportant.
