Where students live in Reading
Halls
Most first years live in university-managed halls on or near Whiteknights campus. Apply only through the university's official accommodation pages.
Redlands & Christchurch
Between the town centre and campus. Walkable to both, lots of shared student houses.
Earley
East of campus, quieter and residential. Popular with second and third years.
Newtown & Katesgrove
Closer to town, often a bit cheaper. Check bus routes to campus before you sign.
Getting around Reading as a student
Buses
Reading Buses run frequent routes between the town centre and Whiteknights (the 21 is the classic). Get tickets in the Reading Buses app and look for student deals.
Trains
Fast trains to London Paddington take around 25 minutes, and the Elizabeth line goes direct into central London.
16-25 Railcard
Saves a third on most UK rail fares. It pays for itself after a couple of London trips.
Walking & cycling
Campus is about 30 minutes' walk from the station. A bike makes the town much smaller.
First-week checklist for new students
- UK SIM card. SIM-only deals from giffgaff, Voxi, Lebara and others are cheap and need no credit check.
- Bank account. App banks like Monzo, Starling and Revolut are often the quickest to open. High street banks may ask for a letter from the university.
- Register with a GP so you can use the NHS when you need it.
- Council tax exemption. Full-time students don't pay council tax, but you may need to send proof of student status to the council.
- International students: check your UKVI eVisa account works and keep your share code handy.
- Say hi in the group. Find flatmates, people on your course, and others arriving the same week.
Avoid student accommodation scams
- Never pay a deposit for a room you haven't viewed or can't verify. Fake landlords target new students every year.
- Ignore "currency exchange" or "money available" offers from strangers. They are scams.
- The university will never ask you to pay fees through a personal account or a Telegram DM.
- Group admins never DM you first. If someone claiming to be an admin messages you, report them.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the official University of Reading group?
No. It's an independent group run by students. For anything official (fees, visas, enrolment) always use the university's own website and contacts.
Who is the group for?
Anyone studying at or heading to university in Reading: offer holders, freshers, current students and postgrads.
What happens when I join?
You'll be asked to solve a quick maths question to prove you're not a bot. Then you can post straight away.
Can I advertise in the group?
Rooms and flatmate searches are welcome. Spam, promotions and money offers get removed and the sender banned.
Where do students live in Reading?
Most first years live in university-managed halls on or near Whiteknights campus. After first year, popular areas for shared student houses include Redlands, Christchurch, Earley, Newtown and Katesgrove.
How do students get from Reading town centre to Whiteknights campus?
Reading Buses run frequent routes between the town centre and Whiteknights, with the 21 being the classic student route. Campus is also about 30 minutes' walk from Reading station.