[Bubbles0ox]

So ive noticed on here that hardly anyone is applying to reading uni
i was wondering why

some of my friends who went to see reading said they hated the accommodation even though they just opened a new block (even though it is about 5grand a year)

so whats your opinion?

[FTstudies]

(Original post by Bubbles0ox)
So ive noticed on here that hardly anyone is applying to reading uni
i was wondering why

some of my friends who went to see reading said they hated the accommodation even though they just opened a new block (even though it is about 5grand a year)

so whats your opinion?

Reading is quite an odd Uni in a way, its not the super-elite such as Durham, UCL etc, but it's better than the average Uni's such as Brunel, Kent, Aberystwyth etc. I personally was the only one in my entire Sixth Form to apply for Uni of Reading, which I thought was odd, but I absolutely LOVE it here. Honestly, the campus is HUGE and has a mix of modern and more archaic buildings, plus there is lots of greenery & a river, which will come in handy in the summer.

And just to note, the accommodation is fantastic. I live in Stenton, which is one of the brand new halls, and it is top notch! Double beds, lights that are motion sensitive, lifts, en-suite, lots of storage space, a BIG kitchen. Stenton & Mackinder are expensive, however if you just go for the term time package, it costs nearer the 4000 mark I believe.

There is of course, a range of halls, we do have a halls called Wantage, and it is very harry potter-esque styled, as in there are actual secret passage ways, where if you move a certain book, then a part of the wall will open up to a secret corridor. Leading on from there, halls such as Windsor, Student Village have been updated recently and are in very good condition, so what your friend says is nonsense. Though Windsor from the outside doesn't look very nice to me.

[Bubbles0ox]

(Original post by FTstudies)
Reading is quite an odd Uni in a way, its not the super-elite such as Durham, UCL etc, but it's better than the average Uni's such as Brunel, Kent, Aberystwyth etc. I personally was the only one in my entire Sixth Form to apply for Uni of Reading, which I thought was odd, but I absolutely LOVE it here. Honestly, the campus is HUGE and has a mix of modern and more archaic buildings, plus there is lots of greenery & a river, which will come in handy in the summer.

And just to note, the accommodation is fantastic. I live in Stenton, which is one of the brand new halls, and it is top notch! Double beds, lights that are motion sensitive, lifts, en-suite, lots of storage space, a BIG kitchen. Stenton & Mackinder are expensive, however if you just go for the term time package, it costs nearer the 4000 mark I believe.

There is of course, a range of halls, we do have a halls called Wantage, and it is very harry potter-esque styled, as in there are actual secret passage ways, where if you move a certain book, then a part of the wall will open up to a secret corridor. Leading on from there, halls such as Windsor, Student Village have been updated recently and are in very good condition, so what your friend says is nonsense. Though Windsor from the outside doesn't look very nice to me.

LOVED this post so much i gave you good rep!
i feel the same i love READING (not that im there yet)
stenton - i actually love!! yeh its like £5000 but its all sorted
so jealous that you're there and living in stenton


ahh this makes me excited to talk to someone that loves reading!!
REALLY hope i get in

[JDI]

Reading is the third uni I have been to (after Exeter and QMUL) and I can honestly say, it is by far the best!
With regard to halls, I'm in one of the oldest ones open now, but this does have the advantage of being very open. In newer halls, you tend to have a key to your front door, one to your flat and to your room, so you have limited access to everywhere else. In older halls, you'll have a key to the front door and one to your room, but are otherwise free to roam the entire hall. As such, I now have friends on every floor and at all ends of my hall!

[Bubbles0ox]

(Original post by JDI)
Reading is the third uni I have been to (after Exeter and QMUL) and I can honestly say, it is by far the best!
With regard to halls, I'm in one of the oldest ones open now, but this does have the advantage of being very open. In newer halls, you tend to have a key to your front door, one to your flat and to your room, so you have limited access to everywhere else. In older halls, you'll have a key to the front door and one to your room, but are otherwise free to roam the entire hall. As such, I now have friends on every floor and at all ends of my hall!

this gives me hope
everyone ive been talking to hates it
but i LOVE it

[Rinn]

I'm in my 2nd year at Reading now, it was actually my insurance as I failed to get into my firm. I was really upset by that but as soon as I came here that all changed, I love it =D

[FTstudies]

(Original post by Bubbles0ox)
LOVED this post so much i gave you good rep!
i feel the same i love READING (not that im there yet)
stenton - i actually love!! yeh its like £5000 but its all sorted
so jealous that you're there and living in stenton


ahh this makes me excited to talk to someone that loves reading!!
REALLY hope i get in

Thanks for the rep

Aye, I hope you get in! I actually missed out on my offer by a grade, but was let in luckily by the skin of my teeth hah. The taxis are really cheap to, 5 quid from Stenton to town, so if you get 4 people in, only 1.20 each, same price as a bus fayre!

If you have any other questions or whatever, feel free to ask . Cleaners come round and empty our Kitchen bins every 2 days, and our room bins once a week. Go Stenton & Mackinder

[2nd_slip]

RU is a cool place. I am an alumnus.

[Picnic1]

Seems to me that Reading is in that 'underrated very good late redbrick/campus era university' category along with, to some extent, Leicester and Loughbough. But if my experience of Leicester is anything to go by, this can result in some really individual and clever characters going there who may be attracted by its solid (sometimes spectacular) ranking but also by the environment (which is what people live in) than huge league table ranking (which people don't live in). And personality (of people and staff) isn't measured by league tables either.

The University of Reading is a famous name for robotics as you may know.

[Bubbles0ox]

(Original post by Picnic1)
Seems to me that Reading is in that 'underrated very good late redbrick/campus era university' category along with, to some extent, Leicester and Loughbough. But if my experience of Leicester is anything to go by, this can result in some really individual and clever characters going there who may be attracted by its solid (sometimes spectacular) ranking but also by the environment (which is what people live in) than huge league table ranking (which people don't live in). And personality (of people and staff) isn't measured by league tables either.

The University of Reading is a famous name for robotics as you may know.

ah thanks for this i guess its how i feel

[fh2010]

My fiancee is at Reading and she loves it. She's had a much better time than I have I think. I love the campus, and because I finish about a week earlier than her I go and work in the library for the week she's still in uni - its great.

[Caarl]

Well it's technically a redbrick and it's more internationally recognised then going to somewhere like Leicester.

[Picnic1]

(Original post by Caarl)
Well it's technically a redbrick and it's more internationally recognised then going to somewhere like Leicester.

Oh come on - Leicester will be at least as well known internationally.
Leicester should have the edge due to inventing DNA profiling and Leicester's UK ranking is higher. Pick any subject and the chances are that Leicester ranks higher. I wonder why you picked Leicester where a higher than average percentage of the locals were originally from other nations for a start?

This site suggests that they rank about the same with 'the world'- just managed to make the world's top 200 universities.

http://www.topuniversities.com/unive...al-rankings/uk

What is 'somewhere like Leicester' anyway? It's a university that defies category possibly more than any other in the UK. It's not a 60s era campus university (even if some of the science buildings look like one in part) and it's a bit younger than most redbricks.

[Caarl]

I knew someone would attack my choice of comparison. It was a mere example of university, please, do not take offence and defend Leicester.

Okay, here's another example; Reading is more internationally recognised than Surrey. Better?

[Holly Hiskey]

I go to Reading and really like it! As for halls, last year I was in Wessex, which was actually fine and one of the cheapest ones! Also I love the campus, I'm from the country and I like a little greenery!

[redaniel1]

(Original post by Bubbles0ox)
So ive noticed on here that hardly anyone is applying to reading uni
i was wondering why

some of my friends who went to see reading said they hated the accommodation even though they just opened a new block (even though it is about 5grand a year)

so whats your opinion?

I know people have given you lots of good feedback but I thought i'd brag about Reading a bit more!

Don't worry too much about nobody else you know applying, I thought I was the only one from my college going there, it turned out there were six of us in the end! The accommodation is just you preference really, I'm living on Bulmershe atm and most people think its not very nice, it's not quite Mackinder, but theres nothing wrong with the rooms, plently of storage, en-suite, just a little dated!

Also, if I'm honest, when I went for the open day and interview, I really wasn't keen on the uni, I still don't know why, but I didnt end up with my first choice, so Reading it was! But.. It was probably the best thing that could ever happen, I LOVE Reading; the uni is beautiful, town has everything you need etc! I'm having the best time so far!

[Bubbles0ox]

(Original post by redaniel1)
I know people have given you lots of good feedback but I thought i'd brag about Reading a bit more!

Don't worry too much about nobody else you know applying, I thought I was the only one from my college going there, it turned out there were six of us in the end! The accommodation is just you preference really, I'm living on Bulmershe atm and most people think its not very nice, it's not quite Mackinder, but theres nothing wrong with the rooms, plently of storage, en-suite, just a little dated!

Also, if I'm honest, when I went for the open day and interview, I really wasn't keen on the uni, I still don't know why, but I didnt end up with my first choice, so Reading it was! But.. It was probably the best thing that could ever happen, I LOVE Reading; the uni is beautiful, town has everything you need etc! I'm having the best time so far!

thanks

[Hhan]

im a first year, reading was my firm as it was really good for my course, and I've got to say I absolutely love it here!
I'm in Dunsden crescent, which is catered ..and I can honestly say catered is one of the best decisions I ever made, (I'm not the best cook in the world), the new park eat restaurant where you take meals is lovely nothing like an old canteen which is usually associated with being catered, and the social aspect fromm being catered and taking meals together is actually the best, something you may not necessarily get if your self-catered.
Also, people often say being catered you r tied down with the times you wish to eat, but ive found it to be quite flexible and it works quite well!

[dcspike]

(Original post by Hhan)
im a first year, reading was my firm as it was really good for my course, and I've got to say I absolutely love it here!
I'm in Dunsden crescent, which is catered ..and I can honestly say catered is one of the best decisions I ever made, (I'm not the best cook in the world), the new park eat restaurant where you take meals is lovely nothing like an old canteen which is usually associated with being catered, and the social aspect fromm being catered and taking meals together is actually the best, something you may not necessarily get if your self-catered.
Also, people often say being catered you r tied down with the times you wish to eat, but ive found it to be quite flexible and it works quite well!

I agree fully!!, im in windsor and the food is actually pretty good and the facilities, (new bar, dining area ect...) are top notch!!

and as for flexibility it is perfect. you can have breakfast anywhere between 8 and 12, and dinner and lunch are also flexible...

[albion-mad-nick]

I'm also a Dunsden Crescent-dweller. It's expensive, but it's worth every penny. The rooms are decent quality, the bathroom (while a bit on the small side) is perfectly adequate, you get a proper kitchen despite being catered too. The food is sometimes a bit "questionable" but on the whole it's actually pretty good and filling.

The university itself is fantastic.