University of Reading Accommodation 2017/18 - FAQ

Hi,

I am currently looking into what hall to choose. I want a hall that is on campus, close to the main academic buildings but most of all i want a hall that is known for having the best social/being the most liveliest.

I am torn on what should be my first choice between Childs/Mackinder (as they are park group/en suite) or Windsor, as i have heard that the flats are the largest and the social there is really good. Was wondering if you could give a little bit more info on each of them and what would be the best choice?

How is the food? Are there allotted times for breakfast/lunch/dinner? And did you ever find yourself having to rush around trying to get back to campus so you didn't miss any of the meal times?

Hello,
I would like to know if McCombie is mainly for undergraduate students? So far I see the comments for McCombie is that is provided for postgraduate students? Because I would like to live in Park group with a en-suite small bed room and McCombie is the only option?
Thank you!!

No worries, I know a bunch of undergraduate students living in Mccombie, the postgraduates live mostly in Greenow. You have the same chances of living with postgrads in any other halls, so i dont think you should worry about it at all!

Thanks! Are they mostly first year students?

Hi

Just wondering how students based in the Sherfield/Benyon area find walking to campus? I just found out most of my lectures will probably be in the Palmer Building for first year, which is a fair distance away.

And also, going back to halls after union nights, how do people cope?

Hi,

I was wondering if you could provide any information about the studio rooms and/or one bedroom flats available at St. George's Hall? There is only one small picture of a studio room (which doesn't show much), and I cannot find any other information, descriptive or photographic. For example, what facilities are actually provided in the kitchen/kitchenette; what roughly is the layout/size of the room/flat. (Essentially I'm trying to gauge whether it would be personally worth the additional rent over).

Also, are these rooms or this hall in general typically mainly occupied by undergraduates or postgraduates?

Many thanks for any insight!

Sorry that I couldn't provide any more information about studio and one bedroom flats but if you do have more questions about Reading and university feel free to ask!

Hi,
I'm looking to choose Reading as my firm choice, although I wanted to know if its possible to live in halls for the first year and if its proving too difficult for me, can I live at home for the second year, and vice versa. Thanks in advance.

Hi ,
I'm an international student and hopefully would be joining Reading this September, if things play out as planned.
I have a question on the average how much would I have to spend a week on accommodation if I stay on school accommodation versus how much I would probably spend on accommodation of I stay off campus( I'm aware bills are normally not reflected in off campus weekly billing). My lectures would hold at Henley Business School, Whiteknight campus.
Please Note: The accommodation I have in mind is a decent ensuite room with shared kitchen.
Thanks

Hi

On campus we have a range of types of accommodation. For a standard ensuite room: the cost is around £143.50 a week at the moment. Each year it may drop or fall a little bit. However for this September that should be the cost.
If you want a slightly bigger room with a double bed and en suite the cost is £164.64 so is slightly more expensive.
Yes you are right the bills are included in the university accommodation.
I will put the link in so you can see the different room types on the university website:
https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/accommodation/university-accommodation/types-of-room/en-suite-room.aspx
However, there is a bit more variance of prices for houses off campus. This is all sorted out through estate agents and the price depends on the size of house or number of people. Sorting a house out would be a bit more complicated as you would need to find enough people who needed a house too.
At the moment I live in a house with four other people and pay around £20-£30 a month for bills. Rent as I have already said does depend on the house size and location and estate agent. The rent can range from £400-£500 a month roughly. Usually the contract is for 12 months (it is for mine).
The rent often starts in July until the following July so you are paying throughout the summer for the accommodation regardless of whether you are living there or not.
I know that is a lot of information to take in!
Take a look at the website and estate agents in Reading that cater for students.

Any further questions feel free to ask!
Sophie
Second year Philosophy student

Thanks Sophie,
I'm gratefu for the shared information. From the looks of things I would most likely stay off campus. As I for one would want a place were I can move out on short notice and one that wouldn't require me paying the 50+ rent at a go.
Personally I'm a very spontaneous person hence might wake one morning and decide to change my accommodation, the University halls tends to lock one in for a year at least(I presume).
Would be really glad if there are sites you could share with me that offer ensuite rooms with shared kitchen. It could be townhouses or students accommodation. I'm quite social,so not too bothered on getting along with people.

Hi, was just wondering what Stenton and McCombie is like for 1st year undergrad? Also, how does bringing a guest to stay round work? Cheers

Hello

Stenton and McCombie are both in Park Group accommodation - so near to Park bar and by the centre of campus. They are really convenient, close to laundry facilities and the reception and post collection services, and also very sociable. You are about 10 minutes from the centre of campus (for library and lecture rooms etc) and also 10-15 minutes from the gym and students union.

I have a friend living in Stenton at the moment and she really enjoys it, here you have a premium en-suite room with a 4ft bed and en-suite shower (as apposed to wetroom in standard en-suite). You share your kitchen with between 8 and 10 people, which I think is a nice number and sociable!

McCombie gives you a standard en-suite room (meaning the bed is slightly smaller) and you share your kitchen with between 6 and 9 people. It is very close to Windsor hall so you do a lot of the Freshers events with them, so it means you can easily socialise between other halls. There are slightly more returners (2nd and 3rd year students) in these halls, but you will always be on a corridor with other undergraduates

In terms of having people to stay, that is fine -you just have to sign them in at reception (for fire safety) and they can stay for 3 nights. You can also sign in guests over 18 to go to the students union nightclub on Wednesday or Saturday nights with you at a cost of £5 a ticket.

Hope this helps, and if you have anymore questions feel free to ask!

Alice
2nd Year Food Science Student