Ranked

29th among UK

universities 1

98% of our research

is internationally recognised and 78% is internationally excellent 2

More than

40% reduction in carbon

emissions from 2008/09 baselines 3

1 Ranked29thbytheTimesHigherEducation‘BestUKUniversities’tablebasedontheTimesHigherEducationWorldUniversityRankings2020,whereReadingisranked201–250overall.

2 Basedonoursubmissionsjudgedtobeworldleading,internationallyexcellentandrecognisedinternationallyinoverallqualitybytheTimesHigherEducation’sanalysisoftheResearchExcellenceFramework,2014.

3 UniversityofReadingEnvironmentalSustainabilityReport2018/19.https://sites.reading.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/10/Environmental-and-Sustainability-Report-2018-19.pdf

4 TeachingExcellenceandStudentOutcomesFramework–OfficeforStudents,awardedfor2017–2021.5 NationalStudentSurvey(NSS)results,2019.83.72%roundedup.6 TheUniversityofReadingisranked93rdintheStonewallTop100employers2020.7 HESA2018/19StudentRecordandAggregateOffshoreRecord,figuresroundedtothenearestfive.

Awarded

Silver in the Teaching

Excellence Framework 4

84%overall

student satisfaction remains high, matching the sector average 5

We are a Stonewall

Top 100 Employer 6

22,480 students from around

175 countries 7

AT A GLANCE 2020

MyvisionfortheUniversityof Readingintheyearsleadinguptoourcentenaryin2026is,quitesimply,that it transformspeople’slivesthroughthe excellenceof oureducationandresearch.

1 UniversityofReadingEnvironmentalSustainabilityReport2018/19.https://sites.reading.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/10/Environmental-and-Sustainability-Report-2018-19.pdf

Ourworldisatacriticalpointandourabilitytoleadpositivechangecomesfromourcommunityholdingtrueto our values.

DevelopmentofthenewUniversityofReadingstrategyhas beenaprocessofco-creation –withcolleaguesacrosstheinstitution,withourstudentsand alumni,andourlocalpartnersandcommunity.Itrepresentsthethingsthataretrulyimportanttous–ourpeople,oursustainability,ourcommitmenttoexcellenceandourengagementwiththe worldaroundus.

Thelastyearhasseensuccessesin alltheseareas.The transformationofourlibraryiscomplete,andithasquicklybecomethevibrantheartof our community.

We achieveda40%reductioninourcarbonemissionsfrom2008/09baselines 1,oneofthelargestreductionsintheuniversitysector.Globally,ourMalaysiacampusisthefirst,andcurrentlyonly,overseascampusinMalaysiatoreceiveapprovaltoofferadegreeinlaw.AndthefirstcohortofstudentsfromourjointacademywiththeNanjingUniversityofInformationScienceandTechnologyin Chinahasrecentlyarrivedto studyherein theUK.

Morethanever,thereis a needfor institutionsliketheUniversityofReading,withasocialpurposethatextendsbeyondthepoliticalcycle,toengagepositivelywiththeworld.Thatis a challengeI am confidentwe can meet.

PROFESSOR ROBERT VAN DE NOORT VICE-CHANCELLOR

1860 The Schools of Art and Science are established in

Reading. In 1892, the two schools merge to form

University Extension College Reading, an extension

college of Christ Church, Oxford University.

1903 The College is organised into five groups: Letters and

Science, Agriculture, Horticulture, Fine Art and Music.

1904 Our first international student is welcomed and the

London Road site is donated by the Palmer family, of

Reading biscuit manufacturers Huntley & Palmer.

1908 Edith Morley is appointed professor, becoming the first

woman to receive this title at an English university.

1926 The University of Reading receives a Royal Charter

and with it the power to award our degrees.

Students carry the Vice‑Chancellor William Childs

aloft in celebration.

1945 Henley Management College is founded.

It is one of the first business schools in the UK.

1947 The University acquires Whiteknights campus,

a 300‑acre park, once owned by the Marquis

of Blandford.

1957 The Faculty of Letters (now the Edith Morley

building), the first academic building on the new

Whiteknights campus, is opened by HM The Queen.

1989 We are the first university to win the

Queen’s Award for Export Achievement.

2008 Henley Management College joins the University

of Reading, leading to the formation of the Henley

Business School.

2018 The University‑owned Thames Valley Science Park

opens the doors of its flagship ‘Gateway’ building

for business.

Forging successful overseas partnerships

Our joint Academy with the University of Reading and Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology was recently rated highly by a panel of Chinese Ministry of Education experts, the only one among those evaluated in this round to be exempt from evaluation for 7 years.

From 2018/19, the Academy has operated in six different subject areas. Two new undergraduate programmes, BSc Human and Physical Geography and BSc Data Science, were approved by the Ministry in December 2019, making it one of the largest and most diverse 1 joint institutes of its kind in China.

1 Intermsofthesubjectsoffered.

Streamlining travel

Professor James Ferryman is redefining how we get around by using travellers’ own smartphones as paperless travel documents. Using an app and innovative biometric technology, individuals can simply walk or drive through without stopping as necessary checks are made automatically. This new approach can undertake checks quickly and accurately, reducing queues and frustration, and will soon be trialled at a land border in Poland and at London’s St Pancras Eurostar station.

CommunityCommunity ExcellenceExcellence SustainabilitySustainability Engaged UniversityEngaged University

It’s no accident that community is the first of our strategic principles.

The skills, diversity and commitment of our people are our chief strength, and must remain the starting point for our engagement with the world. We currently

operate five diversity networks to support and promote inclusion amongst staff – the Parent and Family, LGBT plus, Women@Reading, Staff Disability and BAME networks. A Wellbeing Peer Support network also exists to provide confidential advice and information.

Wetransformlivesbyfocusingonexcellenceineducationandresearchlocally,nationallyandglobally,creatinganenvironmentwhereourstudentsandstaffcanexcelacademicallyandpersonally.

Weworktogethertomakethebestuseofourresourcestoensureoursustainability,fromreviewinghowweoperatetoensurefinancialsustainabilitytoplayingourpartintacklingclimatechange.

TheUniversityisadiverseandinclusivecommunityusingitsknowledgeandskillstosolveproblemsandcreateopportunitiesforthebenefitofpeopleandtheplanet.Colleaguesandstudentsworkandstudyin a fulfillingsettingthatsupportstheirdevelopment.

Responsible management of our resources extends beyond our finances.

Our world-leading research in climate change and environmental science are a critically important way for us to deliver change in the world. We also have a long-standing commitment to align these research strengths with how we manage our estate and community. To fulfil our long-term ambition to be the ‘greenest’ university in the UK, we have committed to genuine carbon neutrality by 2030 and, in 2020, our entire investment portfolio will be divested from fossil fuel companies.

Environmental sustainability: a priority at every level

Our goal to be a leader in global environmental sustainability is evidenced at all levels of our community and structure. Over 80% of the waste from the Students’ Union 2019 Summer Ball was recycled, including all plastic cups, bottles, cardboard packaging

1 BasedonRUSU’sowninternaldata

and glass. In 2020 the Union is setting its sights even higher and aiming to recycle over 95% of waste from the Ball 1.

Multiple food outlets on campus also now provide a range of groceries, fresh fruit and vegetables, household items and snacks with an emphasis on re-fill stations, zero waste and reducing plastic.

Security for farmers

Millions of smallholder farmers across Africa now look forward to a more secure future thanks to satellite-derived estimates of rainfall that are helping insurance companies provide effective cover against drought. Rather than compensating for proven crop losses, Professor Emily Black’s data underpins weather index insurance which pays out if cumulative rainfall – as measured from satellite data rather than rain gauges – drops below a pre-agreed threshold. Now many more farmers can get cover and the service is being rolled out across Africa.

Equipping local mothers

‘Marvellous Mums’ and ‘Marvellous Me’ are programmes created by Professor Carol Fuller and Dr Maria Kambouri-Danos, funded by the University in partnership with Whitley Community Development Association, Sure Start, and the Reading job centre, with support from Alok Sharma.

Their goal is to improve self confidence by providing practical support, such as teaching interview techniques and goal-setting skills to local women. Professor Fuller says: “We are so happy to be empowering women to define their own paths in life. For me the work we do here is one of the biggest joys of my job.”

Working with the NHS

Physician Associates (PA) support doctors in the diagnosis and management of patients and are in high demand across the country. Our Physician Associate programmes at Reading have been developed in partnership with local NHS groups in response to the growing demand for this professional role. Our first cohort of postgraduate students graduated in 2017 and since then, we have had a 100% pass rate on the national exams for two years running, with all of our graduates finding PA jobs within the NHS.

Weworkwithpartnerstoplayapositiveroleinthelifeofourlocalcommunities,andusetheseconnectionstostrengthenourworkaroundtheworld.Publicengagementandconsultation,includinginresearch,is a centralpartofhowweliveandwork.

Academic Tutor System

Our Academic Tutor System sees tutors work in partnership with students to support their academic, personal and professional development throughout their degree.

The scheme has been described as "sector leading" 1, and helps students make important decisions relating to their course, reflect on academic progress and better understand and make use of feedback. Tutors also signpost students to our support services, such as Study Advice, our Student Welfare Team or Counselling & Wellbeing Service if needed.

1 TestimonialfromtheUKAdvisingandTutoringGroupinresponsetoaUoRpresentationonourAcademicTutorSystem,on12April2019;https://twitter.com/UKAT_Edu/status/1116702554388402177

Alcohol Awareness

Support in our community can take many different forms. In autumn 2019, we launched a campus-wide alcohol awareness campaign, to encourage our students to take a responsible and informed approach to alcohol.

We have worked closely with external partners, including Reading Borough Council, to create a University Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP). Activities include running interactive workshops and distributing lined unit measuring glasses and self-assessment scratch cards, with an increased focus on alcohol-free social events.

4,173 members of staff 58% are female 14% are from black and minority ethnic backgrounds 2

Across all levels of study 55% of our students

are female, 36% are from black and minority ethnic backgrounds and 12% have declared a disability 3

2 Basedoninternaldata.3 HESA2018/19StudentRecordandAggregate

OffshoreRecord.

Our National Teaching Fellows

Excellent teaching is central to our students’ experience at Reading. We are proud to have a growing number of National Teaching Fellows and in 2019 two more of our academics were recognised with these prestigious awards.

Dr Yota Dimitriadi Associate Professor in TEL & Computing in Education

As well as working with the next generation of Computer Science teachers, Yota helps students across programmes at the Institute of Education (IoE) to reflect on how digital technologies can enhance inclusive classroom learning and self-care practices.

Professor Yelena Kalyuzhnova Vice‑Dean, Henley Business School

Yelena’s priority is to provide relevant, authentic, experiential learning experiences for students. She believes in supplementing classroom teaching with interactive opportunities that help broaden students’ perspectives and develop the business experts of the future.

80% of graduates in full-time work are in professional or managerial roles.

94% of graduates are in work or further study six months after graduating. 1

1 Basedonthe2016–17DestinationsofLeaversfromHigherEducation(DLHE)surveyof2779UniversityofReadingFirstDegreeLeavers,of which73%responded.

1390 individual solar panels installed across our campuses 2

15.5% reduction in waste per person 3

2 UniversityofReadingEnvironmentalSustainabilityReport2018/19.https://sites.reading.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/10/Environmental-and-Sustainability-Report-2018-19.pdf

3 UniversityofReadingEnvironmentalSustainabilityReport2018/19.https://sites.reading.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/10/Environmental-and-Sustainability-Report-2018-19.pdf

Over 6,300 hours volunteered through our ‘Students in Schools’ scheme 2

More than 350 students volunteered in local schools, raising awareness of higher education, the aspirations of pupils and their attainment.

In the top 100 for international outlook 3

53% of all research publications from 2014–2019 were a result of international collaboration 4

Over 1 million enrolments on our free online courses 5

2 Basedoninternaldata:https://sitesb.reading.ac.uk/sis/

3 TimesHigherEducationWorldUniversityRankings2020–scoresrankedbyInternationalOutlook

4 52.7%roundedupbasedonSciValdatafrom2014–2019.

5 BasedoninternaldatafromtheOpenOnlineCoursesteam.

Academic excellence and enhanced student outcomes are driven by our curriculum.

Our Curriculum Framework articulates the distinctiveness of the curriculum, and the skills and attributes of the Reading graduate.