Student review [#18598] for Law
at University of Reading

Facilities – largely speaking the facilities are really good. Some buildings are older and more difficult to navigate than others, but certainly, the main campus buildings are all modern, comfortable, and student-friendly. Whilst I was a student there was a lack of study space at the library itself, though it was undergoing refurbishment to tackle this.

Accommodation – The University offers a wide range of accessible and affordable accommodation, both on campus and off it. Some of the on-campus options in particular are really nice and well kitted out for students. If you choose accommodation with a meal plan, the food is generally satisfactory. You will quickly learn which meals you like from the cafeteria and which you may choose to avoid.

Professors – The professors are, certainly in the Law department, one of the strongest selling points of the course. They are all incredibly helpful, fun, enthusiastic, and dedicated. Generally, they are relatively young meaning some have practical experience, some do not, but all are well versed in the new digital-teaching world.

Internationality – Being twinned with a University in Malaysia, Reading has a real focus on internationality. The international students, particularly on the Law course, we’re a fairly large part of the alumni. There were a great deal of opportunities to study and work abroad, and if that is a priority for you then studying at Reading could be ideal. Though having not been an international student myself, nor undertaken a study/work abroad scheme, I can only comment so much on their quality and functionality.

Location – Reading’s location is borderline perfect. It is not a huge, busy city meaning you get all the benefits of a campus university. Yet, it is still a large town with plenty of career links and working opportunities to pursue either on the side of your course or once it has finished. Being so close to the M4, you have handy links to London and other major businesses in the South. Reading is a little bit rough around the edges, but the student area and town centre is nice with plenty of shops, restaurants and is relatively cheap to live in.

Value – Based on the fact that Reading is not an attention-grabbing level University (it is well regarded but not in the top 10), to get your value out of your time there, it is really up to you. It is not like a degree from Oxford or UCL that speaks for itself; you will need to put yourself out there and take opportunities that are available. If you get plenty of training, experience, and new skills out of your course, then you will get value out of it.

Student Life – Student life at Reading is good. The campus is very green and open with plenty of space, making it a very sociable university. The students union is particularly good with lots of quiz nights and socials and becomes a club on Wednesdays and Saturdays, costing only about £5 to get in. The student campus bar (ParkBar), offers very reasonable prices for drinks and food. Pints will generally cost £3. Off-campus, the nightlife is…okay. Depending on what you’re used to, it may not be the best night out of your life, but it is generally a busy town with a good party atmosphere, especially around big occasions like Halloween.

Career prospects – It has good links with a couple of decent firms, and if you put yourself out there you can secure good work experience. However, it is not going to guarantee you any career prospects directly. Like I say, it does have good links to London and can put you in a good place to pursue your next step in life, but do not go presuming it is one of those universities which can guarantee a job within 6 months of you finishing.