Student Accommodation near University of Reading

The University of Reading is one of the most respected universities in the South East of England and welcomes thousands of students every year to become part of its vibrant and diverse student community. One of the main challenges students face even before arriving in the country is finding the right student accommodation in Reading. Although there are several excellent options to choose from, like Kendrick Hall, Berkshire House, and 79 Silver Street, finding the best student rental based on your individual needs can be quite a hassle.

This is where University Living comes into the picture. With over a decade of experience in the international student accommodation industry, we have helped over 12 million students to date find the right student accommodation in over 640 cities worldwide. ULInfinity also helps students transition into a new phase of their life by providing critical services like international SIM cards, airport transfers, flight tickets, and forex. Some of the top neighbourhoods for student accommodation near the University of Reading are Wessex, Wantage, Whiteknights, and London Road, and the starting rent for student housing is just £110 per week!

Student accommodation near the University of Reading comes in various types, namely: University Student Halls, Student Housing (PBSAs), and Private Apartments. These property types are standard across all student accommodation in UK. University of Reading student halls are accommodations provided directly by the university, but they are quite limited in number and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. For off-campus accommodation, students can choose from a range of room types, including En-Suite / Non En-Suite, Studio apartments, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and shared apartments.

Founded in 1892 as the University College, Reading, the University of Reading is a public research university located in Reading, and has a strong reputation for academic excellence, world-leading research, and outstanding graduate employability. The university holds a Silver rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and has been consistently ranked among the top 40 universities in the UK.

The university is home to roughly 17,000 to 19,000 students, and a vibrant international community with students representing over 150 countries. The university has several campuses, including:

• Whiteknights Campus

• London Road Campus

• Greenlands Campus

The university is particularly famous for the Henley Business School, which holds the triple crown of accreditations of AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS. The university is also known for its School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, the School of Law, the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, the School of Biological Sciences, and the Department of Computer Science. The university is home to the Museum of English Rural Life and the famous Meteorology Department.

There are several excellent student accommodation near University of Reading, including Kendrick Hall, Berkshire House, and 79 Silver Street. Although students have plenty of housing choices available, not every property suits the specific needs of University of Reading students. A quality student accommodation should meet several key criteria, such as being within walking distance of the campus, offering reasonably priced rent, and covering utility bills like electricity, water, gas, and Wi-Fi in the rent. Therefore, below highlighted are the top 5 student rooms near the University of Reading that meet all of these criteria and are truly loved by students.

79 Silver Street, Reading

• Address: 79 Silver Street, Reading, RG1 2SU

• Distance from University: Around 7-minute bus ride from The University of Reading

• Property highlights: Students enjoy a karaoke room, a cinema room, a lounge area, and a study room.

• Best for: Students who are looking for comfortable student accommodation with great transport connectivity and proximity to the university! This apartment also has some of the best studio apartments Reading.

• Nearby attractions: Reading Abbey Ruins, Forbury Gardens, Reading Museum, and The Oracle

Berkshire House, Reading

• Address: 252-256 Kings Road, Reading, RG1 4HP

• Distance from University: Around 8-minute bus ride from The University of Reading

• Property highlights: Students get to use a private dining area, a pool table, a fully equipped gym, and a common lounge.

• Best for: Students looking for good amenities and are willing to pay slightly higher rent, with proximity to the university

• Nearby attractions: Palmer Park, Royal Berkshire Medical Museum, King's Meadow, and Caversham Court Gardens

Kendrick Hall, Reading

• Address: 4 Crown Pl, Reading RG1 5AE, United Kingdom

• Distance from University: Around a 6-minute bus ride from The University of Reading

• Property highlights: Students enjoy a games room, an outdoor courtyard, and a lounge area.

• Best for: Students who wish to stay in a PBSA with great amenities, on-site maintenance, and proximity to the university.

• Nearby attractions: Reading Town Hall, Forbury Gardens, Reading Abbey Ruins, and Minster Church of St Mary the Virgin

191 Kings Road, Reading

• Address: 191, Kings Road, Reading RG1 4EX, UK

• Distance from University: Around 8-minute bus ride from The University of Reading

• Property highlights: Students enjoy Weekly Cleaning, a breakfast bar, a washing machine, and a dining area.

• Best for: Best suited for students who love to pursue a hobby in their free time, and want to live close to the university

• Nearby attractions: Palmer Park, Harris Garden, Thames Valley Park, and Caversham Bridge

Crown House, Reading

• Address: 10 Crown Street, Reading, RG1 2SE

• Distance from University: Around a 6-minute bus ride from The University of Reading

• Property highlights: Students enjoy a pool table, a foosball table, a table tennis, and a games area.

• Best for: Students looking for low-budget student accommodation

• Nearby attractions: The Oracle, Reading Abbey Ruins, Forbury Gardens, and Reading Museum

The monthly cost of living for students near University of Reading typically falls between £900 and £1,750. This range reflects the fact that the cost of living in Reading is more affordable than London but remains one of the pricier towns in the South East of England, partly due to its excellent commuter links to the capital. Although living expenses vary from person to person, it's important to understand that if students create a realistic budget and stick to it, they can comfortably get through a month in Reading for well under £900. The table below highlights some of the key expenses students might expect to incur during their time in the town.

Students must note that these figures are tentative and might change based on their actual expenses and lifestyle. To get a better idea of the cost of living near University of Reading, students can use University Living's exclusive Cost of Living Calculator.

Another significant expense for students in the town is tuition fees at University of Reading. The fees for domestic students are capped at £9,790 per annum, while the tuition fees for international students are outlined briefly below:

Some of the best areas near University of Reading for students include Wessex, Wantage, Whiteknights, and London Road. These neighbourhoods are located in close proximity to the university and therefore help reduce transportation costs for students. The best part about these areas is that they already have a well-established student community, so students can reach out to their peers in case of any emergencies or concerns. A brief overview of these neighbourhoods is provided below:

Whiteknights

One of the best neighbourhoods for student accommodation near University of Reading is Whiteknights, and can be accessed within 5 minutes from any place in the area. This is a sprawling area which is spread across 120-hectares, and has received 15 consecutive Green Flag awards, which makes it one of Britain’s top green spaces. Whiteknights has a huge vibrant student community, and a hub for the students of the university. One of the best places in the area is Park Eat and Bar, and is one of the most popular bars in the neighbourhood. This lively venue also offers great Italian street food, stir fries, and curries. Another one of the most visited places in the locality is Harris Garden, which is a beautiful garden within the campus grounds, and is just perfect for a peaceful study break or a relaxing walk. The average rent for student properties in Whiteknights ranges between £1200 and £1500 per month.

London Road

Another one of the top areas for student accommodation near University of Reading is London Road, which is located a short 10-minute walk away from the university. Students living here enjoy a quieter residential environment while still being within easy reach of campus facilities and Reading town centre. The locality also boasts great transport connectivity to the rest of the city. One of the most visited places in the locality is Seoul Plaza, a famous Korean food store located within the Students' Union building, which offers authentic Asian groceries. The Botanist is also a popular pub in the locality, which is known for its botanical-themed cocktails and live music. The average rent for student accommodation in London Road ranges between £1100 and £1300 per month.

Wantage

One of the top localities for University of Reading student accommodation is Wantage, which is located a short 15-minute walk away from the university. This neighbourhood is located on the eastern edge of the Whiteknights campus, and gives easy access to students to the university. The area is known for its attractive period buildings and quieter streets, making it popular with students who appreciate a more settled atmosphere. One of the best places to visit in the locality is Caversham Bridge, which is a scenic walk along the River Thames, connecting to the charming suburb of Caversham. The locality is also home to one of the popular gastropub in Reading, The Lyndhurst, and is known for its Sunday roasts and relaxed atmosphere. The rent for student rentals in Wantage ranges between £900 and £1200 per month.

Wessex

One of the most sought-after areas for affordable student accommodation near University of Reading is Wessex, which is located a short 10-minute walk away from the campus. The area is known for its friendly, social atmosphere, with many students choosing these halls for their balance of affordability and convenience. One of the most visited places in the neighbourhood is SportsPark, the university's sports facility, which features a gym, swimming pool, and fitness classes. The central campus library is also located pretty close to the locality and offers extensive study spaces and resources. The Shop is a convenience store for essentials groceries, snacks, and university merchandise, and is frequented by students on weekends. The average rent for student flats in Wessex ranges between £800 and £1000 per month.

Reading is home to over 160,000 residents, and to make daily commuting easier for students and residents in the town, Reading has developed an extensive public transport network, which includes Reading Buses services and the train services. These modes of public transport have been explained briefly below:

White Knight 20

The White Knight 20 is an express bus service run and operated by Reading Buses, dedicated solely to the University of Reading. Launched in September 2024, these services are relatively new and have gained a lot of popularity among students. Buses operate every 10 minutes from the Reading Town Centre to the university main campus, and covers this distance in an astonishing under 15 minutes or less.

Train Services

A mainline railway station in the UK, Reading railway station is located right in the heart of the city centre, and provides direct connectivity to the major cities in the United Kingdom, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff, Bristol, and Exeter. The journey from Reading to London is around 36 miles long, and the train services cover this distance in typically under an hour. These services are operated and managed by the Great Western Railway.