University of Reading
- Reading is located halfway between London and Oxford on the River Thames
- The University of Reading offers one of the most beautiful campuses in the UK, located on a former medieval manorial estate
- The Students' Union nightclub, shops, bars cafes and support facilities lie in the heart of the campus
The KU Great Britain Direct Exchange Program (GBDX) is designed to stimulate and enrich the intellectual development of KU students through a direct experience in the British academic and cultural environment, promoting friendship with Great Britain and broadening international horizons. To realize this mission, KU has signed direct exchange agreements with eleven universities in Great Britain, which allow KU students to study for a semester or year abroad at greatly reduced costs. In exchange, British students from these same universities will study for a semester or year at KU.
A student participating in the Great Britain Direct Exchange at the University of Reading may be one of a small number of KU students, or the only KU student, at Reading during a particular semester. Reading's Study Abroad Office is available to provide student support for KU students studying at Reading.
Classes begin in late September or early October and finish in early- to mid-June. Fall classes conclude in mid-December, and spring classes begin in early January. There is a spring break period that lasts just over three weeks in the middle of the spring semester.
Located halfway between London and Oxford on the River Thames, Reading is a place of real contrasts offering the buzz of city life with the calm of the countryside. Reading is an exciting, modern town with some of the best shopping and leisure facilities in the southeast. It is only 25 minutes by fast train from central London and there are excellent transport links to the main London airports of Heathrow and Gatwick.
The University of Reading is a medium-sized university, with about 12,500 students. Once part of a medieval manorial estate, Whitenights, it offers one of the most beautiful campuses in the UK, located about a mile and a half south of the center of Reading. The Faculties of Arts and Humanities, Economic and Social Sciences, Science and Life Sciences are set amidst 320 acres of landscaped grounds on the Whiteknights site.
Formerly the grounds of a stately home owned by the Marquis of Blandford, Whiteknights is 320 acres of beautiful landscaped parkland, a green oasis on the edge of vibrant city culture. Teaching and study facilities are grouped within easy reach of Halls of Residence. The Students' Union nightclub, shops, bars cafes and support facilities lie in the heart of the campus.
Students may earn up to 30 hours of KU credit for the year. Most disciplines are offered in the Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Business, Education and Health Fields. Students are encouraged to visit the University of Reading's website to determine if Reading offers the selection of courses to meet their graduation requirements.
Reading courses and grades will be posted as KU equivalents on your KU transcript and grades will figure into your KU GPA. The relevant KU academic department will make the final decision regarding posting of credit and grades, and their application toward graduation.
Learn about selecting courses at Reading: Reading Course Selection Guide (.pdf)
View Reading's Course Catalog: Reading Courses
See sample courses KU students have taken at Reading: Reading Course Equivalencies (.pdf)
Students live in university residence halls or student apartments on or near campus. In most cases students will have a single room and will share a common kitchen and bath. Students will have meals provided, prepare their own meals, or purchase meals at reduced cost in the university cafeteria, depending on their choice of residence.
SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.
Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.
Open to KU students who have achieved junior status by the beginning of the program and who have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Exceptions may be made for sophomores with high academic qualifications who meet the course prerequisites. Some academic departments at Reading may have additional requirements, including pre-requisites and number of credit hours completed.