17 March 2026 marks 100 years since the University of Reading was granted its Royal Charter and became a university. Since then we have had over 300,000 students graduate and become a part of our global alumni community.
This momentous milestone gives us the opportunity to celebrate our past and present achievements, which is why we are launching a new, year-long edition of CONNECTED – Your Story Is Our Story.
In this edition, we will share the collective stories and incredible achievements from our community, both locally and around the world, with the aim of inspiring the next generation to create change for a better future.
Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor, said:
“The University of Reading’s centenary is not just a reflection of our past, but a beacon guiding us towards a future filled with promise, innovation, and impact.
“Together, we will continue to shape a better world for the next hundred years and beyond.”
Your story is our story
We will be highlighting key milestones and stories from different decades throughout the next edition of our magazine. If you have an achievement, interesting story about other generations of alumni – for example in your family – or memory that you’d like to share with us, then we’d love to hear from you because… your story is our story.
Did you know…
…that our very first international student arrived at Reading in 1904? We now have more than 4,500 international students from over 160 countries, with global recruitment hubs in South Africa, Malaysia, India and China.
… that the Department of Meteorology was established in 1965? Of the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment of climate science, which is relied upon by policy makers around the world, six of the lead authors are from Reading and the department is leading the way in understanding and tackling the world’s environmental challenges.
…that our winning centenary logo was designed by Reading alumna, Hannah Milway, Head of Creative and Print Services at the University? Read more about Hannah’s experience at Reading and her passion for all things design and typography.
Get involved
Centenary Heritage Tours
To mark our centenary anniversary, we will be running a series of guided walks throughout 2026. Whether you are a long-standing member of our community or joining us for the first time, we invite you to walk with us, reflect on our journey and celebrate the heritage that has shaped our identity.
Find the full details of all the walks and register to join us.
