At Reading, we know that academic success is dependent on having the right support available along the way. For many years, University donors have given generously and enabled us to develop an effective support programme that bridges gaps and transforms lives.
Donors support every stage of the student journey. You can help someone take up their hard-earned place at Reading, make a difference during their course and help optimise their future employability.
Donors like you provide scholarships, fund wellbeing projects, and enable work experience opportunities. They also ensure emergency hardship support is available for students in crisis.
Right now, our priority is to support students who have been affected by the rapidly increasing cost of living.
Today’s students are facing financial challenges unlike any generation before them. Challenges they could never have prepared for, amidst rapidly changing circumstances.
The rapid rise in the cost of living is hitting students hard. A student loan isn’t enough to make ends meet. Paying the rent and finding money for essentials is now so much harder.
One in four students at Reading come from a low income background, so have no family safety net when they are under financial pressure.
The Student Support Fund provides emergency grants to students in crisis, when they have run out of other options and dropping out of university is a very real possibility. You can provide the necessities when students have no one else to turn to.
Students need your help now more than ever.
You can make a real difference, helping students in crisis to get back on track.
“Like so many, my family has felt the full force of strained finances. I would like to thank the donors who have helped me. I don’t know what I would have done without this support.”
Peter, second year undergraduate studying Pharmacy
Other ways you can support students at Reading
Scholarships make all the difference
Climate change, food security, poverty and equality are serious global threats, where solutions rely on global collaboration and shared knowledge.
Reading has a long and proud history of welcoming international students to our specialist postgraduate programmes that tackle these major global concerns. But the rising cost of living in the UK, visa restrictions on part-time work, and no access to UK government student loans make it more challenging than ever for international students to take up their hard-earned places.
You can help address the world’s most pressing problems by supporting scholarships for the change-makers of tomorrow.
“I became a donor because I wanted to give something back, and for my gifts to inspire others.”
Adrian Punaks, University of Reading graduate
Gaining work experience
In today’s increasingly competitive job market, a good degree isn’t always enough to stand out. Work experience can make all the difference to gaining confidence and transferable skills.
The Reading Internship Scheme provides office-based and remote work options for paid professional work experience. Donors support flexible internship options with charitable and not-for-profit organisations, giving Reading students the opportunity to also help others whilst they participate.
“I never expected to be doing remote internship work, but I’m very grateful. In a changing world where working from home becomes more common, I’m so glad I have had this experience.”
Ben Caddy, Community Engagement Intern for The Conservation Volunteers – Berkshire
Your support will provide vital opportunities and help give students the competitive edge.
Research internships are also available within the university, for talented students with a passion for problem solving.
The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP) provides the unique chance for students to gain hands-on experience, working alongside world experts in their subject.
Donors are helping discover the next big breakthroughs by providing research grants that allow students to work on exciting projects during the summer, then present and publish their findings.
This summer, Lotte Procter worked on excavated Anglo-Saxon skeletal remains, investigating whether the Marlow Warlord was a horseback rider.
“UROP was a fantastic experience: I did my own research and carried out tasks such as using the x-ray machine, looking for signs of pathology and what caused the unusual morphology of his hip.”
Lotte Procter, Archaeology student
You can support the next generation of researchers, igniting their passion for investigation.
How your gift will make a real difference:
- £5,000 will provide a vital scholarship for an international student
- £2,000 will enable an elite student athlete to compete at National Level
- £1,320 will fund an undergraduate research project or provide an internship with a local charity
- £800 will support a student-led community project
- £400 will fund a Digital Support Grant and provide essential IT equipment
- £80 will provide a core text book
- £47 will provide a student in crisis with hot meals on campus for a week.
