About the university
The University of Reading was founded more than 100 years ago and received its Royal Charter in 1926. It is a research university whose main campus, Whiteknights, received its 16th consecutive Green Flag Award in 2026.
Reading is home to Henley Business School and its ICMA Centre for finance, which teach many of the master's courses Indian students choose, such as MSc Finance, MSc Management, MSc International Business and MSc Digital Business and Data Analytics. It is also known for food science, meteorology and climate science, and construction management.
Indian students look at Reading for its strong rankings (=196 in the QS World University Rankings 2027), automatic Master's Excellence Scholarships of £4,000 to £10,000, and a location close to London. Fees are higher than at many newer universities: most business master's are £28,150 to £30,800 a year for 2027/28.
Reading is a large town in the Thames Valley tech cluster, with companies such as Microsoft and Oracle nearby. Trains reach London Paddington in about 23 minutes, and the Elizabeth line runs to Heathrow.
- Founded
- Over 100 years ago; became an independent university with its Royal Charter in 1926
- Type
- Public research university
- Total students
- More than 27,000 students from 147 countries across all campuses (university figure); 16,755 in THE World University Rankings 2027 data
- International students
- 29% of students (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 16.3 to 1 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Campuses
- Reading (Whiteknights), Henley-upon-Thames, Johannesburg and Iskandar in Malaysia
- Intakes
- September for most master's courses; some construction and project management courses also start in February
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
=196 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
=219 in the world
Complete University Guide (UK) 2027
43rd of 130 UK universities
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
MSc Data Science and Advanced Computing
- Fee / year
- £32,850
- Duration
- 12 months (full time)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no element below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
MSc Digital Business and Data Analytics
- Fee / year
- £28,650
- Duration
- 12 months (full time)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no component below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
MSc Applied Artificial Intelligence for Business
- Fee / year
- £28,650
- Duration
- 12 months (full time)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no component below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £30,250
- Duration
- 12 months (full time)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no component below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £30,250
- Duration
- 12 months (full time)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no component below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £30,250
- Duration
- 12 months (full time)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no component below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £27,450
- Duration
- 12 months (full time)
- Intakes
- September; February
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no element below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
MSc Finance, FinTech and Data Analytics
- Fee / year
- £30,250
- Duration
- 12 months (full time)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no component below 5.5)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (GBP) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Data Science and Advanced Computing | 12 months (full time) | £32,850 | ≈ ₹40.1 lakh |
| MSc Digital Business and Data Analytics | 12 months (full time) | £28,650 | ≈ ₹35 lakh |
| MSc Applied Artificial Intelligence for Business | 12 months (full time) | £28,650 | ≈ ₹35 lakh |
| MSc Management | 12 months (full time) | £30,250 | ≈ ₹36.9 lakh |
| MSc Finance | 12 months (full time) | £30,250 | ≈ ₹36.9 lakh |
| MSc International Business | 12 months (full time) | £30,250 | ≈ ₹36.9 lakh |
| MSc Project Management | 12 months (full time) | £27,450 | ≈ ₹33.5 lakh |
| MSc Finance, FinTech and Data Analytics | 12 months (full time) | £30,250 | ≈ ₹36.9 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at University of Reading with similar universities in the UK.
Scholarships
- Taught master's starting in 2027/28
Master's Excellence Scholarship 2027/28
Value: £10,000 (first-class degree), £9,000 (2:1) or £4,000 (2:2) off tuition fees
Eligibility: International fee payers with at least a UK lower second-class degree or equivalent. Awarded automatically from your application and shown in your offer letter.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Finance or accounting master's starting in 2027
Women in Finance and Accounting Scholarship (Henley Business School)
Value: £2,000 tuition fee discount (up to 15 awards)
Eligibility: Home and international students starting a finance or accounting programme at Henley Business School in 2027.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Selected climate-related master's courses
Climate Stripes Scholarship
Value: £10,000 in total (£5,000 off fees and a £5,000 living-cost grant)
Eligibility: Eligible international students on selected climate master's courses.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - International Foundation Programme or Foundation Year
International Foundation Excellence Scholarship
Value: £5,000 off tuition fees
Eligibility: Eligible international students starting a foundation programme.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Indian applicants need Class XII with an average of 70% to 83% for most courses, depending on the course's grade profile.
- Students below the direct-entry level can apply for the International Foundation Programme (September or January entry).
- Apply through UCAS for undergraduate courses.
Postgraduate
- Master's courses accept a three-year (or longer) bachelor's degree from a recognised Indian university.
- The grade needed ranges from 50% to 85%, or a GPA of 6.0 to 8.5 out of 10, depending on the institution you studied at.
- MSc Data Science and Advanced Computing normally asks for at least a high 2:2 in computing or a related subject such as mathematics, engineering or economics.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Degree certificate and transcripts
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- English test score or Class 12 English mark
- Personal statement
- References and CV where the course asks for them
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall with no component below 5.5 is the general requirement. Some courses, such as Pharmacy and Nutrition, need 6.5 with no component below 6.0. |
| Class 12 English | 70% in Standard XII English from CBSE or ICSE, or 75% from all other boards, is accepted. |
| PTE Academic | 69 overall with at least 59 in each component (69 with 64 in each for courses needing higher component scores). |
| TOEFL iBT | 88 overall, with at least 17 in Listening and Writing, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking. |
| Duolingo English Test | 125 overall with no subscore below 100, or lower scores combined with an online pre-sessional English course. |
Accommodation and living costs
The university offers standard, upgraded, townhouse, en suite and self-contained rooms in halls on or near campus. Flats are often chosen by postgraduates. Prices below are 2026/27 weekly rates.
| Item | In GBP | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Standard room (shared bathroom)2026/27 | £166–235per week | ≈ ₹20,291 – ₹28,652 |
| Upgraded room with washbasin2026/27 | £180–244per week | ≈ ₹22,008 – ₹29,796 |
| En suite room2026/27 | £217–295per week | ≈ ₹26,483 – ₹36,030 |
| Flats and self-contained rooms2026/27; popular with postgraduates and families | £285–365per week | ≈ ₹34,783 – ₹44,493 |
Campus and location
The main Whiteknights campus is a large green campus in Reading, with halls, teaching buildings and sports facilities. Henley Business School also has a campus at Henley-upon-Thames.
- Whiteknights received its 16th consecutive Green Flag Award in 2026.
- Henley Business School and its ICMA Centre teach most of the business and finance master's on this page.
- SportsPark, museums, a cinema and public events on campus.
- International campuses in Malaysia (opened 2015) and Johannesburg.
- Trains from Reading reach London Paddington in about 23 minutes.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Reading sits in the Thames Valley tech cluster, and many master's courses include optional placements or professional training (for example CFA preparation on ICMA Centre courses). See our UK guide for post-study work rules.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| International students as a share of all students | 29% | THE World University Rankings 2027 |
Studying in the UK
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in the UK. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much does a master's at Reading cost?
For 2027/28 the standard international fee is £27,450 for non-laboratory courses and £32,850 for laboratory courses. Henley Business School and ICMA Centre master's on this page cost £28,150 to £30,800.
Will I get a scholarship automatically?
Yes, most likely. The Master's Excellence Scholarship is given automatically to international students with at least a 2:2 equivalent: £4,000 for a 2:2, £9,000 for a 2:1 and £10,000 for a first.
Can I use my Class 12 English marks instead of IELTS?
Reading accepts 70% in Standard XII English from CBSE or ICSE, or 75% from other boards. Check your course page in case it needs higher scores.
What percentage do I need in my bachelor's?
The India page says 50% to 85% (or GPA 6.0 to 8.5 out of 10), depending on your university. A three-year bachelor's degree is accepted.
Is there a January intake?
Most master's start in September. MSc Project Management, MSc Construction Management and MSc Renewable Energy also start in February.
Sources
- University of Reading: MSc Data Science and Advanced Computing (2027/28) (opens in a new tab)
- Henley Business School: MSc Management (opens in a new tab)
- ICMA Centre: MSc Finance (opens in a new tab)
- University of Reading: international postgraduate fees (opens in a new tab)
- University of Reading: India country information (opens in a new tab)
- University of Reading: English language requirements (opens in a new tab)
- University of Reading: Master's Excellence Scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- University of Reading: international scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- University of Reading: accommodation room types (opens in a new tab)
- University of Reading: about the university (opens in a new tab)
- THE World University Rankings 2027: University of Reading (opens in a new tab)
- Complete University Guide 2027 league table (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.reading.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details