Enhance your degree and University experience by participating in the many extracurricular opportunities available to Undergraduate students at Reading. Do more of what you enjoy or step out of your comfort zone to try something new. Gain experience and maximise your employability by developing skills in addition to those you develop through your studies.
Our handy timeline presents all opportunities in one place with a guide to the starting and opening times to help you plan your year.
First years
Red awards: Get an employability skills certificate to recognise your extra-curricular engagement.
The Reading Experience and Development Awards are the University of Reading’s Official Skills Awards. They will help you to enhance your experience at the university whilst developing your skills and will give employers key examples of where you have put these skills into action.
Study smart: Our Free online course will prepare you for the best possible start to your studies here.
Learn a language: Choose from 10 different languages to start as a beginner or at a more advanced level.
Reading Students’ Union Elections: Boost your network and confidence whilst representing students’ interest on your course, in your school and in your students’ union.
Reading Students' Union Give it a Go Sessions: Sports Clubs and Societies run Give It a Go taster sessions at the start of each year so you can try as many as you like before becoming a member. Find out which Clubs and Societies are available.
Partnerships in Learning & Teaching (PLanT): Do you have an idea to enhance teaching and learning in your school/dept? Apply for funding to support your project
Professional placement year: Apply now for an opportunity to gain professional work experience on a year-long placement
Reading Students’ Union main elections: Nominate yourself for a paid full-time officer role or one of the voluntary part-time roles, including officers and students trustees
Study abroad: Spend some time studying or working abroad (deadline end of jan)
STaR Mentor: Apply to help support new students transition to university life before and during their start at Reading.
STaR Mentors are current students that have been trained to help new students with their start at Reading. Mentors contact new students by email before they start and in person during the first term.
Middle years
Thrive mentoring: Chat to and learn from a professional career mentor.
Thrive is a career and future focused mentoring program that matches you with a successful professional mentor in an industry of your choosing. You will have a minimum 1 hour meeting with your mentor per month for 3-9 months, where they can provide support and guidance for your career plans and aspirations.
Reading Students’ Union elections: Boost your network and confidence whilst representing students’ interest on your course, in your school and in your Students’ Union.
Reading Students' Union Give it a Go Sessions: Sports Clubs and Societies run Give It a Go taster sessions at the start of each year so you can try as many as you like before becoming a member. Find out which Clubs and Societies are available.
Partnerships in learning and teaching (PLanT): Do you have an idea to enhance teaching and learning in your School/Dept? Apply for funding to support your project.
Professional placement year: Apply now for an opportunity to gain professional work experience on a year-long placement.
Study Abroad: Spend some time studying or working abroad (Deadline end of Jan)
Peer Assisted learning: Apply to lead informal sessions for students in younger years to help better understand lecture content in modules you’ve already taken.
Reading Students’ Union main elections: Nominate yourself for a paid full-time officer role or one of the voluntary part-time roles, including officers and students trustees.
Study Abroad: Spend some time studying or working abroad (deadline end of Jan).
STaR Mentor: Apply to help support new students transition to university life before and during their start at Reading.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities programme (UROP): Get hands-on research experience by working on projects alongside academic staff.
Final year
Thrive mentoring: You chat to and learn from a professional career mentor.
Reading Students’ Union Elections: Boost your network and confidence whilst representing students’ interest on your course, in your school and in your students’ union.
Reading Students' Union Give it a Go Sessions: Sports Clubs and Societies run Give It a Go taster sessions at the start of each year so you can try as many as you like before becoming a member. Find out which Clubs and Societies are available.
Partnerships in Learning & Teaching (PLanT): Do you have an idea to enhance teaching and learning in your school/dept? Apply for funding to support your project.
All years, all year round
Earn some money with Campus Jobs, whilst gaining experience, and helping the University deliver its services. Campus Jobs aims to provide students with a safe and flexible place to work, with the chance to gain invaluable experience, meet new friends, and feel part of the wider University community.
Attend a range of employer events and fairs, and book a one-to-one appointment to discuss your career goals with the Careers Team.
The Careers team provide virtual and in-person support for students, alumni, employers and academic staff of the University. The Careers reception, is located on the first floor of the Carrington building and is open Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm and Fridays 9am-4:30pm for any enquiries.
The Counselling and Wellbeing Team provide specialist mental health support.
The Disability Advisory Service provides information, advice and guidance to current students and applicants who register with their service due to a disability, specific learning difference, long term medical or mental health condition.
The Life Tools programme is a series of interactive workshops that help you develop your skills, such as building resilience and confidence.
The Life Tools programme is a series of free talks designed by experts to help you transition into university life and enhance your student experience. The programme allows you to be proactive and take control of your learning, personal and professional development.
Gain paid professional work experience with the Reading Internship Scheme.
The Reading Internship Scheme is the University of Reading's internship scheme; it's exclusive to University of Reading undergraduate students and gives you the opportunity to undertake paid internships with businesses. These range between 4-8 weeks part time.
Reading Students' Union Advice Service- Reading Students Union offers free, confidential and independent advice on debt, welfare benefits, money, housing and academic matters.
Societies and clubs- Broaden your experience or even take on a position of responsibility to enhance your CV with Reading Student Union societies.
Broaden your experience or even take on a position of responsibility to enhance your CV with Reading Student Union societies.
Get an employability skills certificate to recognise your extra-curricular engagement with the RED awards.
The Reading Experience and Development Awards are the University of Reading’s Official Skills Awards. They will help you to enhance your experience at the university whilst developing your skills and will give employers key examples of where you have put these skills into action.
Spend a couple of hours a week helping a teacher in a primary or secondary school with the Students in Schools programme.
