FAQs

Our helpful Frequently Asked Questions are here to answer any questions you may have as a new student.

If you have a question that we haven't answered below, ask a question via RISIS and your question will automatically be sent to the relevant team who will be in touch as soon as possible.

What is enrolment?

Enrolment is the process where you are confirmed as a student at the University. This takes place before you can begin your studies.

There are two steps to enrolment that you need to complete:

Step One: Online Enrolment
Where you provide us with information about yourself, upload important documents and pay your tuition fees or indicate who will be paying your fees.

Online enrolment takes place on RISIS.

If you are an international student, online enrolment should be completed in advance of travel to the UK.

Step Two: In-person Enrolment
Where we check your identity and any immigration requirements and issue your campus card.

You can access a step-by-step guide on enrolling as a student at the University, and find the deadlines for online and in-person enrolment on the enrolment pages on Essentials.

If you are a returning student, you can also find guidance on re-enrolment on Essentials.

Where do I go to enrol in-person?

Once you arrive on campus, head straight the Palmer Building during opening hours to complete in-person enrolment.

You can enrol in person once you have completed online enrolment before you arrive.

If you are an international student studying on a student route visa you must complete your in-person enrolment on campus by the date specified on your CAS. You can find out more about the steps you need to complete as part of your enrolment on the International Student pages of the Welcome website.

I've arrived late, can I still enrol?

If you arrive in Reading after Sunday 29 September, please complete your in-person enrolment as soon as possible. Please note that the locations for late enrolment are different for UK and international students. To find out where you need to go for late enrolment, check out the guidance for late arrivals on Essentials.

When will I receive my timetable?

All undergraduate and taught postgraduate students receive a personalised timetable.

You will receive your Semester 1 timetable on completion of enrolment and, where necessary, module selection. Timetables will be complete by 04 October 2024. Your Semester 2 timetable will be published on 11 December 2024. Your timetable will be sent to your Outlook calendar, which you can also view on the UoR Student app.

More information about accessing and understanding can be found on Essentials. If you need help viewing your timetable, or something doesn't look right, please email studenthelp@reading.ac.uk.

How can I access my timetable?

How to access your timetable:

Outlook

Your timetable can be viewed in your University Outlook calendar. View the DTS Student Guide for information about accessing Outlook and other digital services.

About your timetable:

• Timetabled sessions are automatically added to your Outlook calendar
• Your timetable is presented in live time so regularly check your schedule for changes and updates
• Switch on calendar reminders to receive a reminder 10 minutes before each session starts
• If any late changes are made to your timetable, the event colour will change to blue and will be appended with the words 'Updated:' or 'Cancelled:'

UoR Student app

The official app for UoR students is the easiest way to access your timetable on the go.

The app presents your personalised timetable and a customisable view of the week ahead. If you can view your timetable in Outlook but are experiencing issues in the app, please report via the DTS self-service desk.

Available to all current students, the app is free to download to your mobile device from Android and IOS digital stores.

Once you have your IT account details download the student app.

If you need help viewing your timetable, or something doesn't look right, please email studenthelp@reading.ac.uk.

For more information about accessing your timetable, visit Essentials.

What is module selection?

If you are an undergraduate or postgraduate taught student and your course offers optional modules, you will be required to select these online each year.

This process is called module selection and takes place in September for new students.

You can find out everything you need to know about module selection, how the modular system works, and step-by-step information on how to select your modules, on Essentials.

What is RISIS?

RISIS or often referred to as the RISIS portal is home to your student records and is where you store and update your personal information.

You can log into RISIS by using your University credentials.

RISIS gives you access to online services, including:

Enrolment
Apply for Halls
Viewing and updating personal details
Viewing information about fees and payments to date
Paying fees
Viewing modules, marks and grades
Submitting and tracking extenuating circumstance requests
Printing bank and enrolment letters to confirm student status
Viewing personal exam timetables
Booking Library courses
Registering for the RED award

How do I login to the RISIS portal?

How to login to the RISIS portal:

Before you have collected your username:

Login: use the ‘Applicants and past students login’ box where your username is the personal email address you have registered with us

Password: the password you set when you first logged in (please refer to guidance emailed to you if you’ve never logged in before, and email risis@reading.ac.uk if you need assistance)

After you have collected your username:

Login: use the ‘Staff and student sign in with Microsoft’ button where you will be prompted to log in with Multi-factor Authentication (MFA). Further details can be found on the Digital Technology Services website, and contact the DTS team if you need further help with this.

Once you've logged in using the MFA you do not need a password.

If you need any help setting up your MFA, check out the Remote Services Access Guide.

What is my Campus Card?

When you complete your in-person enrolment, you will be given your campus card. A Campus Card is your University of Reading student associate card. This card contains a microchip which runs a variety of applications.

With your Campus Card you can access your halls of residence and certain buildings on campus, access PC labs, borrow books from the library, pay for things like printing, and more.

For the full list of campus card applications, visit the Campus Card website.

For more information about Campus Cards, check out the Campus Card FAQs.

How do I access my university username?

Once you have enrolled in person, you will receive your campus card and username.

Once you have collected your campus card, you can follow these steps to get your username details:

1. Log into the RISIS portal
2. Follow the link ‘Click here to collect your University username’.
3. Make a note of your username and set your password.

Your University username might not be ready if you haven’t completed the online enrolment process or you have another action to complete. A message on the RISIS portal will tell you what you need to do.

How do I access the University Wi-Fi network?

Once you have your username and password, you can connect to the University’s campus Wi-Fi network, Eduroam, which is available to all students. This is different to the Wi-Fi network found in your University halls. Please check your halls arrival information for details or check with your halls reception.

To connect to Wi-Fi on any device:

1. In your Wi-Fi settings, select "Eduroam" from the list of available networks (on Android you may also need to enter a domain – use radius.auth.reading.ac.uk).
2. Enter your username (format: ab123456@reading.ac.uk) and the password you set up in RISIS)
3. If you have any difficulties, you can visit reading.ac.uk/wifi or contact our IT Service Desk Team on 0118 378 6262.

How do I log in to my University email?

You will receive your email address during the last step of enrolment.

Email is the main way we will keep in touch with you, so you should check this every day for news, information about your course, important updates and opportunities. You can access your University email via Me@Reading or go to: office.com.

The first time you access your email, you need to set up Multi-Factor Authentication. We recommend downloading the Microsoft Authenticator App for this. You can find instructions on how to set up Microsoft Authenticator at: reading.ac.uk/MFA

To login use ‘username@student.reading.ac.uk’ and the same password you set for the RISIS portal.

What are my Head of School Introduction Talks?

Your Head of School Introduction Talks, sometimes called Head of Department Talks, are the first talk you’ll attend as a student on your course. We recommend attending the Introduction Talks as one of your priorities when you arrive for Welcome. The talks contain introductory information about your course and academic school. You can find details of the Introduction Talks, as well as other Welcome Events, on the UoR Welcome App.

What if I miss my Head of School Introduction Talks?

If you miss your Introduction talks, contact The Support Centres. The Support Centres are your first port of call for all questions, help or advice throughout your time at the University, providing you with the support you need to be successful in your studies and beyond.

Each School has a dedicated Student Support Coordinator who you can refer to about any School or course-specific issues

You can contact your Student Support Coordinator by logging on to RISIS and clicking on 'Ask a Question'. You can telephone your Support Centre Monday to Friday, from 10:00 to 17:00.

What is Me@Reading?

The Me@Reading Student Portal is the place you can go for all the latest University news and events, and provides links to useful university services.

If it's your first time logging into Me@Reading:

Please remember to use <username>@student.reading.ac.uk when you sign in. Replace <username> with your own username which you obtain when you complete enrolment and consists of 2 letters and 6 numbers e.g. ab123456.

What is Essentials?

Essentials is your online handbook to student life. It's a one-stop shop for everything you need to know as a University of Reading student.

On the Essentials webpages you can find information, advice and support on wellbeing, events and opportunities, diversity, disabilities, careers, finance, your studies, and much more.

What is the UoR Student app?

The UoR Student app has been designed specifically for you and brings together essential information, helping you to stay organised, informed and connected during your study years.

The app delivers plenty of handy features right to your fingertips including:

- Your timetable
- A personalised newsfeed from the Me@Reading student portal
- Quick access to campus maps and location services
- Notifications of the most important news and updates
- Verify you are a students via the digital student card
- Convenient access to Essentials, your digital services, Inbox and support information

Available to all current students to download for free from Android and IOS stores.

Download the UoR Student app.

How can I stay up to date with the University latest news and updates?

It's important to keep up to date with the University's latest news and updates. Download, follow and subscribe current student channels for news, events, important information:

The UoR Student App

Me@Reading

UoR Student Life Blog

UoR Student Instagram

UoR Student Twitter

UoR Student Life YouTube

Still looking for an answer to your question? Ask a question

Welcome: Frequently Asked Questions