International applicants

Clearing works the same no matter where you're based or what qualifications you hold. However, international applicants have unique considerations that UK-based applicants don't, which is why we've put together this helpful guide just for you.

If you're based outside the UK, we understand it’s likely you haven’t had the chance to visit the University before applying. However, you can explore our Virtual Experience Hub to get a feel for what life as a student at the University of Reading is like.

If you live in Hong Kong, you can meet our University representatives at recruitment fairs in July. They’ll be able to tell you more about the University, discuss your qualifications for various courses, and guide you through the application process.

Additionally, our Global Student Recruitment team offers one-to-one online meetings for prospective students to discuss their options. Book your one-to-one meeting here. While they can’t make offers, they’ll provide valuable insight into available courses and the application process.

Clearing opens on 5 July 2025. You can start your application as soon as you have all your results.

If your national qualifications are released before UK results, you can apply as soon as they're available. You can either call us to apply directly, or if you're in a different time zone, you can use our online application form.

Please note you may also need to provide evidence of satisfactory English language proficiency, (such as through an IELTS (Academic) test) to apply via Clearing. Be sure to check our list of acceptable English language tests to ensure you meet the requirements.

If you haven’t previously considered applying to university in the UK, you might not have a UCAS account.

Although you’ll apply directly to us for your course, you must accept your offer on the UCAS website. It’s essential to set up an account if you haven’t already done so.

Please note that UCAS verification can take up to 48 hours, so the sooner you set up your account, the better.

For more details on how to apply, visit our How to apply page.

The process is the same regardless of where you’re applying from. We regularly receive applications from students with qualifications from around the world, so there’s no need to worry if your qualifications are from outside the UK.

Our online application form is designed to accommodate a wide range of international qualifications. If you have trouble finding your qualification type, simply select ‘Other’ and provide as much detail as possible in the text box. Please also upload copies of your qualification transcripts, including both academic and English language qualifications where necessary.

If your qualifications aren’t equivalent to UK Level 3 (A levels), you may want to consider our International Foundation Programme or a degree with an integrated foundation year. You can apply for any degree with an integrated foundation year that is still open for Clearing applications using the Clearing application form.

For the one-year International Foundation Programme (IFP), you can apply directly through our IFP online application service. There’s no need to use Clearing for this programme.

To learn more about the different International Foundation options at Reading, visit our International Study and Language Institute (ISLI) website.

If you'd like to work with a recruitment agent, who will assist with your application and guide you through the process, you can do so.

We work closely with a number of agents to ensure they have the most up-to-date information on our programmes, application processes, and other key details. Using an agent won’t affect your chances of securing a place at the University of Reading, and you may find their support helpful.

To learn more about how we work with agents, please visit our in-country representatives page.

Most international students will need a student visa to study in the UK. While Clearing applicants typically have enough time to secure their visa before enrolment, we strongly encourage you to act quickly and submit any required documents as soon as possible — especially if you're applying later in August or September.

Once you’ve accepted your Clearing offer and hold an unconditional offer, we’ll issue you a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) document. You’ll need this to apply for your student visa. To process this, we’ll need a scan or copy of the photo page of your passport, so please send it to us as soon as possible. For convenience, we recommend uploading it along with your academic and English language qualification transcripts when you submit your initial Clearing application.

If you're applying very late, you may need to use the expedited visa service through UKVI, which may involve an additional cost.

For more details, visit our Visa and immigration page.

International students are more likely to need assistance securing accommodation, and we offer a range of options at the University of Reading for you to explore.

If you apply and accept your place during early Clearing (5 July-6 August), you’ll be able to apply for accommodation early and are guaranteed a room in our halls.

For applications made from 14 August onwards, we have accommodation set aside specifically for Clearing students, with options at various price points and contract lengths. However, accommodation is not guaranteed after this date. If possible, we recommend applying early to secure your place.

For more details, please visit our Accommodation page.

• Make sure you register for a UCAS account, if you have not already done so.
• Sign up to receive our Clearing emails.
• Find out about accommodation options for Clearing applicants
• If Clearing is open and you have all of your results, you can apply now.