Record number of undergraduate places accepted at Reading

A strong Clearing campaign has contributed to a record high number of undergraduates being offered a place to study at Reading in 2023.

The Clearing hotline received over 1,700 more calls during last week versus 2022, and 100 more offers were made. Added to our strongest market share of UCAS applicants in more than a decade, this resulted in 12% more students firmly accepting places on undergraduate courses this year compared to last.

A total of 5,037 new undergraduate students have so far accepted places on Reading courses this September – just above the record number of 5,026 acceptances at this stage in 2022 – although the number who go on to enrol will be lower than this, as is the case every year.

Overall recruitment challenges remain

Our recruitment activity, led by Global Recruitment & Admissions and Marketing, Communications & Engagement, has delivered against the ambitious undergraduate entry targets set as part of the University’s approach to addressing current financial challenges.

These increased undergraduate numbers will partially offset the drop being seen nationally this year in postgraduate taught applications, particularly from international students, which bring in higher tuition fee rates for each student.

Some students who have accepted a place may yet not enrol, while others already at the University might drop out without completing their studies, meaning that our overall student population count will not become clear until late September or October.

It also means cost-saving and financial efficiency measures being implemented as part of our financial response plans remain vitally important to the University’s long-term financial sustainability.

Reading reflects national picture

Across England, A-level grades have fallen back to 2019 levels, signalling a return to normal in post-16 educational assessments, following the grade inflation seen during the pandemic. This is consistent with our experience at Reading.

Reading had received 11% more applications for undergraduate courses even before Clearing this year. Many students who were offered a place through Clearing attending a visit day on Friday (18 August).

The most popular subject areas for applications were Politics, Economics and International Relations; Law; Henley Business School programmes; Biological Sciences; and Computer Science.

Hotline still open

Many courses are now full, but places remain in some subjects and the Clearing hotline remains open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, on 0118 402 0900.