Welcome week: how you can help students

Welcome week is nearly here for the 2023/24 academic year, and we are looking forward to helping our new students with a smooth and enjoyable transition to University life.

Colleagues across the University have come together in a real effort to hold a wide range of activities and information sessions, and put in place clear processes to support new students when they arrive at Reading.

While colleagues in student-facing roles will be in position to give students the most support, all of us might be faced with a student query or find ourselves in a situation where can assist a student who is looking lost.

We’ve compiled some basic information below to help you to help our students.

More information can be found on Welcome webpages on Essentials.

New staff helpline

All colleagues can call 07703 393420 if they have a student query this intake period and don’t know the answer. The phoneline lets you speak to a colleague who can help.

The helpline will be open 08:30-17:30 from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 September. Please note this number is strictly for staff only and should not be shared with students or their families.

Welcome activities

Welcome sessions, activities and events are running from Monday 18 September. A full list is available on the UoR Welcome app and this is being updated regularly. Colleagues can also download the app to view the activities by searching ‘UoR Welcome’ in your app store, or download the desktop version.

Enrolment

Students should enrol in the Palmer Building from Thursday 14 September to Wednesday 20 September, 09:30 - 16:30 including over the weekend. After this date, the enrolment desk opening times will reduce to 10:00 - 16:00, not including weekends, before closing on Friday 6 October.

Module selection

First-year undergraduates, Foundation and postgraduate taught students must select any optional modules for the Autumn Term this month, and some students may have questions about this.

Modules can be browsed on RISIS from Thursday 14 September, and selections can be made from Tuesday 19 September.

• Foundation and first-year undergraduates should make their selections by 23:59 on Thursday 21 September.
• PGT students should make their selections by 23:59 Thursday 28 September.

Students may request changes to Autumn Term modules until 12:30 on Friday 13 October.