1) Benefits
Am I entitled to any discounts or benefits as a graduate of the University?
ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø alumni have access to a range of special benefits including:
- a 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees at the ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø
- a range of discounts, such as reduced at the SportsPark and discounted library membership
- services to help with your future, including individual advice, guidance and support from our Graduate Career Services team for 24 months after graduation
- an ever-growing suite of delivered by Future Learn
- access to exclusive alumni events
- various volunteering opportunities to help develop your professional skills
- access to our digital alumni magazine, .
How do I get a replacement degree certificate, academic transcript, award verification or certified statement?
To obtain an academic transcript, replacement degree certificate, award verification or certified statement, please visit our Information for Graduates page for more details.
How can I get an educational reference/verification?
All our educational references are handled by HEDD. Please ask your screening agent to start the process on their .
Can I get a copy of my dissertation?
Unfortunately, the Alumni and Supporter Engagement Office does not store copies of dissertations. We recommend contacting your former department directly as they may be able to supply a copy to you.
How can I buy ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø merchandise?
You can either or you can visit ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø Students' Union's Merch Store in the main Students' Union building located on our Whiteknights campus.
The Merch Store is open Monday to Friday, from 12:00-16:00 during .
2) Giving to ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø
Is the University a registered charity?
The ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø is an independent corporation with charitable status established by Royal Charter granted in 1926. Its objects, powers and framework of governance are defined in the Charter and supporting Statutes. It is an exempt charity (reference X 8145).
I received a fundraising call - how do I know whether this was genuine?
We run telephone campaigns throughout the year, seeking support for the University's work and priorities. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a phone call, please email giving@reading.ac.uk and we will be happy to confirm.
How do you process gifts?
We seek gifts by direct debit primarily as this allows us to plan and gives our students and academics confidence in the future. We are also very happy to accept gifts by credit card, cheque, and bank transfer.
Can I give a gift from overseas?
Yes - we welcome all gifts. You can give tax-effectively from the USA and can give from all parts of the world. Please email giving@reading.ac.uk for more details.
What is your current volunteering and fundraising campaign?
We are currently running the IMAGINE volunteering and fundraising campaign to help connect supporters to projects which are creating solutions to real-world problems. and how you can get involved.
How can I increase/decrease/cancel/extend my direct debit?
This can be done by simply emailing giving@reading.ac.uk with your current address (so we can identify you) and stating which action you would like to take. You can of course cancel your direct debit yourself through your bank, but we would be very grateful if you could also let us know by email.
I am interested in including the University in my will - who should I talk to?
Please contact Janice Galvin on j.galvin@reading.ac.uk or +44 (0) 118 378 3605 if you would like to discuss this further. Alternatively, more information can be found on our web page.
How do I get a donor pin?
Silver pins are for members of the Blandford Club, to thank all our donors who give by direct debit. Gold pins are for our ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø Pioneers, who lead philanthropy of the University, with a gift of £1000 a year or more. To find out more, please contact our Donor Relations Officer, Eilish, at e.g.sorohan@reading.ac.uk.
Why do you fundraise when you are charging £9,535 a year in student fees?
The fee increase allows the University to continue to provide a high quality of education and experience to our students. Fundraising gives us the flexibility and reactiveness to support the University in key areas; be that research into mental health or heart disease, or bursaries for the most deserving students.
How much of my donation will go to staff costs?
None. All fundraising costs are covered by the University meaning 100% of all donations go to supporting the projects our donors want to get involved with.
3) Events
How can I find out what events are taking place at the University?
There are a variety of events taking place at the University throughout the year, including concerts, lectures, receptions, and networking events.
Find out more about ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø alumni events.
Find out more about University public events.
I am having technical difficulties signing up to an event - what do I do?
If you are having any trouble with booking onto our alumni events, then please contact us at alumni@reading.ac.uk and we will be able to help process the booking for you.How can I organise a reunion or other event on campus?
We are always delighted when alumni want to return to campus for a get together. Please contact us at alumni@reading.ac.uk to get some help with your reunion! Alternatively, take a look at our reunion guide.
For information on booking rooms, catering and local accommodation, please visit , or email info@venuereading.ac.uk.
For information on booking ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø Students' Union venues, please visit the .
4) Communications
Are you on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram?
We certainly are! See the links below to connect with us.
Facebook:
Twitter:
LinkedIn:
Instagram:
How can I sign up to CONNECTED?
We have now moved our alumni magazine, CONNECTED, onto a digital platform. to keep up to date with the latest University and alumni news and customise your profile to choose what you read.
5) Staying in touch
How can I update my details?
Update your contact details and communication preferences.
Alternatively, you can email us at alumni@reading.ac.uk with your new details, providing your name, year of graduation, and subject studied.
How can I contact friends I have lost touch with?
If you are looking to reconnect with an old friend from the University, then please contact us directly at alumni@reading.ac.uk with your details so we can offer you a 'Find a Friend' service. This service allows us to send a letter on your behalf to the specific alumnus - provided we have their current address - containing your contact details so they may get in touch with you if they so wish.
6) Volunteering
How can I volunteer?
If you are interested in any volunteering opportunities, then please email us at alumni@reading.ac.uk or visit our volunteering page to find out more.
What is the Distinguished Volunteer Award?
The annual Distinguished Volunteer Award aims to recognise the outstanding contribution that volunteers make to the ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø. Each year you can nominate a volunteer who has gone above and beyond to make a difference to the University community. The awards are presented at our annual House of Lords event with the award recipients receiving two free tickets each.
7) Other
What is the Graduate Outcomes Survey and why do I have to do it?
is a national survey owned by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). The aim of the survey is to gain insight into the perspectives and activities of graduates nationally across the UK around 15 months after completing their course. Some of the results may be used by the government and other third parties, including university league tables or to inform measures of student outcomes from Higher Education.
The ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø is required by HESA to hold accurate contact details for you and it is not possible for graduates to opt-out of receiving the survey as it is a national requirement. If you have graduated in the last 15 months, then please update your contact details.