University of Reading Admissions Statistics

Ranked 33rd in The Times and The Sunday Times UK University Rankings 2026 (opens in a new tab), the University of Reading (opens in a new tab) celebrates its centenary year in 2026, boasting a thriving student population of over 27,000 students from over 160 countries.

As a result, applying to the University of Reading can feel competitive, especially if you’re unsure how your grades compare to other applicants.

In this guide, we break down the latest University of Reading admissions statistics, including overall offer rates, subject-level competitiveness, and what these numbers mean for you as an applicant.

All figures are based on UCAS (opens in a new tab) and officially released admissions data (opens in a new tab).

Top 5 University of Reading Admissions Statistics

• Law is the most applied-to course, with 1,326 applications in 2023–24

• Psychology and Business & Management also attract very high demand, each with over 900 applicants

• Pharmacy and health-related courses are the most competitive, with lower offer rates around 66%

• Most subjects have high offer rates, typically between 85% and 95%

• Acceptance rates vary significantly by subject, with courses like Law seeing over 30% of applicants accept a place compared to under 20% in some humanities subjects

University of Reading Acceptance Rate Overview

The University of Reading receives a high number of applications each year, but it also makes a large number of offers.

In the 2023–24 admissions cycle, there were 26,436 applications and 22,964 offers, giving an overall offer rate of around 87%. This suggests that many applicants who meet the entry requirements have a strong chance of receiving an offer.

However, not all offers lead to places. Around 23% of applicants go on to accept their offer as a firm choice, which reflects the fact that students often apply to multiple universities and compare their options carefully.

This means that while Reading is relatively accessible in terms of offers, competition still varies significantly depending on the course you apply for.

University of Reading Admissions Statistics by Course

Here’s a breakdown of how competitive some of the major subject areas were in 2023-4, based on applications, offers, and acceptances. Lower acceptance rates generally indicate higher competition.

Key Trends from 2023–24

1. Strong Demand for Business, Psychology and Health Courses

Career-focused and professional subjects are particularly popular with applicants to the University of Reading. Courses in business, psychology and health-related subjects attract the highest number of applicants.

• Psychology and Business & Management each receive over 1,800 applicants

• Health-related courses, including Pharmacy, also attract large numbers of applicants

• Law remains highly competitive, with 1,326 applications

2. Lower Offer Rates in Health and STEM Subjects

While most courses have high offer rates, some subjects are noticeably more selective.

• Pharmacy and health-related courses have an offer rate of around 66%, lower than most other subjects

• Computer Science also has a lower offer rate (around 84%)

• Many other subjects have offer rates above 90%

This suggests that some STEM and health-related courses are more competitive, likely due to higher demand and limited places.

3. Very High Offer Rates in Humanities and Geography

Some subject areas have consistently high offer rates.

• Humanities subjects have offer rates of around 97–98%

• Geography and environmental courses are also very high, at around 98%

This indicates that students who meet the entry requirements are very likely to receive an offer in these areas.

4. Acceptance Rates Vary Significantly by Subject

There is a clear difference between how many offers are made and how many students accept them.

• Law has one of the highest acceptance rates, at over 30%

• Built environment courses also show strong acceptance rates

• Humanities subjects tend to have lower acceptance rates, often below 20%

5. Subject Choice Has the Biggest Impact on Competitiveness

The data shows that competition at the University of Reading depends more on the course than the university overall. Applicants to different subjects may face very different levels of competition, even within the same institution.

Understanding this can help you:

• Choose courses strategically

• Assess your chances realistically

• Prepare a stronger application

How the University of Reading Makes Admissions Decisions

The University of Reading considers several factors when assessing applications. While academic performance is important, it is not the only element taken into account.

Academic requirements

Your predicted or achieved grades are the most important part of your application.

Each course has published entry requirements, usually in the form of A Level grades or equivalent qualifications. Meeting these requirements gives you a strong chance of receiving an offer, especially for courses with higher offer rates.

However, for more competitive subjects such as Law, Psychology, and Computer Science, successful applicants often achieve grades above the minimum requirements.

Personal statement

Your personal statement helps universities understand your interest in the subject and your motivation to study it.

At Reading, this is used to:

• Assess your engagement with the subject

• Understand your academic interests

• Evaluate your readiness for university study

A strong personal statement can help support your application, particularly if your grades are close to the entry requirements. You may find our guide on how to write a personal statement helpful.

Contextual admissions

The University of Reading uses contextual admissions in some cases. This means your application may be considered in the context of your background, school, or personal circumstances.

In some cases, this can lead to lower offer requirements or additional consideration during the admissions process. Full details can be found on the University of Reading’s website (opens in a new tab).

Interviews, tests and portfolios

Most courses at Reading do not require interviews or admissions tests.

However, some courses may ask for:

• A portfolio (for creative subjects)

• Additional assessment or selection stages (for specific professional courses)

You should always check the course details carefully so you know what to expect.

How Competitive Is University of Reading Compared to Similar Universities?

The University of Reading sits in a similar group to universities such as:

• University of Leicester

• University of Sussex

• University of Surrey

Compared to these universities, Reading is generally considered moderately competitive overall.

Reading has a relatively high offer rate (around 87%), which means many applicants who meet the entry requirements are likely to receive an offer.

This is similar to other universities in this group, where offer rates tend to be higher than at more selective institutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of University of Reading applicants get accepted?

In the most recent admissions cycle, around 87% of applicants received an offer from the University of Reading.

However, only around 23% of applicants went on to accept their offer as a firm choice. This varies by subject, with some courses significantly more competitive than others.

Which course at the University of Reading is the hardest to get into?

Courses with the lowest offer rates tend to be the most competitive. At Reading, this includes health-related courses such as Pharmacy.

These courses attract large numbers of applicants but offer fewer places, making them more selective.

What percentage of University of Reading students drop out?

The University of Reading has a continuation rate of around 92.8% according to the Guardian (opens in a new tab). This means that the large majority of students settle into their course successfully and continue their studies after their first year.

Final Thoughts

If the University of Reading is one of your top choices, understanding how competitive your course is can help you set realistic goals and prepare effectively.

While many courses have high offer rates, more competitive subjects such as Law, Psychology and Pharmacy require strong grades and a well-prepared application.

Save My Exams provides teacher and examiner-written A Level revision resources designed around real exam requirements, helping you feel fully prepared and giving you the best possible chance of success.

References:

• UK university rankings 2026: League table | The Times and The Sunday Times (opens in a new tab)

• About the University of Reading (opens in a new tab)

• UCAS Undergraduate end of cycle data resources 2025 (opens in a new tab)

• Undergraduate Admissions Statistics – A Freedom of Information request to University of Reading – WhatDoTheyKnow (opens in a new tab)

• What offer will I get? Applicant information | University of Reading (opens in a new tab)

• The Guardian University Guide 2026 – the rankings (opens in a new tab)