Reading University

University of Reading

Former names	University College, Reading (1892–1926)
Type	Public
Established	1926 (university status) 1892 (as University College, Reading)
Endowment	£13.9 million (as of 31 July 2015)
Chancellor	Lord William Waldegrave
Vice-Chancellor	Sir David Bell
Visitor	The Lord President of the Council ex officio
Administrative staff	4,024
Students	14,980 (2015/16)
Undergraduates	10,315 (2015/16)
Postgraduates	4,665 (2015/16)
Location	Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom
Colours	Red, black and white
Website	www.reading.ac.uk

The University of Reading is a public university located in Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom. It was established in 1892 as University College, Reading and received its Royal Charter in 1926 from King George V. It was the only university to receive its charter between the two world wars and is therefore a red brick university.

Reading is ranked as one of the top 200 universities in the world. It is ranked 156th in the latest 2015 QS World University Rankings, its highest ever position in the ranking. It is also one of the UK's leading research-intensive universities. It is based on three (formerly four) campuses in, and around, the town of Reading.

The university owes its first origins to the Schools of Art and Science established in Reading in 1860 and 1870. In 1892 the College at Reading was founded as an extension college by Christ Church, a college of the University of Oxford. The first President was the geographer Sir Halford John Mackinder. The Schools of Art and Science were transferred to the new college by Reading Town Council in the same year.

The new college received its first treasury grant in 1901. Three years later it was given a site, now the university's London Road Campus, by the Palmer family of Huntley & Palmers fame. The same family supported the opening of Wantage Hall in 1908, and of the Research Institute in Dairying in 1912.

The college first applied for a Royal Charter in 1920 but was unsuccessful at that time. However a second petition, in 1925, was successful, and the charter was officially granted on 17 March 1926. With the charter, the college became the University of Reading, the only new university to be created in the United Kingdom between the two world wars.

In 1947 the university purchased Whiteknights Park, which was to become its principal campus. In 1984 the University started a merger with Bulmershe College of Higher Education, which was completed in 1989.