Student accommodation in Reading

Student Accommodation in Reading

Steeped in rich cultural heritage, the market town of Reading continues to attract students from across the UK every year. Just a 30-minute train ride from London, the location is the obvious pull for residents in Reading – but there’s more to this town than meets the eye.

Why use UniHomes to find Reading student accommodation?

At UniHomes, we’re here to keep house hunting simple. We work with letting agents and PBSA providers across Berkshire to showcase a range of student accommodation options in Reading, from modest one-bed apartments to large townhouses big enough for six!

To help you budget for the year ahead, all of our student housing in Reading comes with bills included – meaning your rent and utilities are bundled into one monthly payment that’s split fairly between you and your housemates.

Reading student housing market: trends explained

Relocating to Reading to study? Your choice of Reading student accommodation doesn’t have to be restricted to halls. Throughout the town centre and across suburbs such as Newtown and Earley, you can find plenty of places to suit your preferences – many just a short walk away from public transport and shopping centres!

The town centre itself is perfect for anyone seeking a sleek studio, a cosy flat or modern room in purpose-built student accommodation, with central Reading student housing being only 30 minutes away on foot (or 15 minutes by bus) from the University of Reading’s main campus.

Want to be even closer to your lectures? Earley is right on Reading Uni’s doorstep, and offers a range of student houses that are surrounded by supermarkets, pubs, takeaways, and more; it’s safe to say that Earley has everything you could possibly need as a student.

Newtown, on the other hand, offers the best of both worlds. It’s conveniently located between town and campus, making it the ideal place to look for student accommodation in Reading for anyone who wants easy access to both class and Reading’s best shops, clubs, and restaurants.

Student life in Reading

A hotspot for shopping, Reading is one of the UK’s top retail destinations, offering locals the choice of hundreds of high street brands and independent stores to explore. Find household names (like Boots, Hollister and Lush) alongside a number of luxury retailers, all in and around Reading’s high streets and shopping centres.

More interested in socialising than shopping? At night, Reading’s town centre plays host to pub crawls, live music events, comedy pop-ups and DJ sets in its eclectic range of bars, restaurants and clubs. Student favourites include Popworld (of course), Purple Turtle, as well as The Cocktail Club, so be prepared to queue for entry on student nights.

For when you fancy a change of scenery, London is just around the corner. Hop on the train and arrive in the capital in just over an hour, and you’ll have the nation’s best bars, theatres, markets, and museums at your fingertips.

You’ll probably want to make sure you’re back in Reading for late August, though, because this is when its legendary music festival returns. Taking place at the same time as its Northern counterpart Leeds Fest, Reading Festival is one of the UK’s biggest celebrations of music – and it just so happens to be within walking distance of the very best of Reading’s student accommodation. With 2026 headliners including Charli XCX, Raye, and Fontaines D.C., it’s safe to say we’re jealous of everyone heading to Reading Fest this year.

Find out more about student life in our Reading city guide.

Did you know?

Reading Festival is the festival to go to in order to see the world’s biggest names in music. Over the years, the main stage has seen the likes of Chappell Roan, Billie Eilish, Arctic Monkeys, The 1975, My Chemical Romance, Oasis, Pulp, Radiohead… the list goes on (and will no doubt get bigger and better).

For even more details on Reading Festival, check out our blog post on the best music festivals taking place in 2026. And while you’re at it, give our guide on what to take to festivals a read, too!