classification of universities by subject.
Reading has been highly ranked in meteorology and atmospheric science. In the 2024 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, it was ranked 5th in the world for atmospheric science. It was ranked 15th in the world for Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences by U.S. News & World Report in 2024 and 13th among global universities in atmospheric science in the 2024 SCImago Institutions Rankings.
It was ranked 2nd in the world in meteorology and atmospheric sciences by the Center for World University Rankings in 2017 (the most recent year subject rankings were published).
=== Admissions ===
New students entering the university in 2020 had an average of 129 points (the equivalent of ABB at A Level). According to the 2023 Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, approximately 13% of Reading's undergraduates come from independent schools.
=== Affiliated institutions ===
The Gyosei International College in the U.K. was established on property acquired from the University of Reading in 1989. The college, later renamed Witan International College, was acquired by the University of Reading in 2004. Witan College closed in 2008.
In 2009 the university partnered with the Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology to offer Chinese students courses taught by the department of chemistry. In 2015 this was expanded to form the NUIST Reading Academy which currently offers six degree programs and enrolls nearly 400 students annually.
== Student life ==
=== Students’ Union ===
Reading Students' Union is the affiliated student organisation which represents the students' interests. The Students' Union has been the launchpad for many successful careers including Penny Mordaunt (Former MP for Portsmouth North), who was the 1994–5 president of the Students' Union.
The union provides a free advice service to students, and facilitates over 160 different activities for students to get involved in. The Students' Union building on Whiteknights Campus contains a 2500 capacity venue called …
