Postgraduate student, Florencia, explores the different buildings on Whiteknights campus:
The University of Reading has lots of faculties where students can mingle with students following the same or similar degree or career paths. However, as you walk around the Whiteknights campus, you may have noticed buildings that are not specifically designated to a subject of study. These buildings serve multiple purposes and it is likely that all student will have to go to one or all of them at some point. Many of these buildings provide very valuable services and it is very useful for students to become familiar with them!
Palmer Building: This is likely the first building you will go as a student. Here you will be enrolled and receive your student card. The Palmer building also holds the halls Welcome Talks and general seminars, including some talks you can count towards the Red Award. You may also have your exams in Palmer during exam season.
The Carrington Building (also known as the Student Services Building):
Your Student Services is based in the Carrington building on Whiteknights campus and is the home of student support teams, services, and advice whilst you’re at Reading.
In the Carrington building you will find:
- Student Services Reception
- Student Wellbeing Services: Counselling and Wellbeing, The Student Welfare Team, Disability Advisory Service
- Student Financial Support Team
- International Student Advisory Team
- Careers and Placements Team
- Campus Jobs
Fun Fact! Between the Palmer and Chancellor’s buildings, there is a small café called Dol.che Vita. It servers delicious milkshakes!
This building is one of the largest at the university. It used to be called HUMSS but was changed in 2017 to honour the professor of the English Language Edith Morley, who was designated to the position almost one hundred years before in 1908. It offers many classes for international and language courses. I believe every student at some point has a class, seminar, or exam here. The building also has the Ure Museum and a very large auditorium named the Van Emden Lecture Theatre where students and faculties can sometimes attend large lectures and movie screenings. The building has several floors and it can be quite tricky to navigate. Some say you have become truly familiar with Whiteknights when you can successfully find your way around Edith Morley!
Fun fact! Edith Morley was once visited by Queen Elizabeth in 1957 when it was called HUMSS. You can see a little video of it on YouTube if anybody is interested! 😊
Different from the previous three buildings that are located near the square, this building is further away. However, it is very close to the bus station, so it can be convenient for students who commute using the bus. In this building, many language classes are taken, particularly the ones to practice dialogue and casual conversation. Similarly, to the Palmer building, it also holds exams during finals.
Besides the obvious services, all of these buildings provide a great opportunity to meet students outside of your immediate circle. This can be through language classes, lectures, society meetings, exams, or just hanging around the cafes.
Thank you for reading today’s blog, let me know what you think in the comments below! I hope you have a great day!