About the Reading, England Program

The Reading program is a USAC partnership program. Learn more about on-site program elements and the city itself below.

• On-site Staff
• Host University
• Living Accommodations
• Passport and Visa

About Reading

• Population: 145,000
• Distance from London: 38 miles
• Distance from Paris: 230 miles

Reading is a historic town situated on the River Thames near both Oxford and London (25 minutes by train). It is a thriving center of commerce and technology and has one of the best shopping and entertainment centers, The Oracle, in southern England. Remains of what was once one of Europe’s larger and richer abbey complexes still stand, and the Reading Museum is a treasure trove for local history, including Roman antiquities from the nearby major Roman city of Silchester. Reading is the burial place of King Henry I and the hometown of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

You can find top class entertainment in Reading, including everything from comedy to fringe theatre. The annual Comedy Festival each October attracts established and up-and-coming comedians from all over the world. Numerous venues offer a wide range of live music, where top musicians of all genres regularly perform. Reading is also home to one of the world’s major music festivals, with some of the biggest names in contemporary music playing over the three days. The city center is a great place to relax with loads of cafés, restaurants, galleries, and entertainment. A Championship Division football (soccer) club, Reading FC, and the London Irish Rugby squad both call Reading home.