Student parking

Parking Alternatives 

Reading is a very well connected university and it's easy to get around without using a car. Here are some of the options available to you. For more information on sustainable travel and to view travel offers, please click here:

• Cycling:   We now have 4,239 cycle parking spaces on campus, 5 secure bicycle sheds on Whiteknights and secure storage at halls.

• Buses: The main bus routes from Whiteknights Campus are the Whiteknight 20 and Claret 21 which travel from Reading train station and town centre, past London Road campus and onto Whiteknights campus up to every 7-8 minutes (Mon to Fri, daytimes during semester time). The Claret 21 also runs 24/7 so you will never miss the last bus. Visit the Reading Buses website for further information and for fare information.

• Car Club: The University of Reading partners with Co Wheels car club to enable students to hire a car for as little as 30 minutes. This helps minimise expenses for students and by registering with your University of Reading email address you will receive free driving credits. There are two cars based on campus – one situated at Dunsden Crescent and the other at Sherfield Hall.   

• Park and Ride: University of Reading students can use the FREE Park and Ride service from Mereoak (Junction 11 of the M4). You can park for free, show your Campus card to the driver and travel direct to Christchurch Green stop for Whiteknights campus or the Royal Berkshire Hospital stop for the London Road campus.

 

Parking on Campus and Halls

Car parking spaces at the University are severely limited, so parking is restricted to those with a permit. Before bringing your vehicle onto campus, please ensure that you have applied for and obtained a parking permit. Parking at halls is also limited and is controlled by a separate permit system. If you are a student living in Halls and you do not have a permit to park, you must not park on residential roads within one mile of the campus.

Our parking permits allow entry to the site; however, they do not guarantee a parking space is available.

Parking at the University is subject to the Parking Regulations. Anyone infringing the regulations is likely to incur a parking charge notice of £75.

Blue badge holders may apply for a free of charge permit.

Designated motorcycle parking spaces can be found at the following car parks: CP1, CP5, CP6, CP12, and AMS. These parking areas are in addition to parking spaces available for both cars and motorcycles that can be found in University campus and halls car parks.

We will begin to process applications for the 2024/25 academic year as follows:

1^st July for Halls parking

1^st August for Campus Parking

• Find out more about campus parking permits
• Find out more about halls parking permits

If you are not eligible for a permit, there are a number of alternatives that you can use to get around. If you choose to park off-site, please ensure you park legally and considerately, taking into account any parking restrictions.

i-Permit

Please see the Halls and Campus application pages for more information.

Parking on campus

You will need a permit to park on campus and these are only usually awarded to students with mobility issues or with other extenuating circumstances that meet the Campus Criteria. If you are eligible you can apply for a parking permit using the online form.

The deadline for student parking applications is 11.59pm on the Friday of Welcome Week (Friday 27th September 2024);  however, we can accept applications after the cut off date if you have had a change of circumstances. Applications received after the cut off date will only be considered if you have had a significant change of circumstances. Such changes of circumstance should be related to the existing criteria, and any disclosures made after the deadline will only be considered under exceptional circumstances. Please note that the still apply to applications received after the cut off date.

Applications for Academic Year 2024/25

Semester 1 applications - Permit valid to 7th February 2025

We accept applications for Semester 1 from the 1st of August to the end of Welcome week, ending Friday 27th September 2024 @23:59.

We accept applications from new students, where their course starts part way through the academic year (October-September), within 10 days of the course entry date as specified by RISIS.

We can accept applications after the cut-off date if you have had a significant change of circumstance. Such changes of circumstance should be related to the existing criteria.

If an annual parking permit is required, then Semesters 1 and 2 or Semesters 1,2 and 3 need to be selected.

Semester 2 applications - Permit valid to 13th June 2025

We accept applications for Semester 2 from the 1st of February up to 5 days into the start of Semester 2, ending Friday 14th February 2025 @23:59.

We accept applications from new students, where their course starts part way through the academic year (October-September), within 10 days of the course entry date as specified by RISIS.

We can accept applications after the cut-off date if you have had a significant change of circumstance. Such changes of circumstance should be related to the existing criteria.

If an annual parking permit is required, then Semesters 1 and 2 or Semesters 1,2 and 3 need to be selected.

Semester 3 applications - Permit valid to 30th September 2025

We accept applications for Semester 3, summer vacation, from the 1st of June up to 5 days into the start of Semester 3, ending Friday 21st June 2025 @23:59.

We accept applications from new students, where their course starts part way through the academic year (October-September), within 10 days of the course entry date as specified by RISIS.

We can accept applications after the cut-off date if you have had a significant change of circumstance. Such changes of circumstance should be related to the existing criteria.

If an annual parking permit is required, then Semesters 1 and 2 or Semesters 1,2 and 3 need to be selected.

Appeal Process

If you have been refused a parking permit you may choose to appeal to the Parking Appeal Panel. An appeal must be made within 5 working days from receiving notification of refusal. You only have the right of appeal if you have submitted an application by the deadline noted above.

The Parking Appeal Panel for 2024/25 will meet on Monday 4th November 2024. The Parking Appeals Panel meets to determine the outcome of any appeals received in the 2024/25 academic year.

Parking regulations

Parking at the University is subject to the Parking Regulations. Anyone infringing the regulations is likely to incur a parking charge notice of £75.

Parking Charge Notice - appeals

The procedure for appealing a Parking Charge Notice is outlined on the reverse of the Notice. You should in the first instance contact Total Parking Solutions.

Parking at halls

The Student Residency agreement prohibits students living in halls to park on campus or within a one mile radius of campus. This applies to both cars and motorcycles. Except in very specific cases, students living in halls are unable to bring a vehicle to the University. The area around the University is for Residents parking only. Students with mobility issues or other extenuating circumstances that meet the Halls Criteria will need to apply online for a halls parking permit.

Blue badge holders may apply for a free of charge permit.

The deadline for student parking applications is 11.59pm on the Friday of Welcome Week (Friday 27th September 2024), however we can accept applications after the cut off date if you have had a change of circumstances. Such changes of circumstance should be related to the existing criteria, and any disclosures made after the deadline will only be considered under exceptional circumstances. Please note that the Halls Criteria still apply to applications received after the cut off date.

Please note that Halls permits are not valid in any of the campus car parks. Permits printed with a Hall's name are only valid within that Hall's car park.

All of the University's halls are located within a short walk of the Whiteknights and London Road campuses and there are a number of alternative ways to get around.

Applications for Academic Year 2024/25

Semester 1 applications - Permit valid to 7th February 2025

We accept applications for Semester 1 from the 1st of July to the end of Welcome week, ending Friday 27th September 2024 @23:59.

We accept applications from new students, where their course starts part way through the academic year (October-September), within 10 days of the course entry date as specified by RISIS.

We can accept applications after the cut-off date if you have had a significant change of circumstance. Such changes of circumstance should be related to the existing criteria.

If an annual parking permit is required, then Semesters 1 and 2 or Semesters 1,2 and 3 need to be selected.

 

Semester 2 applications - Permit valid to 13th June 2025

We accept applications for Semester 2 from the 1st of February up to 5 days into the start of Semester 2, ending Friday 14th February 2025 @23:59.

We accept applications from new students, where their course starts part way through the academic year (October-September), within 10 days of the course entry date as specified by RISIS.

We can accept applications after the cut-off date if you have had a significant change of circumstance. Such changes of circumstance should be related to the existing criteria.

If an annual parking permit is required, then Semesters 1 and 2 or Semesters 1,2 and 3 need to be selected.

 

Semester 3 applications - Permit valid to 30th September 2025

We accept applications for Semester 3, summer vacation, from the 1st of June up to 5 days into the start of Semester 3, ending Friday 21st June 2025 @23:59.

We accept applications from new students, where their course starts part way through the academic year (October-September), within 10 days of the course entry date as specified by RISIS.

We can accept applications after the cut-off date if you have had a significant change of circumstance. Such changes of circumstance should be related to the existing criteria.

If an annual parking permit is required, then Semesters 1 and 2 or Semesters 1,2 and 3 need to be selected.

Appeal Process

If you have been refused a parking permit you may choose to appeal to the Parking Appeal Panel. An appeal must be made within 5 working days from receiving notification of refusal. You only have the right of appeal if you have submitted an application by the deadline noted above.

The Parking Appeal Panel for 2024/25 will meet on Thursday 7th November 2024. The Parking Appeals Panel meets to determine the outcome of any appeals received in the 2024/25 academic year.

Before bringing your vehicle to your hall of residence, please ensure that you have applied for and that your application has been pre-approved. Parking at the University is subject to the Parking Regulations. Anyone infringing the regulations is likely to incur a parking charge notice of £75.

Parking at halls - Visitors Permits

Students living in halls accommodation can purchase parking permits for their visitors. All visitors parking in Halls car parks between 8.30 am and 5.00 pm Monday to Friday will be required to display a valid parking permit. Permits can be purchased in advance online at http://store.rdg.ac/UoR-HallsVisitorPermit. Please note that we require 24 hrs notice to process all online purchases. The cost of a visitor permit is £5.51 for half day and £8.82 for a full day.

Only those who are visiting a University of Reading student staying in Halls can purchase Halls visitor permits.

Once you have made the online payment please ensure you show the receipt to your group reception team, otherwise they will be unable to issue a permit.

Failure to display a permit may incur a parking charge notice of £75.