Is the University of Reading public or private?

The University of Reading is a public research university, granted its Royal Charter in 1926 after operating as University College Reading from 1892. It is not a member of the Russell Group.

What language are these programmes taught in?

All nine programmes in this catalogue -- LLB Law, LLM Advanced Legal Studies, BSc Agriculture, MSc daily living Science, MSc Spatial Planning and Development, the Henley Flexible Executive MBA, the DBA, MSc Management and MSc International Business -- are taught fully in English. International applicants must meet Reading's academic English requirement, typically IELTS 6.5 overall with no subskill below 5.5-6.0 depending on the course, or an approved equivalent.

Can I get direct admission straight after Class 12 (India) or equivalent school-leaving qualifications?

Yes, for the undergraduate BSc Agriculture and LLB Law routes, which assess Indian Class 12 board results against a UK A-level-equivalent grade profile on a case-by-case basis; applicants should check each course's international qualifications page before applying. The postgraduate and doctoral programmes in this catalogue (LLM, MSc daily living Science, MSc Spatial Planning and Development, MBA, DBA, MSc Management, MSc International Business) require a relevant undergraduate degree first, and the Flexible Executive MBA and DBA additionally require several years of professional/management experience.

What is the total cost of studying at Reading, including tuition, fees and living costs?

Confirmed 2026/27 international tuition is GBP 25,850/year for LLB Law, GBP 26,450 for the one-year LLM Advanced Legal Studies, GBP 30,650/year for BSc Agriculture, GBP 31,650 for the one-year MSc daily living Science, GBP 19,450 for the one-year full-time MSc Spatial Planning and Development, GBP 36,000 for the Henley Flexible Executive MBA, GBP 70,000 total across six years part-time for the DBA, and GBP 29,150 for the one-year MSc Management and MSc International Business. On top of tuition, budget roughly GBP 188-295/week for official university halls in 2026/27 plus personal living costs; Reading's overall living costs sit below central London but above many smaller UK university towns.

How do I apply to the University of Reading as an international student?

The undergraduate LLB Law and BSc Agriculture apply through UCAS. Postgraduate taught applicants (LLM, MSc daily living Science, MSc Spatial Planning and Development, MSc Management, MSc International Business) apply directly through Reading's own online postgraduate application portal linked from each course page. The Henley Flexible Executive MBA and DBA use Henley Business School's dedicated executive-education application routes, which require a CV, references and evidence of relevant professional experience.

What English-language test scores does Reading accept?

Reading accepts IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and other approved tests. Course-specific minimums in this catalogue range from IELTS 6.5 overall with no element below 5.5 (LLM, MSc daily living Science, MSc Management, MSc International Business, MSc Spatial Planning and Development) to IELTS 6.5 with a 6.0 subskill minimum for some routes; Reading also runs a Pre-sessional English Programme for students who narrowly miss the direct-entry requirement.

Are there entrance exams or interviews for any of these programmes?

There is no standalone written entrance exam for LLB Law or BSc Agriculture beyond standard UCAS academic-grade assessment. The Henley Flexible Executive MBA and DBA assess applications on academic transcripts, a CV, references and management/professional experience rather than a formal written exam, and some Henley routes may include an admissions interview at the School's discretion.

Is there a work-while-studying or scholarship option for international students?

Henley Business School offers Henley Business School Excellence Scholarships and Reading University Alumni discounts for eligible postgraduate applicants; the DBA and Flexible Executive MBA both list early-registration/early-bird discounts. International students on a UK Student visa can generally work up to 20 hours/week during term time, subject to current UK Home Office visa conditions, which applicants should verify independently as rules can change.

When does the academic year start, and when should I apply?

LLB Law and BSc Agriculture begin with September 2026 UCAS entry. LLM Advanced Legal Studies, MSc daily living Science, MSc Spatial Planning and Development, MSc Management and MSc International Business all have a confirmed September 2026 start (the LLM also offers a February intake). The Henley Flexible Executive MBA and DBA both begin with an October 2026 intake. There is no separate special certificate/pre-approval requirement (such as an APS-style certificate) for UK study.

Is Reading's LLB Law a 'qualifying law degree' that lets me become a solicitor?

Since the Solicitors Regulation Authority's 2021 SQE reform, England and Wales no longer uses the pre-2021 'qualifying law degree' route in that exact sense. A Reading LLB provides the recognised academic law training, but graduates must separately sit and pass the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) and complete qualifying work experience to become a solicitor, or the Bar course route to become a barrister.

What accommodation options and costs are available?

Reading offers university-managed halls across catered and self-catered options. For 2026/27, official halls range from roughly GBP 188/week (standard shared-bathroom, meal-plan halls) to GBP 295/week (en-suite, catered), per the University's published Accommodation Charges 2026-27 schedule. From second year, most students move into private shared housing in areas such as Caversham or central Reading, typically at a comparable or lower weekly cost but requiring independent tenancy management.

How is the University of Reading recognised or accredited, and what does that mean for my home country?

Reading is quality-reviewed by the UK's Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). Henley Business School holds the AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA triple accreditation -- a status held by fewer than 1% of business schools worldwide -- covering the MBA, DBA, MSc Management and MSc International Business in this catalogue. These are UK-domestic and international professional/quality recognitions; students should separately confirm how their home-country regulator or employer treats a UK degree.

How does the Henley Flexible Executive MBA compare to the DBA for a senior business career?

The Henley Flexible Executive MBA (GBP 36,000, part-time on campus, minimum three years' management experience) is a broad leadership and general-management qualification aimed at working professionals who want an internationally accredited MBA without leaving their job. The DBA (GBP 70,000 total across six years part-time, minimum five years' relevant experience plus a Master's degree) is a professional doctorate built around an original applied-research thesis, better suited to senior professionals who want doctoral-level research credentials rather than a general management refresh.

Is the University of Reading public or private?

The University of Reading is a public research university, granted its Royal Charter in 1926 after operating as University College Reading from 1892. It is not a member of the Russell Group.

What language are these programmes taught in?

All nine programmes in this catalogue -- LLB Law, LLM Advanced Legal Studies, BSc Agriculture, MSc daily living Science, MSc Spatial Planning and Development, the Henley Flexible Executive MBA, the DBA, MSc Management and MSc International Business -- are taught fully in English. International applicants must meet Reading's academic English requirement, typically IELTS 6.5 overall with no subskill below 5.5-6.0 depending on the course, or an approved equivalent.

Can I get direct admission straight after Class 12 (India) or equivalent school-leaving qualifications?

Yes, for the undergraduate BSc Agriculture and LLB Law routes, which assess Indian Class 12 board results against a UK A-level-equivalent grade profile on a case-by-case basis; applicants should check each course's international qualifications page before applying. The postgraduate and doctoral programmes in this catalogue (LLM, MSc daily living Science, MSc Spatial Planning and Development, MBA, DBA, MSc Management, MSc International Business) require a relevant undergraduate degree first, and the Flexible Executive MBA and DBA additionally require several years of professional/management experience.

What is the total cost of studying at Reading, including tuition, fees and living costs?

Confirmed 2026/27 international tuition is GBP 25,850/year for LLB Law, GBP 26,450 for the one-year LLM Advanced Legal Studies, GBP 30,650/year for BSc Agriculture, GBP 31,650 for the one-year MSc daily living Science, GBP 19,450 for the one-year full-time MSc Spatial Planning and Development, GBP 36,000 for the Henley Flexible Executive MBA, GBP 70,000 total across six years part-time for the DBA, and GBP 29,150 for the one-year MSc Management and MSc International Business. On top of tuition, budget roughly GBP 188-295/week for official university halls in 2026/27 plus personal living costs; Reading's overall living costs sit below central London but above many smaller UK university towns.

How do I apply to the University of Reading as an international student?

The undergraduate LLB Law and BSc Agriculture apply through UCAS. Postgraduate taught applicants (LLM, MSc daily living Science, MSc Spatial Planning and Development, MSc Management, MSc International Business) apply directly through Reading's own online postgraduate application portal linked from each course page. The Henley Flexible Executive MBA and DBA use Henley Business School's dedicated executive-education application routes, which require a CV, references and evidence of relevant professional experience.

What English-language test scores does Reading accept?

Reading accepts IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and other approved tests. Course-specific minimums in this catalogue range from IELTS 6.5 overall with no element below 5.5 (LLM, MSc daily living Science, MSc Management, MSc International Business, MSc Spatial Planning and Development) to IELTS 6.5 with a 6.0 subskill minimum for some routes; Reading also runs a Pre-sessional English Programme for students who narrowly miss the direct-entry requirement.

Are there entrance exams or interviews for any of these programmes?

There is no standalone written entrance exam for LLB Law or BSc Agriculture beyond standard UCAS academic-grade assessment. The Henley Flexible Executive MBA and DBA assess applications on academic transcripts, a CV, references and management/professional experience rather than a formal written exam, and some Henley routes may include an admissions interview at the School's discretion.

Is there a work-while-studying or scholarship option for international students?

Henley Business School offers Henley Business School Excellence Scholarships and Reading University Alumni discounts for eligible postgraduate applicants; the DBA and Flexible Executive MBA both list early-registration/early-bird discounts. International students on a UK Student visa can generally work up to 20 hours/week during term time, subject to current UK Home Office visa conditions, which applicants should verify independently as rules can change.

When does the academic year start, and when should I apply?

LLB Law and BSc Agriculture begin with September 2026 UCAS entry. LLM Advanced Legal Studies, MSc daily living Science, MSc Spatial Planning and Development, MSc Management and MSc International Business all have a confirmed September 2026 start (the LLM also offers a February intake). The Henley Flexible Executive MBA and DBA both begin with an October 2026 intake. There is no separate special certificate/pre-approval requirement (such as an APS-style certificate) for UK study.

Is Reading's LLB Law a 'qualifying law degree' that lets me become a solicitor?

Since the Solicitors Regulation Authority's 2021 SQE reform, England and Wales no longer uses the pre-2021 'qualifying law degree' route in that exact sense. A Reading LLB provides the recognised academic law training, but graduates must separately sit and pass the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) and complete qualifying work experience to become a solicitor, or the Bar course route to become a barrister.

What accommodation options and costs are available?

Reading offers university-managed halls across catered and self-catered options. For 2026/27, official halls range from roughly GBP 188/week (standard shared-bathroom, meal-plan halls) to GBP 295/week (en-suite, catered), per the University's published Accommodation Charges 2026-27 schedule. From second year, most students move into private shared housing in areas such as Caversham or central Reading, typically at a comparable or lower weekly cost but requiring independent tenancy management.

How is the University of Reading recognised or accredited, and what does that mean for my home country?

Reading is quality-reviewed by the UK's Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). Henley Business School holds the AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA triple accreditation -- a status held by fewer than 1% of business schools worldwide -- covering the MBA, DBA, MSc Management and MSc International Business in this catalogue. These are UK-domestic and international professional/quality recognitions; students should separately confirm how their home-country regulator or employer treats a UK degree.

How does the Henley Flexible Executive MBA compare to the DBA for a senior business career?

The Henley Flexible Executive MBA (GBP 36,000, part-time on campus, minimum three years' management experience) is a broad leadership and general-management qualification aimed at working professionals who want an internationally accredited MBA without leaving their job. The DBA (GBP 70,000 total across six years part-time, minimum five years' relevant experience plus a Master's degree) is a professional doctorate built around an original applied-research thesis, better suited to senior professionals who want doctoral-level research credentials rather than a general management refresh.

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DBA at University of Reading: Fee Structure

Year-wise DBA fee breakdown at University of Reading — annual tuition, hostel costs, and total program cost in USD.

Written by Students Traffic Research Team·Updated On: 12 Jul 2026

University of ReadingReading, United KingdomDBA · Public

Academics eligibility recognition admissions

Fee structure

University of Reading DBA fee structure

Tuition and living-cost information for DBA at University of Readingin Reading, United Kingdom. The treatment below reflects the evidence available for each programme.

Confirmed fees retain the university's published currency. Where a current programme fee is not public, request a tailored cost and funding plan instead of relying on a placeholder amount.

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

6 years · English medium · October intake

Confirmed fee schedule for the October 2026 intake, verified directly on the live course page's fee panel: Year 1 GBP 14,500, Year 2 GBP 14,500, Year 3 GBP 14,500, Year 4 GBP 11,500, Year 5 GBP 7,500, Year 6 GBP 7,500 (total GBP 70,000 across six years part-time). Additional registration beyond Year 6 requires PGR Dean approval and a continuation fee.

Fee data last verified: 2026-07-12

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