Established in 1945, Henley Business School holds the distinction of being the first business school in the UK and one of the oldest and most respected in Europe. Initially founded at Greenlands in Henley-on-Thames with the aim of fostering collaboration and skill development between public and private sector employees, it has evolved significantly over the decades, diversifying its programs and becoming a truly international institution. In 2008, Henley Management College merged with the University of Reading, forming the current Henley Business School. Henley is a truly international institution, attracting students and faculty from over 100 countries and boasting a global alumni network of over 100,000 members in over 160 countries. Many of its programs have a strong international focus, and study abroad opportunities are often available.
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Established in 1945, Henley Business School holds the distinction of being the first business school in the UK and one of the oldest and most respected in Europe. Initially founded at Greenlands in Henley-on-Thames with the aim of fostering collaboration and skill development between public and private sector employees, it has evolved significantly over the decades, diversifying its programs and becoming a truly international institution. In 2008, Henley Management College merged with the University of Reading, forming the current Henley Business School. Henley is a truly international institution, attracting students and faculty from over 100 countries and boasting a global alumni network of over 100,000 members in over 160 countries. Many of its programs have a strong international focus, and study abroad opportunities are often available.
Diverse and Supportive Community: Henley Business School fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment for students from all backgrounds. The diverse student body creates a rich learning and social experience.
Integration with University Life: As part of the University of Reading, Henley students have access to the broader university's facilities and services, including libraries, sports centers, student unions, and social events.
Dedicated Careers and Professional Development Support: Henley Business School has a strong focus on enhancing students' employability. A dedicated careers team, often comprising careers consultants who also teach on the programs, provides personalized guidance, workshops, and events to help students with career planning, CV writing, interview skills, and networking. They also work to connect students with top organizations for job opportunities.
Active Student Community and Networking: Students can engage in a variety of clubs and societies within the wider university, catering to diverse interests. Henley also fosters its own networking opportunities through events, guest speaker sessions, and its extensive global alumni network, providing lifelong connections with professionals worldwide.
The "Henley Live" online platform serves as a hub for current students, alumni, staff, and business professionals to connect and engage.
For Whiteknights Campus (Reading):
University Halls of Residence: The vast majority of undergraduate students, especially first years, live in University of Reading accommodation located on or very close to the Whiteknights and London Road campuses. There's a wide variety of hall types and catering options managed by the university.
Private Rentals (Reading): Popular areas for shared student houses/flats include:
The "student area" east of campus around Erleigh Road, London Road, and Cemetery Junction (good amenities, close to campus, lively).
Lower Earley (suburban area south-east, good bus links).
Near the Town Centre (convenient for station/shops, can be pricier).
Areas like Whitley (south) may offer more budget-friendly options.
Private Student Halls (PBSA): Several large private halls are located mainly in Reading town centre (e.g., Queens Court, Kendrick Hall, Crown House, Student Castle Reading), offering en-suite/studio rooms often with gyms/social spaces, typically at a higher cost than university halls or shared houses.
For Greenlands Campus (Henley-on-Thames):
On-Campus Accommodation: The Greenlands campus has 100 hotel-standard en-suite bedrooms. This accommodation is primarily used by participants on Executive Education courses and residential MBA programmes, often included as part of the programme package. It's generally not standard student hall accommodation for typical undergraduate/postgraduate degrees.
Henley-on-Thames Town: Private rental options (flats, houses) are limited and generally expensive, reflecting Henley's status as an affluent market town rather than a major student hub. Shared student housing is less common here.
Commuting: Students on non-residential programmes at Greenlands might commute from larger towns like Reading (best range of student housing but requires significant commute by bus or car), Marlow, or High Wycombe. These areas offer more rental options but involve daily travel.
Near Whiteknights Campus (Reading):
Reading Town Centre: Explore the Oracle and Broad Street Mall shopping centres, Reading Museum, the historic Reading Abbey Ruins, and Forbury Gardens. Enjoy diverse restaurants, pubs, and cafes.
River Thames & River Kennet: Enjoy walks along the Thames Path, consider a boat trip from Caversham Pier, or try watersports activities available locally.
University Campus: The Whiteknights campus itself is large and park-like, featuring lakes, woodland (Harris Garden), and the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) on the adjacent London Road campus.
Entertainment: Catch a show at the Hexagon theatre or South Street Arts Centre, watch a film at the Vue cinema, or visit local independent venues.
Day Trips: Reading's excellent train links make day trips easy to London, Oxford, Windsor Castle, and Henley-on-Thames.
Near Greenlands Campus (Henley-on-Thames):
Henley Town Centre: Wander the charming streets, visit independent shops, enjoy riverside pubs and restaurants, see the historic Henley Bridge and St Mary's Church.
River Thames: Experience the river that defines Henley – take a boat trip (e.g., Hobbs of Henley), walk the Thames Path, or simply enjoy the views. The campus has direct river frontage. See the Leander Club, a world-famous rowing hub.
River & Rowing Museum: Located in Henley, detailing the history of rowing, the Thames, and the town.
Chiltern Hills AONB: The campus is nestled within this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering beautiful countryside for walking and cycling right on the doorstep.
Local Attractions: Visit nearby stately homes like Stonor Park or Greys Court (National Trust), explore local breweries or vineyards. The world-famous Henley Royal Regatta takes place annually (usually early July) transforming the town.
Nearby Towns: Explore picturesque Marlow downstream or the historic village of Sonning upstream.
For Whiteknights Campus (Reading):
Train: Reading Station is a major rail hub with excellent connections. Direct trains run frequently from London Paddington (around 25-30 mins on fast services, longer via the Elizabeth Line), Oxford, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, and other major cities. Earley Station (on the London Waterloo line) is also within walking distance (approx. 20 mins) of the eastern side of campus.
Bus: Reading Buses provide excellent services. Routes 21 and 21a run 24/7 directly from Reading Station/Town Centre onto the Whiteknights campus very frequently (every 7-8 minutes during peak daytime). Other routes like the Leopard 3 and Buzz 9 serve stops near the Shinfield Road entrance, and the Lion 4 serves the Earley Gate entrance. Discounted student passes (simplyUni) are available.
Park & Ride: A free Park & Ride service (Route 300) runs from Mereoak (M4 Junction 11) to Christchurch Green, a short walk from campus, for university staff and students showing their campus card.
Cycling/Walking: The campus is cycle-friendly, and it's about a 40-minute walk from Reading Station.
Airports: London Heathrow (LHR) is closest, best connected via the direct RailAir bus link to Reading Station. London Gatwick (LGW) has direct train services to Reading.
For Greenlands Campus (Henley-on-Thames):
Train: The nearest station is Henley-on-Thames, served by a branch line connecting to the mainline at Twyford (for Reading and London Paddington). High Wycombe station (Chiltern line to London Marylebone) is another possibility but requires a longer onward journey.
Bus: Carousel Buses route 800/850 (Reading-Henley-Marlow-High Wycombe) stops on the main road (A4155) near the Greenlands campus entrance. Check current timetables for frequency. There is a walk from the bus stop into the campus grounds.
Taxi: Often the most convenient way to get directly to the Greenlands campus from Henley, Twyford, or High Wycombe train stations.
Car: The campus is located just outside Henley on the A4155 towards Marlow. On-site parking is generally available, particularly for residential programme attendees. Sat Nav postcode is RG9 3AU.
Airports: London Heathrow is the most convenient. Onward travel typically involves the RailAir bus to Reading, then train travel (to Twyford then Henley) and/or a taxi.