Assistant Student Recruitment and Access Officer(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

About the Role

The University of Reading is looking for an enthusiastic and highly organised Assistant Student Recruitment and Access Officer to support its UK student recruitment and widening participation work.

This is a hands-on, people-facing role at the heart of the University’s outreach activity. You’ll help prospective students understand their higher education options, promote the value of university study, and support initiatives that encourage participation from under-represented groups.

The role is particularly well suited to a recent graduate or placement student interested in higher education, outreach, communications, or student engagement. You’ll gain valuable experience working directly with schools, colleges, students, and colleagues across the University.

All activity supports national priorities around access, participation, and fair admissions in higher education

What You’ll Be Doing

Your work will span three core areas:

1. Recruitment & Outreach Projects

• Supporting on-campus recruitment and outreach initiatives
• Coordinating student-led promotional materials
• Assisting with subject-specific events and visit days

2. School & College Engagement

• Representing the University at UK schools, colleges, and HE fairs
• Delivering clear, engaging presentations to prospective students
• Promoting higher education pathways in line with widening participation goals

3. Enquiries & Student Support

• Responding to enquiries from prospective students and advisers
• Providing accurate information via email and in person
• Supporting a shared, team-based enquiry service
• All engagement with young people will follow statutory safeguarding guidance

Who We’re Looking For

You’ll be a confident communicator who enjoys working with people and managing multiple priorities. You don’t need prior university recruitment experience, but you should be motivated, professional, and keen to learn.

You’ll bring:

• Strong organisational and time-management skills
• Clear and engaging verbal presentation skills
• A friendly, approachable manner with students and colleagues
• The ability to work independently while contributing to a wider team
• An interest in education, access, and student opportunity

This role involves working with children and young people and therefore requires a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check with a children’s barred list check. It is a regulated activity and exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). Further guidance can be found at:

About Student Recruitment & Access

UK Student Recruitment & Outreach leads the University’s work to attract undergraduate and postgraduate students from across the UK, while also supporting access and participation initiatives.

The team works closely with schools, colleges, and communities to:

• Raise awareness of higher education
• Support informed decision-making
• Encourage applications from students of all backgrounds
• This work aligns with national access and participation priorities

Visa and Right to Work Information

Due to the complexity of the Skilled Worker visa route, applicants who require sponsorship are strongly advised to review eligibility guidance before applying

The University is unable to provide individual visa advice at the application stage and will only discuss visa options with candidates invited to interview.

Equality, Inclusion and Flexibility

The University of Reading is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We proudly support:

• The Athena SWAN Charter
• The Race Equality Charter
• LGBT+ equality initiatives
• We are also a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2)

Applications for job-share, part-time, secondment, and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and considered in line with business needs.