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Our courses

Our undergraduate degrees offer you a wealth of options for learning about the living world. Explore biological sciences in all its breadth or focus on a specialist discipline that fascinates you.

All our courses are available with a foundation year and a year with professional experience.

BSc Zoology

Study zoology from day one and gain expertise in the behaviour, anatomy, physiology, ecology and evolution of animals of all kinds, from trilobites to tigers.

BSc Ecology and Wildlife Conservation

Gain valuable insight into the natural world and how we can preserve biodiversity. This course will prepare you for a career protecting the world's living organisms.

BSc Biological Sciences

This flexible course is ideal if you are passionate about all aspects of biology. Cover a broad range of topics or specialise in a particular area such as ecology and wildlife or biomedical sciences.

Fees and funding

There is a variety of funding support available to our undergraduates. You may be eligible for government loans, grants or bursaries.

Students from the UK can receive government loans to help towards tuition fees and living costs. They may also be eligible for grants and bursaries depending on their circumstances.

Undergraduate fees and funding

Careers

Throughout your degree, you will develop transferable skills such as computer literacy, information retrieval, data handling and communication skills, which will be essential in any career.

Students on our Biological Sciences degree could find employment in a wide range of sectors including healthcare, agriculture, commercial manufacturing, environmental management, science sales and management and science communication.

Ecology graduates could work for government-funded agencies tackling issues such as pollution mitigation, or provide ecological consultancy for any number of organisations. At Reading, we have a proven record of training students for employment as ecologists and conservationists. Upon graduation, you will be able to join the Society of Biology and apply for Chartered Biologist status.

Many of our zoology graduates have gone into the field of conserving and protecting wildlife. Examples include directly managing wildlife or working in animal welfare, taxonomy or biodiversity. Others have gone into environmental law and policy, fundraising and educating the public in the challenges we face.

You may also decide to take up further study or move into a research career.

Overall, 92% of graduates from Biological Sciences are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation..*

Find out more about how the University of Reading will help with your career.

*Based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2022, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20; includes first degree Biological Sciences responders.

A student taking a photograph of plants in a wood

How you'll study

Ecology and evolutionary biology are very diverse fields, and our teaching structure is equally diverse. Learn through lectures, small group tutorials, practical work and field trips.
Whiteknights lake surrounded by trees

Why study with us?

With no common first year, you will be able to concentrate on your subject from day one, in a stimulating environment on a beautiful "living laboratory" campus. 

Life in the Department

Join our friendly, supportive community who are as passionate about the biological sciences as you are.
Athena SWAN Silver Award