How you'll study your degree

Your learning experience

You will learn in lectures, small group seminars, laboratory practical lessons and placements – a mix of teaching methods to provide an engaging experience.

Tailor your degree

We offer a wide array of modules so you can tailor your degree to your interests.

Biological scientists can study all aspects of biology. Biochemists, microbiologists, and biomedical and medical scientists can study their chosen subject from day one.

Lectures and practical work

Biomedical science is a very practical discipline. You'll learn theory in lectures and practical skills in our suite of new laboratories, right from the beginning of your course.

Taught by experts

Learn from passionate experts who conduct research at the forefront of biomedical science.

Classes are kept small and interactive so that you can interact with peers and lecturers.

Read Dr Sam Boateng's story

Placements

Taking a placement will allow you to gain valuable professional experience in the workplace, learn new skills and increase your visibility to employers.

Variety of placement options

With all our degrees, you can choose to undertake a year-long placement between your second and final year.

Alternatively, you can choose to complete a placement as part of the Reading Internship Scheme (RIS). RIS offers a wide variety of internships across a multitude of sectors, including research internships with both our academics and external organisations.

Students on the BSc Medical Sciences course have multiple healthcare placements built into the timetable.

Close links with industry

The School of Biological Sciences has excellent relationships with employers in the field.

Our students have worked at Diamond Light Source (the UK's national synchrotron), Public Health England, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, Covance, the Microbiology Society, and in hospitals.

Academic research placements are also available.

Study abroad

To learn about the benefits of studying abroad, and discover where you could go, visit the Study Abroad website.

Placement support

Our School has a dedicated member of staff in charge of placements, who can provide you with advice and support.

The University is keen that everyone's placement should be as useful as possible. Learn more about institution-wide support for placements.

Field trips

BSc Microbiology students can undertake a field trip in the summer before the final year. You’ll spend two weeks investigating Arctic microbiology in Northern Iceland or tropical microbiology in Colombia – this is an exciting opportunity to study microorganisms that inhabit unusual environments.

Students on the BSc Biological Sciences course can join their peers on the ecology and zoology field trips.