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Life as an undergraduate

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

Our academics will help you make the most of your time with us, and you'll have many opportunities to socialise, collaborate with your peers and gain practical experience.

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What I enjoyed most about the zoology course at Reading was the range of interesting modules available. Even from my first year, I studied zoology-specific modules. The course was therefore more engaging and felt specialised. 

Rochelle Neve Edwards

BSc Zoology graduate

Modern, specialist facilities

Our new, £60m Health and Life Sciences building is purpose-built for teaching and research.

It houses a flexible teaching lab that can be subdivided to create up to four separate spaces. It is also home to seminar rooms, specialist research laboratories for undergraduate, master's and PhD students, the Cole Museum of Zoology, a cafe and a social space.

Learn more about our facilities

Award-winning campus

You will study on our parkland campus at Whiteknights, which has been voted among the best and most popular green spaces in the UK for 13 consecutive years in the Green Flag awards.

We treat our campus as a living laboratory; both staff and students make the most of their immediate surroundings for field work.

Professional placements

BSc Zoology graduate Jake Lacey has always had a passion for reptiles. His Professional Placement Year with RSPCA Reptile Rescue Centre in Brighton provided an experience beyond his expectations.

Learn more about placements


Reading Students' Union societies and volunteering

Reading Students' Union offers multiple societies that may be of interest to biological sciences students. 

Biological Sciences Society

This society is for all students in the School of Biological Sciences, offering course support, academic events and socials.

Zoology Society

Open to anyone with a passion for the natural world, this society organises animal handling events, professional guest speakers and day trips.

Bird Society

Join this society if you’re interested in learning more about birds. Enjoy walks around the campus and trips to the Living Rainforest, BirdWorld, Dinton Pastures and other local nature reserves.

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Our courses

Our undergraduate degrees offer you a wealth of options for learning about the living world. Explore our BSc Biological Sciences, BSc Ecology and Wildlife Conservation and BSc Zoology courses.
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. 
Athena SWAN Silver Award