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CHOOSE A SUBJECT
2022/23
2023/24
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Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • Pharmacy
  • Physician Associate

Subjects A-B

  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
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  • Chemistry
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  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
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  • Speech and Language Therapy
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  • Theatre & Performance

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
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  • Art
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  • Biomedical Sciences
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  • Zoology

BSc Animal Science with Placement Year

  • UCAS code
    D300
  • Typical offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2023/24
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years
  • Year of entry
    2023/24
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years

If you would like a future working with animals, our BSc Animal Science with Placement Year degree offers the perfect route into a wide range of careers in industry, research, education or the veterinary sector.

The difference between this degree and BSc Animal Science is that it includes a relevant placement year in the UK or abroad between the second and final year.

Animal science encompasses the scientific disciplines underpinning the management of farm, companion and captive animals, including; physiology, biochemistry, nutrition, growth, lactation, reproduction, health, behaviour and welfare.

Our flexible degrees ensure you have a sound grounding in the biosciences, including cell biology, biochemistry, physiology and the nutritional sciences, while enabling you to apply this knowledge to areas of interest, such as: livestock production, canine, feline and equine science, small animal management, zoo animal management and conservation.

Through a variety of teaching methods, you will not only acquire specialist knowledge and key laboratory skills, but also skills in team working, problem-solving, numeracy, data handling and statistical analysis, all of which are skills that are highly regarded by employers.

University-owned farms, including the renowned Centre for Dairy Research (CEDAR) with its dairy herd of 550 cows and other species, provide excellent facilities for practical research projects. Connections with zoos, equine centres, vet clinics and small animal facilities locally provide further opportunities for field visits and practical work.

You will also be encouraged to consider a study abroad experience as part of your degree programme. The University has a wide range of exchange partners in Europe and across the world in Australia, Canada and the USA (subject to availability).

Whether you have experience working with animals or not, our supportive academics will give you the individual attention to make sure you get the most out of your studies. If you haven’t made your mind up about your future career, this degree can help you to discover new areas of interest, as well as offering the flexibility to let you adapt and specialise as you learn.

If you would like to make a difference to the health and well-being of both animals and humans in an ever-changing world, then Animal Science at the University of Reading is the degree for you.

For more information, please visit the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development website. 

Placement

This degree includes a relevant industrial placement year in the UK or abroad between the second and final year. You will benefit from our links with the animal science community, including leading organisations and companies, and we have a dedicated member of staff providing support and advice on suitable placements.

In the past, students have undertaken placements at Danisco Animal Nutrition (DuPont), Paignton and Chester Zoos, and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation.

For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.

Overview

If you would like a future working with animals, our BSc Animal Science with Placement Year degree offers the perfect route into a wide range of careers in industry, research, education or the veterinary sector.

The difference between this degree and BSc Animal Science is that it includes a relevant placement year in the UK or abroad between the second and final year.

Animal science encompasses the scientific disciplines underpinning the management of farm, companion and captive animals, including; physiology, biochemistry, nutrition, growth, lactation, reproduction, health, behaviour and welfare.

Our flexible degrees ensure you have a sound grounding in the biosciences, including cell biology, biochemistry, physiology and the nutritional sciences, while enabling you to apply this knowledge to areas of interest, such as: livestock production, canine, feline and equine science, small animal management, zoo animal management and conservation.

Through a variety of teaching methods, you will not only acquire specialist knowledge and key laboratory skills, but also skills in team working, problem-solving, numeracy, data handling and statistical analysis, all of which are skills that are highly regarded by employers.

University-owned farms, including the renowned Centre for Dairy Research (CEDAR) with its dairy herd of 550 cows and other species, provide excellent facilities for practical research projects. Connections with zoos, equine centres, vet clinics and small animal facilities locally provide further opportunities for field visits and practical work.

You will also be encouraged to consider a study abroad experience as part of your degree programme. The University has a wide range of exchange partners in Europe and across the world in Australia, Canada and the USA (subject to availability).

Whether you have experience working with animals or not, our supportive academics will give you the individual attention to make sure you get the most out of your studies. If you haven’t made your mind up about your future career, this degree can help you to discover new areas of interest, as well as offering the flexibility to let you adapt and specialise as you learn.

If you would like to make a difference to the health and well-being of both animals and humans in an ever-changing world, then Animal Science at the University of Reading is the degree for you.

For more information, please visit the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development website. 

Placement

This degree includes a relevant industrial placement year in the UK or abroad between the second and final year. You will benefit from our links with the animal science community, including leading organisations and companies, and we have a dedicated member of staff providing support and advice on suitable placements.

In the past, students have undertaken placements at Danisco Animal Nutrition (DuPont), Paignton and Chester Zoos, and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation.

For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.

Entry requirements A Level BBB

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Typical offer

BBB, including Biology and one other science subject (Chemistry preferred)

Acceptable science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Studies, Applied Science, Geology.

International Baccalaureate

30 points overall, including Biology and one other science subject at higher level (Chemistry preferred)

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

BTEC National Diploma

DDM (Modules taken must be comparable to A level subjects specified)

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

  • Learn more about our International Foundation programme

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3
  • Year 4

2021 core modules include:

  • Animal science in practice 1 
  • Building blocks of life 
  • Digestion and nutrition 
  • Introductory physiology 
  • Introductory microbiology 
  • Metabolic biochemistry 

Optional modules include:

  • Ecology
  • Fundamental concepts in chemistry 1 
  • Institution Wide Language Programme (IWLP) module
  • Introduction to livestock production 
  • Introduction to management 
  • Reading Experience and Development (RED) Award 
  • Animal behaviour
  • Mammals: diversity, behaviour and conservation

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • Animal growth, lactation and reproduction 
  • Animal health and disease 
  • Animal science in practice 2 
  • Animal nutrition 
  • Experimental design and data analysis
  • Mini work placement and professional development 

Optional modules include:

  • Animal production 
  • Cells and immunity 
  • Endocrinology 
  • Grassland management and ecology
  • IWLP language module 
  • Molecular genetics 
  • Nature conservation 
  • Small animal management 
  • Vertebrate zoology 
  • Biodiversity: exploiters and exploited
  • Birds: diversity, behaviour and conservation 
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • Professional placement
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • Animal welfare 
  • Individual Research Project

Optional modules include:

  • Cancer and cell communication 
  • Canine and feline science 
  • Captive animal management 
  • Cardiovascular disease 
  • Conservation biology 
  • Dairy production 
  • Equine science 
  • Equine science and management 
  • IWLP language module
  • Mammalian reproduction 
  • Meat Production and quality
  • Practical animal nutrition 
  • Wildlife and farming 
  • Wildlife diseases 
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250

New international students: £24,500

UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Placement year fees

If you spend a full year on placement, you will only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee for that year. For more information, please see our fees and funding pages or contact placements@reading.ac.uk.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

Our courses equip you with numerical, laboratory, scientific, research and work skills useful for any animal-based career, whether in industry, research, education or the agriculture, food and veterinary sectors.

Recent graduates have found scientific, technical and management positions in companies concerned with animal health and nutrition, the pharmaceutical sector and the biotechnology sector, including DuPont, BOCM Pauls, Mars Petcare and Envigo Ltd. Other students have progressed into teaching, master's degrees or postgraduate research programmes, or accelerated veterinary medicine programmes.

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

Take the next step


How to apply for 2023 entry

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Related Subjects


  • Animal Science
  • Wildlife Conservation

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