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2022/23
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BSc Biological Sciences with Foundation

  • UCAS code
    C102
  • Typical offer
    See entry requirements
  • Year of entry
    2023/24
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years
  • Year of entry
    2023/24
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years

This BSc Biological Sciences with Foundation course is ideal for anyone who is passionate about all aspects of biology, and can be tailored to match your interests.

Are you keen to take our BSc Biological Sciences course but haven’t taken the necessary A level subjects? Our BSc Biological Sciences with Foundation is a four-year programme that includes a year of foundational study and leads directly into the three-year course.

The majority of modules in BSc Biological Sciences are optional, giving you the opportunity to cover a broad range of topics or specialise in a particular area such as ecology and wildlife or human biology. You will be taught by experts in their fields and have access to a range of research facilities.

Within environmental biology options you will develop an understanding of ecology, conservation biology and humankind's impact on biodiversity. The University of Reading’s award-winning campus is home to more than 1,000 different animal species and is extremely useful for learning fieldwork skills. It also features the Cole Museum of Zoology and a herbarium, which house vast collections and offer volunteering opportunities. Additionally, you will have the chance to apply your scientific knowledge to a range of other habitats through our optional field courses. These normally last around two weeks and take place in locations such as Devon, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, Iceland, Spain and Colombia.

Within biomedical subjects you will develop an understanding of human physiology and the basis of disease. The course has a strong practical element, and you will gain valuable experience of laboratory work and learn key molecular genetic and cell biology techniques. During your final year you will have the chance to spend 11 weeks working on an original research project using cutting edge facilities and equipment. Previous topics include gene therapy of muscular dystrophy, emerging viral infections, the regulation of the stress response, stem cell biology, the spread of cancer and the control of blood clotting.

Our £60m Health and Life Sciences building is the home of the School of Biological Sciences. It offers state-of-the-art research and teaching laboratories, seminar rooms, and plenty of study and social space, including a café. The building also houses the Cole Museum of Zoology. The collection, featuring over 3,500 natural history specimens, provides a fantastic resource for biological scientists and the wider community.

Placement

You will have the opportunity to undertake paid vacation studentships funded by organisations such as the Wellcome Trust and the Nuffield Foundation. These can take place over six weeks during the summer break, or be carried out part-time over a longer period. During studentships you will typically work on a set project and benefit from valuable training in techniques, experimental design and the interpretation of data.

You can can also choose to take a work placement module.

Our department has a dedicated academic in charge of placements, who can provide you with advice and support.

Alternatively, you can opt to take the four-year version of this course (plus the additional foundational year), incorporating a year in industry.

For more information, please visit the School of Biological Sciences website. 

Overview

This BSc Biological Sciences with Foundation course is ideal for anyone who is passionate about all aspects of biology, and can be tailored to match your interests.

Are you keen to take our BSc Biological Sciences course but haven’t taken the necessary A level subjects? Our BSc Biological Sciences with Foundation is a four-year programme that includes a year of foundational study and leads directly into the three-year course.

The majority of modules in BSc Biological Sciences are optional, giving you the opportunity to cover a broad range of topics or specialise in a particular area such as ecology and wildlife or human biology. You will be taught by experts in their fields and have access to a range of research facilities.

Within environmental biology options you will develop an understanding of ecology, conservation biology and humankind's impact on biodiversity. The University of Reading’s award-winning campus is home to more than 1,000 different animal species and is extremely useful for learning fieldwork skills. It also features the Cole Museum of Zoology and a herbarium, which house vast collections and offer volunteering opportunities. Additionally, you will have the chance to apply your scientific knowledge to a range of other habitats through our optional field courses. These normally last around two weeks and take place in locations such as Devon, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, Iceland, Spain and Colombia.

Within biomedical subjects you will develop an understanding of human physiology and the basis of disease. The course has a strong practical element, and you will gain valuable experience of laboratory work and learn key molecular genetic and cell biology techniques. During your final year you will have the chance to spend 11 weeks working on an original research project using cutting edge facilities and equipment. Previous topics include gene therapy of muscular dystrophy, emerging viral infections, the regulation of the stress response, stem cell biology, the spread of cancer and the control of blood clotting.

Our £60m Health and Life Sciences building is the home of the School of Biological Sciences. It offers state-of-the-art research and teaching laboratories, seminar rooms, and plenty of study and social space, including a café. The building also houses the Cole Museum of Zoology. The collection, featuring over 3,500 natural history specimens, provides a fantastic resource for biological scientists and the wider community.

Placement

You will have the opportunity to undertake paid vacation studentships funded by organisations such as the Wellcome Trust and the Nuffield Foundation. These can take place over six weeks during the summer break, or be carried out part-time over a longer period. During studentships you will typically work on a set project and benefit from valuable training in techniques, experimental design and the interpretation of data.

You can can also choose to take a work placement module.

Our department has a dedicated academic in charge of placements, who can provide you with advice and support.

Alternatively, you can opt to take the four-year version of this course (plus the additional foundational year), incorporating a year in industry.

For more information, please visit the School of Biological Sciences website. 

Entry requirements A Level See entry requirements

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 - for applicants without Biology and a second science
  • CCC - for applicants with Biology and a second science

Acceptable science subjects include: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geology, Computer Science.

International Baccalaureate

  • 30 - for applicants without Biology and a second science
  • 24 - for applicants with Biology and a second science 

If you would like to receive personalised advice on your eligibility for our Foundation courses, please ask us a question.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DMM

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.

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.

Further requirements

If you are an international student planning to apply for one of our degree programmes, you may need to take a foundation course or pre-sessional course if you do not have qualifications that are equivalent to British A levels or if you need to improve your English language level.

  • Look at entry requirements by country.
  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme.
  • Learn more about our international foundation programme.

Structure

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Modules are dependent on which subject you choose, but may include:

  • Key skills for science research
  • Foundation: biology
  • Foundation: chemistry
  • Foundation: environment, ecology and sustainability
  • Foundation: mathematics
Please note that all modules are subject to change. 

Core modules include:

  • Building Blocks of Life
  • Introduction to Evolutionary Processes
  • Introductory Microbiology
  • Key Skills in Biomedicine or Key Skills in Ecology and Zoology
Additionally, students without AS or A2-level Chemistry, or an equivalent qualification, must take:
  • Fundamental Concepts in Chemistry 1

Optional modules include:

  • Metabolic and Practical Biochemistry
  • Bacteriology and Virology
  • Pathology
  • Laboratory and Study Skills for Biomedicine
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Fundamentals of Physics for Medicine 
  • Ecology 
  • Animal Diversity
  • Mammals: Diversity, Behaviour and Conservation
  • Animal Behaviour
  • Plant Diversity, Structure and Utilisation
  • Metabolic Biochemistry
  • Current Topics in Zoology and Ecology
  • Climatology
  • Soils in the Environment
  • Institution Wide Language Programme
  • Introduction to Agriculture and Food Systems
  • Introduction to Crop Production
  • Digestion and Nutrition
  • Ecology and Environmental Management
  • Humans and the Environment
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • Venoms and Poisons
  • Key Skills in Biomedicine 2 or Key Skills in Ecology and Zoology 2

Optional modules include:

  • Wildlife Documentary: Ecology and Representation
  • Endocrinology
  • Vertebrate Zoology
  • Pharmacology and Toxicology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Reptiles and Dinosaurs
  • The Bacterial Cell
  • Introduction to Bioinformatics
  • Cells and Immunity
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Physiological Biochemistry
  • Protein Structure and Function
  • Clinical Biomedicine
  • Medical Applications of Physics
  • Fundamentals of Neuroscience
  • Invertebrate Zoology
  • Management of Vertebrate Pests
  • Tropical Biology Field Course (Ecuador/Galapagos)
  • Biodiversity Field Course (Spain)
  • Ecology and Conservation Field Course (Tanzania)
  • Introduction to Entomology
  • Biodiversity: Exploiters and Exploited
  • Birds: Diversity, Behaviour and Conservation
  • Practical Animal Behaviour
  • Marine Biology and Conservation
  • Nature Conservation in Practice
  • Summer Placement
  • Methods in Ecology and Environmental Management
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.

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

During the course, emphasis is placed on developing transferable skills such as computer literacy, information retrieval, data handling and communication skills.

You could find employment in a wide range of roles across sectors including healthcare, agriculture, commercial manufacturing, environmental management and publishing. You may also decide to take up a research career or move into further study.

Overall, 93% of graduates from Biological Sciences are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (based on HESA data, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20; includes all Biological Sciences responders).

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

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Related Subjects


  • Biological Sciences
  • Foundation programmes

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