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  • Zoology

BSc Zoology with Foundation

  • UCAS code
    C301
  • 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

Study animals in their natural habitat – gaining expertise in evolution, physiology, behaviour and conservation – and develop core academic skills with our BSc Zoology with Foundation degree.

This four-year programme includes a foundation year that leads directly into the three-year BSc Zoology course. It provides an excellent route to a degree in zoology if you do not have the typical entry requirements.

Foundation year

The foundation year will provide you with the skills and knowledge to succeed at university. You’ll develop core skills in academic study, writing and research.

Your subject-specific studies will focus on basic principles in:

  • biology
  • chemistry
  • ecology
  • sustainability
  • mathematics.

Your learning will be delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, practical classes and workshops.

A foundation year is more than just a stepping-stone to a degree. You will also benefit from:

  • access to our full range of facilities and resources
  • full integration into university life, before your degree year begins
  • experience of an academic environment, and the ability to work independently
  • specialist support and guidance.

After successful completion of your foundation year, you’ll progress onto our three-year BSc Zoology degree.

Not many degrees give you the opportunity to get your hands on a lion’s skull at the University’s own museum, but with our BSc Zoology course, that’s just a tiny part of what’s on offer.

Zoology is the science of animals: whether you’re passionate about one particular group of animals, or interested in the subject as a whole, we’ll help you get the most out of your degree.

Choose BSc Zoology at the University of Reading

  • 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).
  • All graduates are eligible for membership of The Royal Society of Biology and can apply for Chartered Biologist status.

Many other universities offer a one-size-fits-all, shared first year to all students – from ecologists to biochemists – but, at Reading, you’ll study animals from day one.

Enthusiastic academics from the School of Biological Sciences will teach you about animal life at all levels, from the simplest forms through to birds and mammals.

Your zoology studies will explore the breadth of the animal world, including:

  • populations
  • ecosystems
  • animal behaviour
  • evolution
  • biodiversity
  • conservation.

Our wide range of optional modules enables you to follow your specific interests in this vast, fascinating area of study.

Field courses

Field courses are one of the most popular aspects of our degree, offering unique opportunities for real-world, experiential learning.

You’ll develop practical experience of lab and field research techniques, equipping you with essential skills and confidence and boosting your employability.

In your second year, our field courses could take you to a variety of locations across Europe and beyond. For example, our Tropical Zoology Field Course module has allowed students to learn first-hand about the amazing wildlife, biodiversity, and conservation efforts in locations such as:

  • the Galapagos Islands
  • Tanzania
  • South Africa
  • Canada.

The costs of these trips are not included, although all are subsidised.

In your final year, you can complete a field or lab-based research project under expert supervision – an opportunity no longer offered in many universities. Our projects have ranged from studying urban mammals such as hedgehogs, foxes and red kites, to insects and pond or fresh-water animals, to animals in zoos.

Specialist facilities

Your studies will be based in our £60m Health and Life Sciences building. This space features:

  • research and teaching laboratories
  • seminar rooms
  • study and social space
  • a cafe.

The building is also home to the Cole Museum of Zoology. The collection, comprising more than 3,500 natural specimens, provides a fantastic resource for biological scientists and the wider community.

The Museum will feature extensively in your zoology studies, offering unique opportunities to develop hands-on skills in taxonomy and natural history conservation. As a student, you can also volunteer at the museum and receive training in curation.

Placements with BSc Zoology

Our degree offers placement opportunities, either as a one-year option with our BSc Zoology with Professional Experience, or as a short summer module.

Placements are available across the UK and around the world – past students have travelled to regions as diverse as Canada, New Zealand, the Azores, and Iceland.

Recent placements have included:

  • Bristol Zoo
  • Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
  • Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust
  • Quantock Ecology
  • Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).
  • Environment Agency.

You’ll receive advice and support to find your ideal placement. For more information, visit our Zoology placement webpages.

  • Luke Forrest completed a one-year placement at Dstl, enhancing the behaviour and training of operational search dogs, and acquired the skills and experience to land a job with them after he graduated.

Study Abroad

As part of your degree, you can apply to study for a year abroad at one of our partner universities across the world.

All classes are conducted in English and bursaries are available to help with travel and accommodation costs.

Visit the Study Abroad website for more information.

Overview

Study animals in their natural habitat – gaining expertise in evolution, physiology, behaviour and conservation – and develop core academic skills with our BSc Zoology with Foundation degree.

This four-year programme includes a foundation year that leads directly into the three-year BSc Zoology course. It provides an excellent route to a degree in zoology if you do not have the typical entry requirements.

Foundation year

The foundation year will provide you with the skills and knowledge to succeed at university. You’ll develop core skills in academic study, writing and research.

Your subject-specific studies will focus on basic principles in:

  • biology
  • chemistry
  • ecology
  • sustainability
  • mathematics.

Your learning will be delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, practical classes and workshops.

A foundation year is more than just a stepping-stone to a degree. You will also benefit from:

  • access to our full range of facilities and resources
  • full integration into university life, before your degree year begins
  • experience of an academic environment, and the ability to work independently
  • specialist support and guidance.

Learning

After successful completion of your foundation year, you’ll progress onto our three-year BSc Zoology degree.

Not many degrees give you the opportunity to get your hands on a lion’s skull at the University’s own museum, but with our BSc Zoology course, that’s just a tiny part of what’s on offer.

Zoology is the science of animals: whether you’re passionate about one particular group of animals, or interested in the subject as a whole, we’ll help you get the most out of your degree.

Choose BSc Zoology at the University of Reading

  • 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).
  • All graduates are eligible for membership of The Royal Society of Biology and can apply for Chartered Biologist status.

Many other universities offer a one-size-fits-all, shared first year to all students – from ecologists to biochemists – but, at Reading, you’ll study animals from day one.

Enthusiastic academics from the School of Biological Sciences will teach you about animal life at all levels, from the simplest forms through to birds and mammals.

Your zoology studies will explore the breadth of the animal world, including:

  • populations
  • ecosystems
  • animal behaviour
  • evolution
  • biodiversity
  • conservation.

Our wide range of optional modules enables you to follow your specific interests in this vast, fascinating area of study.

Field courses

Field courses are one of the most popular aspects of our degree, offering unique opportunities for real-world, experiential learning.

You’ll develop practical experience of lab and field research techniques, equipping you with essential skills and confidence and boosting your employability.

In your second year, our field courses could take you to a variety of locations across Europe and beyond. For example, our Tropical Zoology Field Course module has allowed students to learn first-hand about the amazing wildlife, biodiversity, and conservation efforts in locations such as:

  • the Galapagos Islands
  • Tanzania
  • South Africa
  • Canada.

The costs of these trips are not included, although all are subsidised.

In your final year, you can complete a field or lab-based research project under expert supervision – an opportunity no longer offered in many universities. Our projects have ranged from studying urban mammals such as hedgehogs, foxes and red kites, to insects and pond or fresh-water animals, to animals in zoos.

Specialist facilities

Your studies will be based in our £60m Health and Life Sciences building. This space features:

  • research and teaching laboratories
  • seminar rooms
  • study and social space
  • a cafe.

The building is also home to the Cole Museum of Zoology. The collection, comprising more than 3,500 natural specimens, provides a fantastic resource for biological scientists and the wider community.

The Museum will feature extensively in your zoology studies, offering unique opportunities to develop hands-on skills in taxonomy and natural history conservation. As a student, you can also volunteer at the museum and receive training in curation.

Placements with BSc Zoology

Our degree offers placement opportunities, either as a one-year option with our BSc Zoology with Professional Experience, or as a short summer module.

Placements are available across the UK and around the world – past students have travelled to regions as diverse as Canada, New Zealand, the Azores, and Iceland.

Recent placements have included:

  • Bristol Zoo
  • Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
  • Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust
  • Quantock Ecology
  • Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).
  • Environment Agency.

You’ll receive advice and support to find your ideal placement. For more information, visit our Zoology placement webpages.

  • Luke Forrest completed a one-year placement at Dstl, enhancing the behaviour and training of operational search dogs, and acquired the skills and experience to land a job with them after he graduated.

Study Abroad

As part of your degree, you can apply to study for a year abroad at one of our partner universities across the world.

All classes are conducted in English and bursaries are available to help with travel and accommodation costs.

Visit the Study Abroad website for more information.

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
  • Key Skills in Ecology and Zoology
  • Ecology
  • Animal Behaviour 
  • Animal Diversity
  • Current Topics in Zoology and Ecology.

Optional modules include:

  • Digestion and Nutrition
  • Global Sustainability: Challenges and Prospects
  • Bacteriology and Virology
  • Laboratory and Study Skills for Biomedicine
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Mammals: Diversity, Behaviour, and Conservation
  • Plant Diversity, Structure and Utilisation
  • Metabolic Biochemistry
  • Introductory Microbiology.

Please note that all modules are subject to change.


Core modules include:

  • Key Skills in Ecology and Zoology 2
  • Vertebrate Zoology
  • Invertebrate Zoology
  • Birds: Diversity, Behaviour and Conservation
  • Biodiversity: Exploiters and Exploited 
  • Introduction to Entomology

Optional modules include:

  • Methods in Ecology and Environmental Management
  • Cells and Immunity
  • Pharmacology and Toxicology
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Tropical Biology Field Course (Ecuador/Galapagos)
  • Ecology and Conservation Field Course (Tanzania)
  • Part 2 Zoology Field Course (Devon)
  • Management of Vertebrate Pests
  • Reptiles and Dinosaurs
  • Venoms and Poisons
  • Biodiversity Field Course (Spain)
  • Marine Biology and Conservation
  • Marine Biology and Conservation Field Course (South Africa)
  • Nature Conservation in Practice
  • Practical Animal Behaviour
  • Summer Placement
  • Wildlife Documentary: Ecology and Representation

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

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).

As a numerate scientist, you will graduate with transferable skills for a wide range of animal-based or biological sciences-based career.

Our BSc Zoology graduates enter a variety of careers, including:

  • conservation
  • ecotourism
  • animal welfare
  • education
  • consultancy
  • pharmaceuticals
  • wildlife management
  • agriculture
  • the civil service
  • local government conservation units
  • animal charities.

If you’re interested in postgraduate study, we offer a number of zoology master’s courses.

  • Matthew Greenwell enjoyed his BSc Zoology degree so much that he decided to pursue a PhD at Reading, aiming to positively impact the future of butterfly species.

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

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Related Subjects


  • Biological Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • Zoology

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