Skip to main content

University of Reading Cookie Policy

We use cookies on reading.ac.uk to improve your experience. Find out more about our cookie policy. By continuing to use our site you accept these terms, and are happy for us to use cookies to improve your browsing experience.

Continue using the University of Reading website

  • Schools and departments
  • University of Reading Malaysia
  • Henley Business School
  • Applicants
  • Students
  • Staff
  • Alumni
Show/Hide navigation
University of Reading University of Reading logo
Mobile search categories
  • Study and life
  • Research
  • About us
  • View courses
  • Home
  • Study and life
    • Study
    • Student life
    • Accommodation
    • Open Days and visiting
    • International and EU students
  • Research
    • Themes
    • Impact
    • Innovation and partnerships
    • Research environment
    • Get involved
  • About us
    • Business
    • Working with the community
    • Visit us
    • Strategy
    • Governance
    • Contact us
  • Applicants
  • Students
  • Staff
  • Alumni
  • Schools and departments
  • University of Reading Malaysia
  • Henley Business School
  • View courses

BSc ZOOLOGY WITH PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • UCAS code
    C302
  • Typical offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2022/23
    See 2021/22 entry
  • Course duration
     4 years
  • Year of entry
    2022/23
    See 2021/22 entry
  • Course duration
     4 years
View all

Study animals in their natural habitat – gaining expertise in evolution, physiology, behaviour and conservation – with our BSc Zoology with Professional Experience 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 four-year BSc Zoology with Professional Experience 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 with Professional Experience at the University of Reading

  • 92% overall student satisfaction score (National Student Survey, 2020).

  • 94% of students in work or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2017/18).

  • 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.

Professional experience

This degree includes an integrated year-long work placement, between your second and final year.

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.

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:

  • Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands
  • Borneo
  • Madagascar.
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 new £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.

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 – with our BSc Zoology with Professional Experience 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 four-year BSc Zoology with Professional Experience 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 with Professional Experience at the University of Reading

  • 92% overall student satisfaction score (National Student Survey, 2020).

  • 94% of students in work or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2017/18).

  • 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.

Professional experience

This degree includes an integrated year-long work placement, between your second and final year.

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.

Learning

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:

  • Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands
  • Borneo
  • Madagascar.
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 new £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.

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 BBB | IB 30 points overall

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 grade B in Biology and in a second science subject

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

International Baccalaureate

30 points overall, including 5 in Biology and in a second science subject, both at higher level

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDD (Modules taken must be comparable to subject specific requirement)

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.

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

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:

  • Mammal Diversity, Behaviour and Conservation
  • Ecology and Environmental Management
  • Pathology and Histology
  • Bacteriology and Virology
  • Digestion and Nutrition
  • Biochemistry
  • Human Physiology
  • Plant Diversity
  • Institution-Wide Language Programme
  • Summer Placement
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:

  • Cells and Immunity
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Human Development
  • Venoms and Poisons
  • Nature Conservation
  • History and Philosophy of Science
  • Endocrinology
  • Introduction to Bioinformatics
  • Methods in Ecology
  • Practical Wildlife Reserve Management
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Professional experience in industry.

Core modules include:

  • Research Project

Optional modules include:

  • Evolutionary Genetics and Phylogeny
  • Behavioural Ecology and Life History Theory
  • Animal Welfare
  • Wildlife in the Farming Environment
  • Palaeozoology
  • Mammalian Reproduction
  • Captive Animal Management
  • Insect Ecology and its Application
  • Plants, Animals and Climate Change
  • Neurobiology
  • Systems Biology
  • Seminars in Biology
  • Conservation and Biodiversity
  • Wildlife and Diseases
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Fees

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

New international students: £23,700 per year

*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 – including professional and research placements and industrial experience – you’ll pay a discounted tuition fee for that year.

For Home/Republic of Ireland students, the discounted fee is subject to parliamentary approval and is currently capped at £1,385.

For International students, the discount is 15% of your normal tuition fee.

For more information, please 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.

* UK and EU Fee Changes

Subject to the Government passing legislation to raise the minimum fee cap, we will raise undergraduate tuition fees from £9,000 to £9,250 for new UK/EU students applying to start courses in the 2017/18 academic year. You will not be affected by this rise if you have deferred entry to the 2017/18 academic year. The Government will confirm future arrangements for EU students in due course.

The tuition fee will remain £9,000 per year for the full duration of this course if you start in the 2016/17 academic year or have accepted an offer but deferred your entry until the 2017/18 academic year. This is unlike other institutions who are planning to raise fees midway through courses.

For further information, please see our webpage on the Teaching Excellence Framework and future tuition fees.

Additional costs

These course fees cover the cost of your tuition. 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 and other EU countries 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

94% of our graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2017/18; First Degree responders from Zoology).

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.

As a teaching resource, the Cole Museum of Zoology was a big selling point, as was the campus itself. In the end, my choice of university came down to where I would rather be studying; the green nature of campus appealed much more to me than an inner-city university.

Matthew Greenwell

BSc Zoology

Related Courses

  • BSc Animal Science D320
    Full Time: 3 Years
  • BSc Animal Science with Placement Year D300
    Full Time: 4 Years
  • BSc Zoology C300
    Full Time: 3 Years
  • BSc Zoology with Foundation C301
    Full Time: 4 Years
View all Zoology degree courses at University of Reading courses

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

Take the next step


How to apply

Come to an Open Day

Get a prospectus

Ask us a question

Chat to our students

mask
Close
CHOOSE A SUBJECT
2021/22
2022/23
Undergraduates
Postgraduates
Undergraduates
Postgraduates

Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

Ready for more?

How to apply
Visit an Open Day
Get a prospectus
View courses
  • Charitable status 
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies
  • Terms of use
  • Sitemap

© University of Reading