Program 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% of students in work or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018/19; First Degree responders from Biological Sciences).

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.