BSc Zoology with Professional Experience
About this course
BSc Zoology with Professional Experience is a four-year undergraduate degree focusing on the scientific study of animal life, including physiology, behaviour, evolution, and conservation. Core topics include Programming, Statistics, Research Methods, Fieldwork, and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. The course includes a compulsory integrated year-long work placement undertaken between the second and final year. The first year establishes core foundations through modules such as Cellular and Molecular Principles of Life, Animal Form and Function, Our Changing Planet, Fundamentals of Evolution, Fundamentals of Ecology, and History of Life on Earth. The second year expands into specialized subjects with compulsory modules like Comparative Vertebrate Zoology, Quantitative and Professional Skills, and Invertebrate Zoology: Spineless Wonders, alongside optional choices covering UK Biodiversity Field Course, Advanced Studies in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Advanced Ecology, Marine Biology and Conservation, Animal Behaviour, Palaeobiology, Conservation Science in Practice, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, and Ecology and Conservation Field Course. The final year centres on a compulsory Research Project and offers optional modules including Marine Biology Field Course, Venoms and Poisons: From Pharmacology to Therapeutics, Epidemiology of Zoonotic Diseases, Forensics, Ecology of Urban Areas, Palaeoecology Research Field Course, and Evolution in Health and Disease.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: ABB, including grade B in Biology, or BBB, including grade B in Biology and grade B in a second science subject. Acceptable science subjects are: Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geology, Computer Science. IB: 32 points overall, including 5 in Biology at higher level 30 points overall, including 5 in Biology and in a second science subject, both at higher level
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What students say
Based on about 13 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 97%
- Learning opportunities: 93%
- Assessment and feedback: 89%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 79%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 75%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 23 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Conservation and environment professionals: 20%
- Animal care and control services: 15%
- Sales occupations: 15%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Sports and fitness occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 55%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 100 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 11%
- London: 12%
- South East: 41%
- South West: 16%
- Wales: 4%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Recognised by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of associate membership.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Cellular and Molecular Principles of Life
- Animal Form and Function
- Our Changing Planet
- Fundamentals of Evolution
- Fundamentals of Ecology
- History of Life on Earth
- Comparative Vertebrate Zoology
- Quantitative and Professional Skills
- Invertebrate Zoology: Spineless Wonders
- UK Biodiversity Field Course
- Advanced Studies in Cellular and Molecular Biology
- Advanced Ecology
- Marine Biology and Conservation
- Animal Behaviour
- Palaeobiology
- Conservation Science in Practice
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
- Ecology and Conservation Field Course
- Research Project
- Marine Biology Field Course
- Venoms and Poisons: From Pharmacology to Therapeutics
- Epidemiology of Zoonotic Diseases
- Forensics
- Ecology of Urban Areas
- Palaeoecology Research Field Course
- Evolution in Health and Disease
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Zoology with Professional Experience at University of Reading earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £21,000 after 3 years, £26,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,000 and £31,000. The £26,000 median after five years is £1,500 more than the UK median for Zoology.
What do graduates of BSc Zoology with Professional Experience at University of Reading do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Zoology with Professional Experience at University of Reading?
97% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Zoology with Professional Experience at University of Reading?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 130 UCAS points.
Is BSc Zoology with Professional Experience at University of Reading accredited?
Yes. Recognised by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of associate membership.
Does BSc Zoology with Professional Experience at University of Reading include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory placement year.
How many students continue on BSc Zoology with Professional Experience at University of Reading?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.