We are in the process of finalising our postgraduate taught courses for 2026/27 entry. In the meantime, you can view our 2025/26 courses.
Gain the expertise to succeed in an animal-related career with our BSc Bioveterinary Sciences with Foundation degree.
This four-year programme includes a foundation year that leads directly into our three-year BSc Bioveterinary Sciences course.
The foundation year will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed at university. You’ll develop core skills in academic study, writing, mathematics, and research, as well as subject-specific skills in biology, ecology and sustainability.
Bioveterinary scientists play a vital role in addressing the challenges facing our society by:
At Reading, you’ll develop the specialist knowledge, research expertise, and laboratory skills to tackle these global challenges. 92% of students said teaching staff are good at explaining things, 100% said the course challenged them to achieve their best work, and 100% said the course developed the knowledge and skills that they think they will need for their future. 71% of final year students from Reading's Department of Animal Sciences responded (National Student Survey 2024).
You’ll gain a solid grounding in biosciences and an understanding of animal function from molecular to whole-animal level. Your studies will cover:
You will learn how to apply this knowledge in the management of animal health and welfare in a range of settings, including farms, zoos, and domestic households.
You’ll also gain vital transferable skills – including team-working, problem-solving, data-handling and statistical analysis skills – which are highly regarded and sought after by employers.
Studying bioveterinary科学 at the University of Reading will enable you to make a difference to the health and wellbeing of animals in an ever-changing world.
Our academics employ a variety of teaching methods – including lectures, tutorials, practical classes and lab work – and provide one-to-one support to help you get the most from your studies.
Throughout your degree, we’ll help you develop essential employability skills. You’ll benefit from dedicated careers curiosity and skills sessions, exploring the possible jobs you could do and building the communication skills needed for successful applications and interviews. You can also gain hands-on professional experience and networking opportunities with a placement year, or complete a mini placement in your final year.
If you haven’t decided on your future career, our flexible degree will help you discover new areas of interest, and enable you to adapt and specialise as you learn.
Our specialist research and teaching facilities, including laboratories and University-owned farms, offer excellent opportunities for practical research projects.
Unique facilities such as the Centre for Dairy Research (CEDAR), with its dairy herd of 550 cows and other livestock species, are used to enhance your learning experience.
The University also has strong connections with local equine centres, veterinary clinics, small animal facilities and zoos, providing further opportunities for field visits and practical work.
You can opt for a 35-hour mini work placement as part of your degree, or gain in-depth insight into the animal or veterinary industries with a year-long work placement leading to our BSc Bioveterinary Sciences with Placement Year degree, a five-year version of this course with an integrated work placement between your third and final year.
We have a dedicated placements team who can provide advice and support in finding a suitable placement, as well as developing your CV and interview skills.
You’ll benefit from our links with the animal and bioveterinary science community, including leading organisations and companies in the sector.
Past students have undertaken placements at Danisco Animal Nutrition (DuPont), Paignton, Chester and Jersey Zoos, and the RSPCA.
As part of your degree, you could choose to spend time abroad.
We'll help you to decide where to go and for how long, guide you through the application process, and support you while you're abroad.
To find out more about the benefits of studying abroad, and discover where you could go, visit the Study Abroad website.
