Biological Sciences

Biological sciences encompasses the study of living organisms in all their diversity, from the molecular mechanisms that drive cellular life to the ecological relationships that structure entire ecosystems. It is one of the broadest and most intellectually rich of the natural sciences, drawing on chemistry, physics, and mathematics alongside its own distinctive methods and frameworks to understand how life works, how it evolved, and how it responds to environmental change. At a time when biological knowledge is central to addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity, from disease and food security to biodiversity loss and climate adaptation, the value of a deep grounding in the life sciences has never been greater.

At the University of Reading, this programme is structured to be accessible to a wide range of students. It includes a foundation year for those who need to build their scientific foundations before the degree proper, alongside a sandwich placement year and work placements embedded in the curriculum. The foundation year ensures you can enter the main degree with the mathematical, chemical, and biological knowledge needed to engage with the material at the right level, while the placement year gives you professional experience in a biological or biomedical setting before you graduate.

The typical entry tariff of 120 points reflects the programme's inclusive entry approach, welcoming students who combine genuine scientific curiosity with the determination to develop their knowledge over the course of the programme.

Biological sciences graduates go on to a remarkable range of careers. Research and development in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, clinical laboratory science, environmental consultancy, conservation, ecology, agriculture, food science, and science communication are all common destinations. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, or biomedical science, either to deepen their scientific expertise or to enter regulated clinical professions.

The placement year gives Reading graduates a practical advantage in the graduate job market, and many students find that their placement experience leads directly to graduate employment.