Biological Sciences with Foundation Year

Biological sciences sits at the heart of our understanding of life, from the molecular machinery inside a single cell to the dynamics of entire ecosystems. It is a broad and fast-moving field, drawing on chemistry, physics, mathematics, and increasingly on computing to investigate how living organisms function, reproduce, interact, and evolve. At a time when challenges such as climate change, antibiotic resistance, and emerging diseases demand urgent scientific attention, the relevance of biology has never been greater.

This four-year programme at the University of Reading is designed to open the discipline to students who need additional preparation before beginning degree-level study. The first year provides a supported transition into university-level science, building confidence in quantitative reasoning, laboratory practice, and the foundational concepts of biology, chemistry, and ecology that underpin the rest of the programme. From the second year onwards, you will study the full breadth of biological sciences at honours level, exploring topics such as genetics and evolution, cell biology, physiology, ecology, microbiology, and conservation.

Throughout the programme you will develop scientific thinking, the ability to design and interpret experiments, and the habits of evidence-based reasoning that define good scientific practice. The University of Reading's strong research environment means you will be learning in a context where biology is being actively advanced.

The programme is studied full time over four years. Graduates in biological sciences go on to careers across a wide range of sectors, including pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, conservation and environmental management, healthcare, science communication, and policy. Many also choose to continue their studies through postgraduate research degrees or professional qualifications in medicine, veterinary science, and related fields.

The foundation year means the programme is particularly suited to students who have the potential to thrive in biological sciences and want to ensure they are thoroughly prepared to do so.