Bioveterinary Sciences with Placement Year

Bioveterinary sciences sits at the intersection of biology and veterinary medicine, applying the principles of the biological sciences to the study of animal health, disease and physiology. It is a discipline for students who want to engage deeply with animal biology in a scientific and applied context, whether their ultimate ambition is further study in veterinary medicine, a career in animal-related research, or work in the many industries that depend on animal health expertise, from pharmaceuticals and diagnostics to conservation and public health.

At the University of Reading this programme includes a placement year, making the full course four years full time and giving you the opportunity to gain genuine professional experience in an animal-related or biomedical setting during your studies. The placement year is a substantive and highly valued part of the degree, allowing you to apply your scientific knowledge in real working environments and to develop the professional skills and networks that serve you well in the graduate market. You will study animal physiology and anatomy, genetics and genomics, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology and the biology of animal disease, developing the scientific understanding that underpins professional work in bioveterinary contexts.

You will develop practical laboratory skills alongside theoretical knowledge, the ability to evaluate scientific evidence critically, and the professional communication skills needed in scientific and veterinary settings. The programme is designed to open a range of career paths rather than to lead exclusively towards veterinary medicine.

Graduates from bioveterinary sciences programmes move into careers in the pharmaceutical and veterinary pharmaceutical industries, veterinary diagnostic laboratories, animal charities and conservation organisations, research institutions, government agencies dealing with animal health and public health, and teaching. Many also use the degree as preparation for professional postgraduate study in veterinary medicine, medicine, or biomedical research.