Bioveterinary Sciences

Study an interdisciplinary subject that enables you to make a difference to the health and well-being of animals in a variety of settings – including farms, zoos, and domestic households.

Animal health and welfare are at the heart of all sustainable human-animal relationships, whether keeping animals for food production, companionship or leisure.

Our bioveterinary sciences courses enable you to gain in-depth knowledge of animal physiology – from molecular to whole organism level – and offer a holistic approach to understanding the factors influencing animal health and welfare. We are the highest-ranking UK university for this subject area, ranked 20th in the world (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 – Agriculture & Forestry). We’re ranked 6th in the UK for Agriculture and Forestry (in the Times & The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025). 

You'll explore animal nutrition, behaviour and environment, as well as infectious and non-infectious disease.

Facilities

You will benefit from excellent teaching and research facilities, including campus-based labs and our renowned Centre for Dairy Research (CEDAR) – a farm animal research facility based at our farm in Arborfield.

Fieldwork

You'll have the opportunity to visit a range of animal-based organisations, such as veterinary practices, zoos, equine centres and farms, to gain real-world experience.

Employability built in

Your scientific research and transferable skills development is very important to us, which is why we offer specialist hands-on research modules and the opportunity to undertake an individual research project in your final year. We’ll also help you explore the breadth of the industry and develop your employability skills throughout the course.

Career opportunities

Studying bioveterinary sciences at the University of Reading will equip you with the expertise to succeed in a wide range of animal and veterinary based careers – from working in veterinary labs to becoming a researcher or animal nutritionist.

It is also a perfect stepping stone to a further degree in veterinary medicine, or a postgraduate degree in a more specialist aspect of bioveterinary science.