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Zoology

Entry requirements


A level

A,A,B

Including biology and preferably another science or science-related subject. If biology is the only science subject then an A grade is required. Critical thinking and general studies excluded. We accept the following: • Science subjects: biology, human biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics. • Science-related subjects: computing, environmental science, food science, geography, geology, PE, psychology, science in society, statistics, use of mathematics. Applicants taking a Science A-level (in England) will be required to achieve a pass in the practical element in addition to the standard A-level grade requirement. When an applicant is taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) or the Cambridge International Project Qualification (Cambridge IPQ) this can be considered alongside A-levels and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A-levels, this would be ABB at A-level and grade A in the EPQ (BSc applicants) or AAB and grade A in the EPQ (MBiol applicants).

Pass 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3, graded at D39M6P0 including distinctions in biology and mathematics or chemistry. Accept Access courses in Applied Science and Science. Will also consider (depending on subject content): • biochemical sciences • biological and environmental science • biological and health science • biological sciences • biosciences • combined sciences • environmental science • life and biological science • life science • medical and health science professions • natural sciences • physical & natural sciences.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

D3,D3,M1

Including biology and preferably another science or science-related subject. If biology is the only science subject then a D3 grade will be required. Global Perspectives excluded. When an applicant is taking Global Perspectives this can be considered alongside Pre-U subjects and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. This would be D3/M1/M1 and grade D3 in Global Perspectives (BSc applicants) or D3/D3/M1 and grade D3 in Global Perspectives (MBiol applicants).

Applicants offering an EPQ or IPQ qualification will receive a standard offer, as shown above, plus an alternative offer. The alternative offer would be ABB plus grade A in EPQ / IPQ. Subject-specific requirements are still valid.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

34

(With 17 at higher level) including 6 in higher level biology and preferably another science or science-related subject at higher level.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H2,H2,H2,H2,H3,H3

Including H2 in Biology and preferably another science or science-related subject at higher level.

Applicants with BTEC qualifications (Diploma or Extended Diploma) are required to have A2 level biology (maths, chemistry and physics may be acceptable alternatives depending on the BTEC subject). Distinctions in the BTEC subject and an A or B grade (BTEC subject dependent) for the A-level subject are required. Applicants with BTEC Subsidiary Diploma qualifications must have at least 2 A2 levels and at least one of these must be in biology.

Advanced Higher: 5 x Highers AABBB. With AA-AB in 2 Advanced Highers including Biology and preferably another science or science-related subject. General Studies and Critical Thinking excluded. If Biology is the only science subject then an A grade is required. We accept the following: • Science subjects include: Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics. • Science- related subjects include: Computing, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, P.E, Psychology, Science in Society, Statistics, Food Science and use of Maths. Scottish Higher: Scottish Highers not accepted on their own.

UCAS Tariff

136

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course


This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.

Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Other options

4 years | Full-time with year in industry | 2024

4 years | Full-time with time abroad | 2024

Subject

Zoology

As a Zoology student at the University of Leeds you’ll study everything from animal physiology and behaviour, to how they are shaped by evolution and their environment. With the modern world encountering a series of global challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, and biodiversity conservation, knowledge and practical skills in Zoology are in high demand. Explore the effects of climate change on organisms, how they adapt, and develop methods for sustainable livestock production.

Your field courses will build on your practical lab and experimental design skills. In your final year you will be tasked with completing your own fully independent research project.

This integrated Masters (MBiol) gives you an additional year of specialist training, to study advanced research topics, with the option to study savannah ecology and conservation in Kenya. You may also choose to apply for our 3 year BSc and transfer to an MBiol up until the end of your second year, subject to suitable academic performance. 

**Course highlights**
- Compulsory field courses comprise terrestrial zoology in the Yorkshire Dales and marine zoology in Pembrokeshire.

- You may also choose optional field courses to study sustainable urban ecology and African ecology in South Africa.

- Conduct a research project in the final year of your degree.

- You will experience extensive practical work from the lab to the field, from the use of cutting-edge molecular techniques in science, to animal physiology and sustainable livestock farming. Confront fundamental questions from adaptation to conservation.

- Research-led advanced topic modules in your final year cover diverse topics such as human genetics, conservation science, evolution and animal behaviour.

- One year of additional specialist training culminating in an extended research project. 

The Uni


Course location:

University of Leeds

Department:

Faculty of Biological Sciences

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What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

89%
Zoology

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Zoology

Teaching and learning

89%
Staff make the subject interesting
89%
Staff are good at explaining things
93%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
71%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

82%
Library resources
82%
IT resources
86%
Course specific equipment and facilities
68%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

90%
UK students
10%
International students
29%
Male students
71%
Female students
98%
2:1 or above
6%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

A
B
A

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Zoology

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£18,500
high
Average annual salary
97%
med
Employed or in further education
50%
high
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

13%
Business, research and administrative professionals
13%
Animal care and control services
9%
Business, finance and related associate professionals

Unsurprisingly, the most common job for a zoology graduate on leaving is to work in a zoo or similar organisation - but there are a lot of other options available if you take this subject. Nearly a quarter of graduates take some kind of further qualification when they leave — mostly Masters degrees in zoology or related subjects, like biology or ecology — but a graduate from a zoology course can go into pretty much anything, with science, conservation, management, finance and marketing some of the most popular areas. Zoology graduates are also rather more likely than others to get a job overseas so if an international career appeals to you, this might be a degree to consider.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Zoology

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£21k

£21k

£26k

£26k

£30k

£30k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

Explore these similar courses...

Higher entry requirements
University of Nottingham | Nottingham
Zoology
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 112-147
Lower entry requirements
Swansea University | Swansea
Zoology with a Year Abroad
BSc (Hons) 4 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 120-128
Same University
University of Leeds | Leeds
Biology
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 136

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here