Zoology
Entry requirements
A level
Biology and a second science at A level. A pass is required in science practical tests, if assessed separately (waived for 2021/22 admissions cycle). Suitable second science subjects include: maths, further maths, chemistry, physics, geology, applied science, environmental science/studies, AQA use of maths, statistics, geography, psychology.
Access to HE Diploma
45 level 3 credits overall. 30 level 3 credits at distinction of which 15 in biology and 15 in a second science. If 30 credits in science are not being taken, then qualification will be considered on an individual basis; you may need to take certain modules and achieve a specified grade in those modules. Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE English language or literature and maths at grade 4 or above also required.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
6,6,5 at Higher level including 5/6 in biology and another science subject.
Considered on an individual basis; you may need to take certain modules and achieve a specified grade in those modules. This qualification is accepted together with one A-level subject. Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Acceptable in combination with two A-level science subjects, including Biology
Considered on an individual basis; you may need to take certain modules and achieve a specified grade in those modules. Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification. BTEC National Extended Diploma in Animal Management is not accepted for this course.
Scottish Advanced Higher
including Biology and a second science subject. Suitable second science subjects include: maths, further maths, chemistry, physics, geology, applied science, environmental science/studies, AQA use of maths, statistics, geography, psychology. Offers made in combination with grades AABBB in the Scottish Highers
Scottish Higher
in combination with grades AA in Scottish Advanced Highers, to include Biology and a second science. Suitable second science subjects include: maths, further maths, chemistry, physics, geology, applied science, environmental science/studies, AQA use of maths, statistics, geography, psychology.
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
Acceptable in combination with 2 science A-level qualifications, to include Biology.
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
Focus on the scientific study of animals, from physiology to ecology and conservation, on this course accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.
New technology is contributing to the continual advancement of zoology and it's an exciting time to study such a dynamic course.
Expert academics will deliver your teaching, with experience working at the forefront of research in subjects ranging from conservation to immunology. This cutting-edge research inspires a diverse and exciting range of optional modules, spanning disciplines from animal behaviour to gene manipulation.
You'll access outstanding facilities to enhance your studies, including modern labs and lecture theatres. There is a focus on practical learning and lab experience throughout the course, with opportunities to engage in field work from year one.
Through your third-year research project, you'll also gain valuable practical research experience and specialist insight into an area you're particularly interested in.
The integrated masters (MSci) version of this course provides you with additional research experience, preparing you for your future career or further postgraduate study.
Modules
Your first year will be a broad introduction to zoology and biology. You will be introduced to the biology of animals and the biochemical, evolutionary and genetic processes that underlie their biology. In the second year you will find more advanced modules available, such as parasitology, ecology, immunology, and evolutionary biology of animals. The third year includes a practical research project, which will allow you to carry out your own zoological investigation alongside expert academics.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
University Park Campus
School of Biology
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.
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
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
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.
Top job areas of graduates
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.
Biosciences
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£19k
£24k
£27k
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.
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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).
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?
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