Study Zoology, why & how to study
A Zoology degree is a good career choice if you want to work with animals, in areas related to biodiversity, or in lab-based research.
CONTENTS
-
What’s Zoology?
-
What Zoology degrees can you study?
-
What do you need to get onto a Zoology degree?
-
What topics does a Zoology degree cover?
-
How will you be assessed?
-
Why study Zoology?
-
What do Zoology graduates earn?
-
What jobs can you get as a Zoology graduate?
-
What are the postgraduate opportunities?
-
Similar subjects to Zoology
-
Have any questions?
What’s Zoology?
Study Zoology and you’ll be learning all about the animal kingdom – from the smallest of insects to the largest of mammals, including creatures long extinct.
A Zoology degree typically includes a lot of practical learning through laboratory time and fieldwork. You could be delving into cellular biology, genetics, physiology, the habitats and habits of animals, or tracking the impact of humans on habitat and how this affects animal behaviour.
What Zoology degrees can you study?
Undergraduate degrees in Zoology include:
- Zoology MSci
- Animal Science (Livestock Technology) BSc
- Zoology BSc
- Zoology with Entrepreneurship BSc
- Animal Biology BSc
- Animal & Conservation Biology BSc
These options may include an integrated foundation year, professional placement or a year studying abroad. January start dates are also available.
What do you need to get onto a Zoology degree?
Most undergraduate Zoology degrees ask for between 96–168 UCAS points. This could include qualifications such as:
- A Levels: A*AA–BCC
- BTECs: DDM–MMM
- Scottish Highers: AAAB–AABB (or Advanced Highers AAA–AAB)
- International Baccalaureate: 36–28
- Universities will usually ask that you have studied one or two science subjects, such as biology and sometimes chemistry
Other good subjects to have studied include:
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Applied science
- General subjects may be excluded
Experience that would look good on your application:
- Work experience or shadowing related occupations, such as animal shelters, vet clinics and stables
- Volunteering with local conservation charities
- Helping out on a farm (if relevant to your course of interest)
- Independent reading into the subject or areas of related research at your chosen uni
- Summer schools, if available
Other requirements for this subject include:
- Pass in the practical element of sciences
What topics does a Zoology degree cover?
Typical topics or modules studied include:
- Animal biology and physiology
- Applied behaviour and animal welfare
- Applied genetics
- Biodiversity
- Cell biology
- Comparative physiology
- Ecology and evolution
- Invertebrate biology
- Nutritional biochemistry
- Physiology, adaptation and disease
- Scientific enquiry
- Statistical techniques
How will you be assessed?
On a Zoology degree, assessments will depend on the module and practical work. They may include:
- Case studies
- Debates
- Dissertation
- Essays or written assignments
- Technical lab reports
- Exams
- Presentations (individual or group)
- Group work or projects (field courses)
- Practical assessments
Why study Zoology?
If you love biology and scientific enquiry, Zoology will equip you with the practical skills and experience to enter a number of related careers.
Career-specific skills:
- Practical laboratory skills
- Field surveying techniques
- Species identification
- Collection and analysis of biological data and scientific measurement
- Applied research
Transferable skills:
- Analysis and interpretation
- Basic coding
- Communication
- Creating and delivering presentations
- Data management
- IT skills
- Problem-solving
- Report writing
- Research skills
Professional accreditation:
- Degrees may be accredited by the Royal Society of Biology or Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB)
- May include elements towards registration as an ASAB Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB)
What do Zoology graduates earn?
Zoology graduates have an entry-level salary of around £18,000–22,000.
The average salary for a Zoologist in the UK is currently £40,500 – more for those in senior positions. Biotechnologists can earn up to £55,000. If you decide that you like to analyse data, pursue postgraduate training and you could earn up to £70,000 as a statistician.
What jobs can you get as a Zoology graduate?
While Zoology is a strongly vocational degree, it doesn’t mean you must become a Zoologist. A wide variety of careers could beckon, including:
- Animal health inspector
- Animal nutritionist
- Biotechnologist
- Clinical scientist
- Consultant ecologist
- Medical writer
- Microbiologist
- Museum curator
- Nanotechnologist
- Science writer
- Soil scientist
- Statistician
- Teaching
- Zookeeper
What are the postgraduate opportunities?
If you want to pursue this subject at the postgraduate level, courses with practical elements are likely to require an undergraduate degree in a related area such as Biology. Postgraduate courses include:
- Animal Biosciences MSc
- Animal Welfare MSc
- Biological Science (Zoology) MPhil
- Wild Animal Biology MSc
- Wildlife Biology & Conservation MSc
- Zoology PhD
Similar subjects to Zoology
If you’re interested in Zoology, other subject areas that may appeal include:
Have any questions?
Get in touch with our experts by emailing ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk with your questions about studying Zoology. We’ll be happy to hear from you!
- GO TO
- All subject guides
Related articles
Russell Group Universities 2023
Learn more about this group of universities in the UK and why you might want to choose to...
Preparing for your university Clearing call
Calling universities about Clearing can be daunting, but with proper preparation and...