Program Overview

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BSc (Hons) Animal Biology

Overview

What determines an animal's resistance to disease? Why are some animals selective when choosing a mate? How do animals adapt to extreme environments? On this course, you’ll study the enormous variety of animal life on earth and discover the answers to these and many other questions.

The course explores multiple aspects of animal biology, including animal behaviour, ecology, evolution, cell biology and physiology, as well as applied aspects of animal conservation and management.

Laboratory technical skills and fieldwork will form an essential part of your training. You will learn key techniques and methods for the life sciences early in the degree and then have opportunity to apply them when identifying your own research questions of interest. You will also receive training in fieldwork techniques both at our stunning University of Stirling campus and at residential field courses in Scotland.

Key Facts

• Award: BSc (Hons)
• Start date: September 2025, January 2026
• Duration: 48 months
• Mode of study: full time, part time
• Delivery: on campus
• UCAS Code: C300
• Study abroad opportunities

Entry Requirements

Year 1 entry – Four-year honours

• SQA Highers: AABB
• GCE A-levels: BBB
• IB Diploma: 28 points
• BTEC (Level 3): DDM
• Essential subjects: To include one of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics.

Year 2 entry – Three-year honours

• SQA Advanced Highers: ABB
• GCE A-levels: ABB
• IB Diploma: 32 points
• Essential subjects: To include Biology and one of Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology or Physics.

Other Scottish qualifications

• Scottish HNC/HND: Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
• Access courses: University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.

Other qualifications

• English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND: Merits and Distinctions
• English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses: Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.

International entry requirements

View the entry requirements for your country

Advanced entry

• Year 2 entry: Entry into Year 2 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.

Other routes of entry

If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore University of Stirling International Study Centre to see the routes available.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

• IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
• IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.

Course Details

Semesters 1-4 cover a range of core modules including Cell Biology, Ecology, Evolution and Genetics, Biodiversity, and Practical Skills, plus additional modules in other disciplines.

Starting in semester 5, you'll have the option to specialise in one of these pathways. The pathways are a set of three modules taken in sequence from semesters 5-7.

• Ecological and Evolutionary (Population and Community Ecology, Biodiversity Conservation and Management, Evolutionary Consequences of Sexual Reproduction)
• Biodiversity and Sustainability (Population and Community Ecology, Biodiversity Conservation and Management, Habitat Management and Restoration)
• Physiology and Molecular (Microbiology, Infectious Disease, Molecular Techniques)
• Data Analysis and Biostatistics (Statistics Using R, Infectious Disease, Phylogenetics, Bioinformatics, and Omics)
• General (Microbiology, Biodiversity Conservation and Management, Molecular Techniques)

In Semesters 7-8, you'll work on an independent research project and take several advanced modules. Research projects reflect the active interests of academic staff. Examples of past projects include:

• Assessing the impact of bumblebee parasites on their host populations.
• Reconstructing growth trajectories for wild Scandinavian populations of the invasive Pacific oyster.
• Sexually transmitted disease and ladybird immune competence.
• Sexual selection, sexual conflict and mate choice in seaweed flies.
• Do agri-environment schemes provide any benefits to foraging bats?

Modules

The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the academic year that starts in September 2025. Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.

Teaching

The University of Stirling achieved five stars for teaching in the QS Stars University Ratings 2024.

Research-led teaching is at the core of your learning as our staff conduct world-leading biological research. Teaching is delivered in the form of lectures and practical classes, tutorials, seminars, computer-based learning and guided reading and research.

Fieldwork

Our BSc (Hons) Animal Biology course places great emphasis on practical training, hands-on experience and preparation for a wide range of careers in animal biology. We have a wide range of habitats on campus and regularly use them for practical work. Some modules also include short excursions to visit sites and species close to the University.

You will have the choice of two residential field trips:

• A 7-day field ecology and animal biology course in southern France. It introduces you to the process of designing, conducting and analysing your own scientific project.
• A 10-day field course to South Africa to develop your field research skills. It provides an opportunity to develop an understanding of different physical and environmental processes and ecosystem functioning, alongside the conservation and management challenges of international landscapes.

Travel, accommodation, and subsistence on residential field courses are not included in the course fees.

Assessment

Modules are assessed by a combination of coursework and examination completed during the semester. For many modules, the marks awarded for coursework contribute 40–50 percent of the final grade, but for some modules this is as high as 100 percent.

Work Placement Opportunities

Students can build strong links with industry through summer placements with local employers and large corporates. Our Careers Service can help you secure placements and offer the support and advice you need to plan your career, develop your employability, or think about further study.

Study Abroad

You can study abroad in your third year through our well-established connections with North American, Australian and European universities.

Fees and Funding

Fees and Costs

• Scottish students: This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
• Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland: This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
• International students (including EU): Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course.

Funding

• Students from Scotland: Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
• Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland: Eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Welcome Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.
• International students: Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course.

After You Graduate

Animal biologists work in the agricultural, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, and in conservation management and environmental agencies. Other career paths include forensic sciences, teaching, the food industry, commercial analytical laboratories and, with further study, professions allied to medicine, and in academic, government and industrial research laboratories.

About one-third of recent Stirling Biology graduates have continued their studies to obtain a further qualification, such as an MSc or PhD.

Discover Uni

Discover Uni provides official data on each university's undergraduate courses, including satisfaction scores from the National Student Survey, details of graduate jobs and salaries, and other key information for prospective students.

• 47% of students were satisfied overall with their course.
• 87% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.
• 80% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

What Our Students Said

View more student stories

Hanna Partoft
Sweden
BSc (Hons) Animal Biology

"I value the confidence I have obtained from studying at this University – the guidance from the lecturers and tutors has helped me overcome the challenges I have faced"

Read Hanna's story

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Flexible Study

This course is not available as a combined degree.

Related Courses

• BSc (Hons) Applied Biological SciencesUCAS Code: 8C93
• BSc (Hons) BiologyUCAS Code: C100
• BSc (Hons) Cell BiologyUCAS Code: C130
• BSc (Hons) Marine and Freshwater BiologyUCAS Code: C160