Program Overview

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BSc Zoology (with integrated year studying abroad)

Key Facts

• UCAS Tariff:
• Course duration: 5 years
• Available for September start: 2025

Course Overview

Zoologists apply their scientific skills to understand animal life in all its diversity and complexity, and at all scales, from cells, to organisms, to ecosystems. On the BSc Zoology degree at Aberystwyth University, you'll also develop a solid foundation of transferable scientific skills, as evidenced by our Royal Society of Biology accreditation.

Equipped with these skills, you'll develop your expertise in vertebrate and invertebrate zoology, and will choose from a wide range of specialist modules in areas including animal behaviour, marine and freshwater biology, parasitology, and wildlife conservation. You'll develop advanced skills in zoology research and ultimately conduct your own independent zoology research project.

You’ll do all this within the wild and beautiful setting of West Wales, which is home to bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic grey seals, pine martens, otters, ospreys, and red kites. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to study zoology on residential field courses further afield, including the hyperdiverse tropical rainforest.

Why study Zoology at Aberystwyth University?

• Provides a solid foundation of skills and knowledge in the biosciences which will be invaluable to you within and beyond the field of zoology
• Is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology in recognition of its quality
• Includes a wide range of specialist module options so that you can pursue your interests in areas such as animal behaviour, marine and freshwater biology, parasitology, and wildlife conservation
• Includes a range of optional residential field courses allowing immersive study and small group project work
• Is taught by knowledgeable staff whose zoology research informs their teaching
• Includes a substantial, independent research project in your final year, during which you will benefit from one-to-one academic supervision
• Is highly suited to students wishing to improve their employability within fields such as animal conservation or scientific research, but also develops skills desirable in a broad range of other graduate professions.

Modules

Year 1

• Core
  • Communication Skills (BR01520)
  • Molecules and Cells (BR01340)
  • Organisms and the Environment (BR01440)
  • Practical Skills for Biologists (BR01220)

Year 2

• Core
  • Cell Biology (BR17520)
  • Comparative Animal Physiology (BR16720)
  • Ecology and Conservation (BR19320)
  • Genetics, Evolution and Diversity (BR17120)
  • Microbial and Plant Diversity (BR19920)
  • Skills for Wildlife Scientists (BR15720)

Year 3

• Core
  • Invertebrate Zoology (BR25420)
  • Research Methods (BR27520)
  • Vertebrate Zoology (BR26820)
• Options
  • Animal Behaviour (BR21620)
  • Evolution and Molecular Systematics (BR21720)
  • Freshwater Biology (BR22020)
  • Marine Biology (BR22620)
  • Researching Behavioural Ecology (BR27320)
  • Tropical Zoology Field Course (BR23820)
  • Veterinary Health (BR27120)
  • Wildlife Surveying (BR29620)

Year 5

• Core
  • Research Project (BR36440)
• Options
  • Animal Behaviour Field Course (BR34920)
  • Behaviour and Welfare of Domesticated Animals (BR35120)
  • Behavioural Neurobiology (BR35320)
  • Freshwater Biology Field Course (BR37720)
  • Global Biodiversity Conservation (BR33420)
  • Marine Biology Field Course (BR30020)
  • Parasitology (BR33820)
  • Population and Community Ecology (BR33920)
  • Primatology (BR38820)
  • Wildlife Conservation (BR34520)

Careers

Graduates of BSc Zoology at Aberystwyth University:

• Are skilled life scientists, with strong theoretical and practical knowledge of zoology
• Have direct insight into zoology research thanks to their final year research projects, and our degree’s emphasis on research-led teaching
• Are confident and insightful critical thinkers, capable of working independently and as part of a team
• Have strong scientific and data analysis skills that are desirable within and beyond the field of zoology
• Are members of a supportive community of Aberystwyth University zoologists, past and present
• Gain a year’s membership of the Royal Society of Biology after graduation to help them establish their careers.

Teaching & Learning

The course will be taught through lectures, interactive seminars, computer workshops, field visits and courses, laboratory practicals, small group tutorials, and one-on-one supervision of your independent research project.

You will be assessed using a variety of different methods. Some modules are assessed partially through traditional exams, but we also employ a wide variety of different coursework elements including essays, posters, oral presentations, videos, wikis, practical data analysis tasks, field notebooks, and magazine-style science articles.

Typical Entry Requirements

• UCAS Tariff:
• A Levels: Available to those who are studying for, or who have completed Level 3 qualifications (eg, A-Levels or BTEC diploma) and to mature-aged candidates without formal qualifications who have suitable background education, experience, and motivation.
• GCSE requirements (minimum grade C/4): English or Welsh, Mathematics, and Science
• BTEC National Diploma: Available to those who are studying for, or who have completed Level 3 qualifications (eg, A-Levels or BTEC diploma) and to mature-aged candidates without formal qualifications who have suitable background education, experience, and motivation.
• International Baccalaureate: Available to those who are studying for, or who have completed Level 3 qualifications (eg, A-Levels or BTEC diploma) and to mature-aged candidates without formal qualifications who have suitable background education, experience, and motivation.
• European Baccalaureate: Available to those who are studying for, or who have completed Level 3 qualifications (eg, A-Levels or BTEC diploma) and to mature-aged candidates without formal qualifications who have suitable background education, experience, and motivation.
• English Language Requirements: See our Undergraduate English Language Requirements for this course. Pre-sessional English Programmes are also available for students who do not meet our English Language Requirements.
• Country Specific Entry Requirements: International students whose qualification is not listed on this page, can check our Country Specific Entry Requirements for further information.