Program Overview

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Zoology with Professional Studies

Overview

Zoology is the study of animals, from the simplest invertebrates to the largest terrestrial or marine mammals. Simple animals often provide models for the study of higher, more complex species (including humans) and help drive basic research that transcends the subject boundaries. Animals interact with each other and with their environment, forming complex relationships such that zoologists need a broad understanding of the living world, life processes and the animal kingdom. Importantly, zoonotic diseases are an ever growing threat to human health e.g. Covid-19. Exciting progress is being made in animal biology and behaviour, animal health and welfare and in the management of animal communities, emerging infectious diseases, conservation, de-extinction using cloning, the use of remote sensing technologies to aid conservation and addressing climate change making this the perfect time to study Zoology.

Highlights

• Work placements on these programmes provide students with the opportunity to utilise the practical skills gained during the teaching of their degree and apply these in a work environment.
• Past students have gained work placement within organisations such as Belfast City Hospital, Royal Victoria Hospital, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Castle Espie, National Trust, North Atlantic Whale Foundation, Ulster Wildlife Trust, Harnas Wildlife Foundation, Namibia, Mopane & Mapesu Private Game Reserve, South Africa, Health Service, Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary, Turtle Foundation and many more.
• Royal Society Accreditation
• This course has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.
• Ultimately this award highlights the academic quality of the course and its contribution in ensuring that its graduates meet employer needs by acquiring the necessary skill set of both technical and transferable skills.
• Zoologists at QUB have the opportunity to avail of the strong international links with Universities in South Africa, America and Canada.
• In addition there is the opportunity to volunteer or carry out projects at many international sites including the elephant sanctuary in Thailand, African Wildlife rehabilitation centres and conservation in Namibia and South Africa as well as many other countries through Operation Wallacea.
• Jonathan Scott – Conservationist, award winning wildlife photographer, author and big cat specialist (QUB Zoology graduate).
• Local expert – Professor Alan Stitt – Dean of Innovation and Impact (QUB) and McCauley Chair of Experimental Ophthalmology, RVH (QUB Zoology graduate).
• Many students complete higher degrees, either in the UK or overseas, before embarking on a career in medical, veterinary, agricultural and environmental research.
• Students can choose a wide range of Master’s programmes at Queen’s, as well as a comprehensive list of research topics.
• Many graduates also choose to complete the postgraduate teacher training programme (PGCE) for entry into a teaching career.

Course Structure

• Stage 1: Students will complete a set of compulsory core modules.
• Stage 2: Students will select from a range of optional modules.
• Stage 3: Students will complete a compulsory Research Project module.
• Year Out (Professional Studies): Students will spend a minimum of 46 weeks in a work placement during which they will carry out some project type work.

Entry Requirements

• A level requirements: BBB including Biology and at least one from Chemistry (preferred), Geography, Mathematics or Physics + GCSE Chemistry grade C/4 or GCSE Double Award Science grades CC/4,4 + GCSE Mathematics grade C/4.
• Irish leaving certificate requirements: H3H3H3H3H4H4/H3H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level grade H3 in Biology and at least one from Chemistry (preferred), Geography, Mathematics or Physics + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade O4 in Chemistry and Mathematics.
• Access Course: Successful completion of a relevant Science based Access Course (120 credits) with an average of 80% and no less than 70% in any module.
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: 32 points overall including 6,5,5 at Higher Level including Biology and Chemistry (preferred) or Mathematics or Physics + GCSE Chemistry grade C/4 or GCSE Double Award Science grades CC/4,4 + GCSE Mathematics grade C/4.

Tuition Fees

• Northern Ireland (NI): £4,855
• Republic of Ireland (ROI): £4,855
• England, Scotland or Wales (GB): £9,535
• EU Other: £25,300
• International: £25,300

Additional Course Costs

• Year 1 students are required to buy a laboratory coat at a cost of £10, a dissection kit at a cost of £20 and an E-Book at a cost of £25.
• The following modules have a compulsory field trip:
  • Compulsory Module: Year 1 Environmental Biology Module has a fieldtrip costing £150
  • Optional Modules:
    • Year 2 Coastal and Oceanic Biology has a field trip costing £200
    • Year 2 Applied Ecology with Field Course Module has a field trip costing £200
• All students may apply to go on a School Workplace Tour at a cost of £100.
• Students undertake a placement in year 3 and are responsible for funding the costs of travel, accommodation and subsistence, associated with the placement.

Career Prospects

• Graduates are qualified to take up both scientific and non-scientific careers.
• These positions encompass areas of innovative research and development of new products, advisory and consultancy work, particularly in companies or organisations concerned with animal and plant health, environmental management, pharmaceutical products and biotechnology.
• Graduates pursue careers in teaching, nature conservation and laboratory- based posts in biomedical, industrial, pharmaceutical, academic and government institutions as well as in universities and colleges of higher education.
• The remainder undertake further training in areas such as computing, administration and management or medicine (human or veterinary), developing their skills from a sound scientific background.
• Further training also helps them to find employment in a variety of non- biological careers, including public service administration, industrial management, banking, accountancy and computing.

Prizes and Awards

• Prof. William Campbell, Zoologist born in Ulster and recent recipient of the Nobel Prize for Medicine Could you be the next Nobel Prize winning Zoologist?

Degree Plus/Future Ready Award

• In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills.
• For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more.
• So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall.
• We call this Degree Plus/Future Ready Award.
• It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

How to Apply

• Application for admission to full-time undergraduate and sandwich courses at the University should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
• Full information can be obtained from the UCAS website at:
• The advisory closing date for the receipt of applications for entry in 2025 is still to be confirmed by UCAS but is normally in late January (18:00).
• This is the 'equal consideration' deadline for this course.
• Applications from UK and EU (Republic of Ireland) students after this date are, in practice, considered by Queen’s for entry to this course throughout the remainder of the application cycle (30 June 2025) subject to the availability of places.
• If you apply for 2025 entry after this deadline, you will automatically be entered into Clearing.
• Applications from International and EU (Other) students are normally considered by Queen's for entry to this course until 30 June 2025.
• If you apply for 2025 entry after this deadline, you will automatically be entered into Clearing.

Terms and Conditions

• The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
• Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

Additional Information for International (non-EU) Students

• Applying through UCAS
• Applying direct
• Applying through agents and partners
• International Study Centre
• Scholarships
• English Language Requirements

Module Details

• Fundamentals of Microbiology
• Environmental Biology
• Molecular Basis of Life
• Genetics and the Molecular Toolbox
• Biodiversity
• World of Microorganisms
• Comparative Animal Physiology
• Vertebrate Biology
• Invertebrate Biology
• Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics II
• Applied Ecology
• Diagnostic Microbiology
• Scientific Research Skills: From Fieldwork to Reporting
• Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics 1
• Forensics and Toxicology
• Coastal and Oceanic Biology
• Advanced Cell Biology
• Applied Ecology with Field Course
• Microorganisms in Action
• Applied Genetics
• Cell Biology
• Professional Studies
• Research Project
• Parasitology
• Global Change Biology
• Conservation Biology
• Medical Microbiology
• Behavioural Ecology
• Sustainable Oceans
• Zoonoses
• Farm Animal Health and Welfare
• Immunology and Immunotherapy