Zoology BSc Honours
Newcastle University Undergraduate programs
Key Information
Campus location
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 26,400 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* international students; GBP 9,250 - home students
Introduction
Our three-year Zoology degree will provide you with in-depth training and a thorough understanding of all aspects of animal life.
This Zoology BSc Honours degree focuses on developing your scientific knowledge and provides a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of zoology. This ensures you graduate prepared for a role in this varied field.
With a combination of both laboratory and field-based teaching, you'll learn and perfect the skills required to succeed in zoology.
Our zoology degree shares its first-year programme with biology and ensures you gain a thorough understanding of a range of topics in zoology and biology. You'll select from modules such as ecology and conservation, genetics and evolution, and diversity of life: form and function.
Study abroad
Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.
You can choose to spend up to a year studying at a partner institution overseas. If you choose to study abroad, it will extend your degree by a year.
Work placement
Get career ready with work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.
You'll gain first-hand experience working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.
If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year. Placements are subject to availability.
Rankings
- Global Top 125 University - QS World University Rankings 2023
- Top 70 for Life Sciences and Medicine - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022
- Top 120 for Biological Sciences - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 1st in the UK and 8th in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2022
- Top 125 for Life Sciences – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2022
- Global Top 140 University - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023
Curriculum
Stage 1
The first year of this degree is shared with other biology degrees in the School. You can transfer to one of our other Biology degrees before the second year should your interests change (subject to achieving the appropriate grades).
Compulsory Modules
- Genetics and Evolution 20
- Diversity of Life: Form and Function 20
- Ecology and Conservation 20
- Cells and Biomolecules 20
- Academic and Professional Skills for the Biosciences 20
Optional Modules
- Crop Pests 10
- Animal Health 10
- Introduction to Animal Physiology 10
- Natural Science Research Impact 10
- UK Wildlife 10
- Introduction to Scientific Computing for Chemists 10
- The Marine Environment 20
- Marine Microbiology and Primary Producers 20
Stage 2
Your study of animals becomes specialised, with topics such as animal function (physiology and development); animal behaviour and vertebrate biology. Optional modules are also available in more specialised topics
In Year 2, you take a field course on the identification of insects and birds.
Compulsory Modules
- Field Identification Skills 10
- Experimental Design and Statistics 10
- Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation 20
- Animal Function (Physiology and Development) 20
- Field-based Ecology: designing experiments, and residential field course 20
- Vertebrate Biology 10
- Optional Modules Credits
- Animal Parasitology 10
- Sustainable Solutions 10
- Animal Behaviour 10
- Pollution of Air, Water & Soil 10
- Molecular Evolution and Systematics 20
- Insect Biology and Origins 20
- Marine Vertebrate Biology and Ecology 20
- Career Development for second-year students 20
- Biological Psychology: Sex, Drugs, Rhythms and Blues 10
Stage 3
You study advanced specialist topics, many of which are linked to our research expertise. To enhance your skills you will have the opportunity to select a module that focuses on the development of ideas for business.
You will further develop your fieldwork skills through field courses.
Compulsory Modules
- Physiological Zoology 20
- Biological Project Dissertation 40
- Optional Modules Credits
- Precision technologies and global challenges in managed animal behaviour and welfare 20
- Mammal Surveying Skills 10
- Biodiversity Science and Management 20
- Current Research in Ecology 20
- Biological Modelling 20
- Advanced Marine Research Topics 2 20
- Creativity, Innovation and Market Research in Science and Engineering UG 10
Career Opportunities
Our zoology degree equips you with a wide range of skills to ensure you have many career opportunities available to you.
92% of zoology graduates were in work or further study within six months of completing this degree*, and many have found work in commercial or medical laboratory positions, conservation work and animal care as well as choosing to study in more specialist areas such as:
- biomedical science
- conservation
- animal behaviour
- environmental consultancy
*Destinations of (undergraduate, UK and EU) Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2016/17
Admissions
Gallery
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the University website for more information.
Program Tuition Fee
Program delivery
You'll be taught via a combination of methods, including:
- lectures
- lab work
- field work
- seminars
- tutor group sessions
Our field and lab based modules provide you with a firm basis to build practical experiences that enhance the scientific skills expected of a biology graduate.