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Zoology

Entry Year: 2024

3 study options

Zoology BSc (Hons)

Key information

Degree
BSc (Hons)
Duration
3 years
Start
September 2024
UCAS code
C300
Institution code
Q50
Typical A-Level offer
Grades ABB at A-Level. This must include A-Level Biology.
Full entry requirements (including contextual admissions)
Home fees
£9,250
Overseas fees
£28,350
Funding information
Paying your fees

Biological Sciences with Foundation BSc (Hons)

Key information

Degree
BSc (Hons)
Duration
4 years
Start
September 2024
UCAS code
CCX2
Institution code
Q50
Home fees
£9,250
Overseas fees
£23,350
Funding information
Paying your fees

Zoology with Year Abroad BSc (Hons)

Key information

Degree
BSc (Hons)
Duration
4 years
Start
September 2024
UCAS code
C30Y
Institution code
Q50
Home fees
£9,250
Overseas fees
£28,350
Funding information
Paying your fees

Year abroad cost

Finances for studying abroad on exchange

View details

Overview

Are you fascinated by the structure, physiology, distribution and behaviour of animals – from microscopic creatures to turtles and bats?

Our programme will give you an overview of modern zoological thinking, with a strong emphasis on the underlying concepts that shape our understanding of animal diversity.

You’ll receive a thorough grounding in vertebrate and invertebrate biology, plus modules in physiology, behaviour, evolution and neurobiology. Modules in molecular and population genetics, ecology, statistics and immunology are also available.

We place a strong emphasis on fieldwork, with compulsory and optional modules taking students to locations across the UK and internationally, including:

  • studying tropical ecology in Kruger Park, South Africa
  • day trips that look at various ecological data, such as predator-prey interactions
  • studying terrestrial and freshwater aquatic ecosystems in Croatia

Structure

You can complete your Zoology degree in three or four years. If you choose to study abroad, this will take place in Year 3, and the Year 3 modules will instead be studied in Year 4.

Year 0

Foundation

Semester 1

Compulsory

  • Communication in Science and Technology 

Year-long modules

Compulsory

  • Science and Engineering Success
  • Foundations of Chemical Science
  • Foundations of Physical Science
  • Foundations of Engineering
  • Foundations of Biological Science
  • Mathematics A

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Year 1

  • Basic Biochemistry
  • Cells
  • Ecology (includes field trip)
  • Essential Skills for Biologists
  • Evolution
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Physiology
  • Practical Biology
  • Practical Molecular and Cellular Biology

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Year 2

Compulsory

  • Diversity of Life
  • Ecological Interactions I
  • Research Methods and Communication

Choose four from (*Choose at least one of)

  • Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics
  • Comparative & Integrative Physiology
  • Ecological Interactions II (includes field trip to Croatia)*
  • Ecosystem Science
  • Genes and Bioinformatics*
  • Infectious Disease Biology
  • Membrane and Cellular Biochemistry
  • Metabolic Pathways
  • Microbial Physiology and Growth*

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Year 3

Compulsory

  • Behavioural Ecology
  • Mammals and Evolution
  • Professional Skills and Development for Biologists

Choose one from

  • Biological Sciences Research Project
  • Project: Engaging the Public with Science
  • Project Skills in the Life Sciences

Choose three from (*Choose at least one of)

  • Climate Change and Conservation Challenges*
  • Endocrine Physiology and Biochemistry
  • Functional Genomics and Epigenetics
  • Infectious Disease Biology
  • Neuroscience: from Molecules to Behaviour
  • Population and Chromosome Genetics
  • Reproductive and Development Biology
  • Savannah Ecology and Conservation (includes field trip to the African savannas)*

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Study options

Apply for this degree with any of the following options. Take care to use the correct UCAS code - it may not be possible to change your selection later.

Year abroad

Go global and study abroad as part of your degree – apply for our Zoology BSc with a Year Abroad. Queen Mary has links with universities in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia (partnerships vary for each degree programme).

Find out more about study abroad opportunities at Queen Mary and what the progression requirements are. Learn more about financing your year abroad here.

Additional Costs

Compulsory fieldwork will not cost you anything extra. For optional fieldwork, you will have to cover the cost of your flight and contribute towards accommodation and food.

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Testimonial

Zoology is the perfect course for anyone with an interest in the science of the natural world. It’s a course with plenty of hands on action, which takes you to lots of incredible places and gives you the chance to experience what a life as a scientist is like.

Joshua Pope, Zoology (2019)

Teaching

Teaching and learning

We use a mixture of teaching styles - lectures, tutorials, classroom activities and laboratory work.

Outside of classes, you’ll need to spend 20 to 25 hours per week preparing, writing up and reading.

Assessment

Each module is assessed by written examinations and coursework (practical reports, field course reports, essays, problem sheets, online exercises and tests).

Final-year students undertake a research or investigative project, assessed with a detailed written report, poster and interview.

Resources and facilities

The School offers excellent on-campus resources to aid your studies, including:

  • newly refurbished lecture theatres
  • up-to-date IT facilities
  • modern, well-equipped labs.

View tour of Fogg Building

Entry requirements

A-LevelGrades ABB at A-Level. This must include A-Level Biology.
IBInternational Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 34 points overall, including 6,5,5 from three Higher Level subjects. This must include Biology at Higher Level.
BTECSee our detailed subject and grade requirements
Access HEWe consider applications from students with the Access to Higher Education Diploma in a science discipline e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. The minimum academic requirement is to achieve 60 credits overall, with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. Applications are considered on a case by case basis, and we may request an interview. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not make offers of study purely on the basis of meeting grade requirements.
GCSEMinimum five GCSE passes including English and Maths at grade C or 4.
EPQ

Alternative offers may be made to applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification.

For further information please visit: qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry/epq

Contextualised admissions

Our standard contextual offer: Grades BBC including B in Biology at A-Level. Excludes General Studies, Critical Thinking.

Our enhanced contextual offer (for care experienced students, refugee/asylum seekers or students who have completed Realising Opportunities or Access to Queen Mary): Grades BCC including B in Biology at A-Level. Excludes General Studies, Critical Thinking.

More information on how this information is used for a contextual offer can be found on our contextualised admissions page.

A-LevelGrades CCC at A-Level. This must include A-Level Biology or Chemistry. A second science subject at A-Level from either Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths, Physics or Psychology is also required.
IBInternational Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 26 points overall, including 4,4,4 from three Higher Level subjects. This must include Biology or Chemistry at Higher Level. A second science subject at Higher Level of Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths, Physics or Psychology is also required.
BTECSee our detailed subject and grade requirements
Access HEWe consider applications from students with the Access to Higher Education Diploma in a science discipline e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. The minimum academic requirement is to achieve 60 credits overall, with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 15 credits must be at Distinction, 15 credits at Merit and 15 credits at Pass or higher. Applications are considered on a case by case basis, and we may request an interview. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not make offers of study purely on the basis of meeting grade requirements.
GCSEMinimum five GCSE passes including English and Maths at grade C or 4.
Contextualised admissionsWe consider every application on its individual merits and will take into consideration your individual educational experiences and context. More information on how academic schools and programmes use this information as part of the admissions process, can be found on our contextualised admissions pages.
A-LevelGrades ABB at A-Level.
IBInternational Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 34 points overall, including 6,5,5 from three Higher Level subjects. This must include Biology at Higher Level.
BTECSee our detailed subject and grade requirements
Access HEWe consider applications from students with the Access to Higher Education Diploma in a science discipline e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. The minimum academic requirement is to achieve 60 credits overall, with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. Applications are considered on a case by case basis, and we may request an interview. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not make offers of study purely on the basis of meeting grade requirements.
GCSEMinimum five GCSE passes including English and Maths at grade C or 4. This must include A-Level Biology.
EPQAlternative offers may be made to applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification. For further information please visit: qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry/epq
Contextualised admissionsOur standard contextual offer: Grades BBC including B in Biology at A-Level. Excludes General Studies, Critical Thinking.

Our enhanced contextual offer (for care experienced students, refugee/asylum seekers or students who have completed Realising Opportunities or Access to Queen Mary): Grades BCC including B in Biology at A-Level. Excludes General Studies, Critical Thinking.

More information on how this information is used for a contextual offer can be found on our contextualised admissions page.

Non-UK students

We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications. Please visit International Admissions for full details.

English language

Find out more about our English language entry requirements, including the types of test we accept and the scores needed for entry to the programme.

You may also be able to meet the English language requirement for your programme by joining a summer pre-sessional programme before starting your degree.

Further information

See our general undergraduate entry requirements.

Funding

Loans and grants

UK students accepted onto this course are eligible to apply for tuition fee and maintenance loans from Student Finance England or other government bodies.

Scholarships and bursaries

Queen Mary offers a generous package of scholarships and bursaries, which currently benefits around 50 per cent of our undergraduates.

Scholarships are available for home, EU and international students. Specific funding is also available for students from the local area. International students may be eligible for a fee reduction. We offer means-tested funding, as well as subject-specific funding for many degrees.

Find out what scholarships and bursaries are available to you.

Support from Queen Mary

We offer specialist support on all financial and welfare issues through our Advice and Counselling Service, which you can access as soon as you have applied for a place at Queen Mary.

Take a look at our Student Advice Guides which cover ways to finance your degree, including:

  • additional sources of funding
  • planning your budget and cutting costs
  • part-time and vacation work
  • money for lone parents.

Careers

Many of our students progress into scientific roles such as clinical and laboratory work, postgraduate research or science communication. Others transfer their skills into sectors such as marketing and finance.

93 per cent of our graduates are in work or further study within six months of graduation (HESA GOS 2017/18).

Recent Zoology graduates have been hired by:

  • ZSL London Zoo
  • Kent Wildlife Trust
  • London Wildlife Trust
  • Forestry Commission
  • The Environment Partnership.

Career support

The School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences has a careers consultant, who can offer specialist advice and organise subject-specific events. We also have a dedicated internships coordinator.

The Queen Mary careers team can also offer:

  • specialist advice on choosing a career path
  • support with finding work experience, internships and graduate jobs
  • feedback on CVs, cover letters and application forms
  • interview coaching.

Learn more about career support and development at Queen Mary.

Data for these courses

Zoology - BSc (Hons)

Biological Sciences with Foundation - BSc (Hons)

Zoology with Year Abroad - BSc (Hons)

The Discover Uni dataset (formerly Unistats)

About the School

The School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences is a large and dynamic school with strong links to industry. We offer a stimulating and supportive learning experience.

You’ll experience inspirational teaching from high-calibre staff who are leaders in their field. According to the Research Excellence Framework 2021, 91 per cent of our Biological Sciences research is either world-leading or internationally excellent. You’ll stay up to date with weekly departmental seminars on new research findings.

Thanks to our close teaching and research links, students have special opportunities for original investigative work with the Natural History Museum, ZSL London Zoo, Forest Enterprise, and University of London’s Marine Biological Station at Millport in Scotland.

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