Zoology MBiol, BSc at University of Leeds

As a zoology student at the University of Leeds, you will become an expert in all things animal, with a broad foundational knowledge and specialised and applied expertise. You will study everything from animal behaviour, learning how animals interact with their environment and each other, to how evolution shapes how animals persist in various ecosystems. In addition, you will learn how animals interact with global change, and by what method we recover and conserve the precious wildlife with which we cohabit this planet. With the modern world encountering a series of global challenges such as climate change, food security, invasive species and biodiversity conservation, knowledge and practical skills in this field are highly sought-after.

Not only will you develop knowledge in the area of zoology, but you’ll also strengthen your practical lab and experimental design skills, further enhancing them on our series of field courses. This specialist course will culminate with you completing your own full independent research project in your final year.

Our optional integrated Masters (MBiol) also offers you an additional year of specialist training, to study advanced research topics and undertake an extended project. You’ll study Masters-level topics, carry out extended research and have the chance to study savannah ecology and conservation in Kenya.

Career opportunities

As well as providing you with subject-specific knowledge, we aim to equip you with the best possible skills for a variety of future careers. All of our degrees have a strong emphasis on practical based teaching, small group teaching, online learning and problem solving.

Throughout the degree, you’ll gain a wide range of transferable skills which are highly valued by employers. Supported by the faculty student opportunity team, Leeds for Life scheme and your academic and personal tutor, you’ll be ideally placed to focus on your personal development and make the most of your time at university.

Your zoology degree will prepare you for a wide range of roles in many sectors such as conservation, environmental, agricultural and pharma. These may be lab or office based or out in the field. The skills and knowledge you develop will be relevant to zoology-related careers as well as broader opportunities after graduation.

Typical graduate careers include:

• Academic Researcher

• Ecologist

• Environmental Consultant

• Science Writer

• Zookeeper

• Nature Conservation Officer

Examples of recent graduate destinations include:

• MSc Primate Behaviour and Conservation

• MSc Molecular Parasitology and Vector Biology

• Herpetological Husbandry intern

• Data Analyst

• Zookeeper

• Voluntary Reserves Officer