From world-class zoos to wildlife in Africa, you’ll explore and understand the lives of animals on this Cambridge-based course. Take part in cutting-edge research in our specialist labs, closely linked to Cambridge University, and study animal behaviour in marine and terrestrial systems in the field. Recognised by the Royal Society of Biology, this course offers an optional placement year, giving you both the scientific training and practical skills for a career in zoos, wildlife conservation or environmental consultancy.
If you’re interested in a career exploring and understanding the lives of animals, you’ll be in good company – alongside Charles Darwin, Dian Fossey, Jane Goodall and David Attenborough.
Zoology is closely connected to subjects such as cell biology and genetics. You could choose to specialise in areas such as animal behaviour, wildlife biology or ecology and conservation.
Field work is an important part of zoology. It’s a practical subject and we’ll give you plenty of opportunities to learn and practise both in the lab and the field. In your second year you’ll take a week-long field trip to north Devon to experience both marine and terrestrial zoology, the costs of which are included in your course fees. On our optional field trips you might experience rutting red deer on the island of Rum; marine biology in Scotland; world-class zoos in the Netherlands; wildlife and ecology in Africa; and diving and marine biology overseas. You’ll need to pay for these optional trips.
Cambridge is becoming a world centre for wildlife conservation, with Fauna and Flora International, Birdlife International and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre based here. You’ll have opportunities to attend lectures and visit specialist museums and libraries in the city. If you’re interested in captive animal behaviour, you can access the facilities at the College of West Anglia, Cambridge.
Our three year degree is recognised by the Royal Society of Biology's degree-recognition scheme.
Course Details - Modules
Year one, core modules
Animal Form and Function
Introduction to Wildlife and Conservation
Biomeasurement
Introduction to Animal Behaviour
Origins of Life
Ecology
Evolution and Biodiversity
Introduction to Marine Biology
Year two, core modules
Biological Research Skills
Field Skills in Biology
Invertebrate Biology
Vertebrate Biology
Principles of Genetics and Evolution
Year two, optional modules
Marine and Terrestrial Communities
Evolution of Behaviour
Animal Health and Nutrition
Biological Bases of Behaviour
Parasitology
Biological Oceanography
Year three, core modules
Wildlife Conservation
Behavioural Ecology
Undergraduate Major Project
Year three, optional modules
Advanced Approaches in Animal Management
Zoos and Zoo Animal Management
Biogeography
Mammalogy
Cognition, Evolution and Behaviour
Countryside Management
Population Ecology and Wildlife Management
Practical Marine Biology
Tropical Ecology and Management
Coastal Marine Biology
Animal Communication
Applied Ethology and Animal Welfare
Course Details – Assessment Method
Throughout the course, we’ll use a range of assessment methods to help you measure your progress. Besides exams, these include essays, practical reports, computer-based assessments, presentations, debates, classroom- or laboratory-based tests, and reviews of scientific papers.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application Codes
Course code:
C300
Institution code:
A60
Campus Name:
Cambridge Campus
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
112 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 2 A Levels (or equivalent), including a pass in Biology.
2020 entry requirements are under review for the next cycle and have been published using the current cycle information. Please check back when Apply opens for the exact requirements.
If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.0 (Academic Level - with no individual score being lower than 5.5) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
