Zoology

Zoology is the scientific study of the animal kingdom in all its astonishing diversity. It examines the evolution, physiology, ecology, behaviour, and conservation of animals, from invertebrates and fish through to reptiles, birds, and mammals, asking how animal life has diversified over hundreds of millions of years and how animals survive, reproduce, and interact with their environments today. The discipline combines laboratory and fieldwork skills with the theoretical frameworks of evolutionary biology, ecology, and genetics, and it sits at the forefront of efforts to understand and protect biodiversity in a rapidly changing world.

At the University of Nottingham, this three-year full-time programme includes a foundation year for students who need to build their scientific preparation, as well as a sandwich year, a year abroad, and work placement opportunities. This exceptional range of structural features means you can gain significant professional and international experience during your degree, spending time in zoological or conservation settings and developing the practical competencies that employers and postgraduate programmes look for. You will study comparative anatomy, animal physiology, evolutionary biology, population ecology, conservation biology, and animal behaviour, developing both laboratory and fieldwork skills that allow you to collect and analyse biological data from a range of settings.

Fieldwork is central to the discipline, and you will have opportunities to work with animals in their natural environments.

Zoology graduates pursue careers in conservation, environmental consultancy, wildlife management, zoological collections, research, and science education. Roles include conservation scientist, ecologist, wildlife biologist, zoo keeper, environmental consultant, and research assistant. Many graduates go on to postgraduate research in zoology, evolutionary biology, conservation genetics, or ecology, and others work in science communication, journalism, and public engagement.

The combination of biological knowledge and field and laboratory skills is valued by employers in the environmental sector, in biological recording and monitoring, and in international conservation organisations working on wildlife protection and habitat management.