Metadata
Title
Zoology BSc Honours
Category
undergraduate
UUID
b268dbc909334de1830c1a88c95b0481
Source URL
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/c300/
Parent URL
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate/subjects/biology/
Crawl Time
2026-03-19T01:17:04+00:00
Rendered Raw Markdown

Zoology BSc Honours

Source: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/c300/ Parent: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate/subjects/biology/

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Clearing - How to apply

What is Clearing?

Each year, universities may have spaces left on their courses after the application window has closed in June.

UCAS Clearing is your opportunity to snap up one of these places, even if you didn't apply to the university prior to the June deadline.

It also gives you a second chance to go to university if you didn't get the grades you needed for your firm and insurance offers.

How do I get in touch?

Our Clearing entry requirements may differ from those advertised. Please contact our friendly advisers to find out if you’re eligible for a place. You can get in touch through our hotlines: 

Not available in Clearing \ \ This course is not available in Clearing 2025. \ \ This means there are no spaces available for Clearing 2025. If you can't find vacancies in your original course or subject area, try exploring other subjects in a related field. \ \ Search our courses in Clearing

[## Undergraduate Open Day

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Course overview

Develop your scientific knowledge and learn about the fundamentals of zoology. Our Zoology BSc degree will prepare you for a career in this diverse field.

You’ll get practical teaching in the lab and the field. It’ll help you perfect the skills needed to succeed in zoology.

Our Zoology BSc degree has the same first year as our Biology BSc degree. This will give you a good foundation in biology, before specialising in zoology later in your degree.

You'll study modules in:

Download information about this course as a PDF

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions\ Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.\ \ View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2025-26.\ \ See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability\ Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.\ \ Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.\ \ To find out more please see our terms and conditions

During this stage, you’ll start to specialise in zoology and the study of animals with five compulsory modules including a field course on the insect biology and ecology.

In the first stage of your degree, you’ll develop a strong foundation in zoology and get stuck into practical work from the start. You‘ll study four compulsory modules and choose 40 credits of optional modules. After stage 1, you can transfer to our Biology BSc degree. This must happen before Stage 2 starts.

Modules

You will take the following compulsory modules:

Compulsory modules Credits
Genetics and Evolution 20
Ecology and Conservation 20
Animal Life 20
Skills for the Biosciences 20

You will take one of the following optional modules:

Optional modules Credits
Molecular Biology of the Cell 20
Biomolecules – the Biochemical Basis of Life 20

You will take two modules from the following list:

Optional modules Credits
Crop Health 10
Introduction to Animal Physiology 10
Animal Health 10

During this stage, you’ll start to specialise in zoology and the study of animals with five compulsory modules including a field course on the insect biology and ecology.

Modules

Compulsory modules

You take the following compulsory modules:

Compulsory module Credits
Insect Biology and Ecology* (previously called Insect Biology and Origins) 20
Professional Skills for Bioscientists (previously called Academic and Employability Skills) 20
Animal Function (Physiology and Development) 20
Evolution and Behaviour (previously called Evolutionary Biology) 20
Vertebrate Biology* 20

*Field courses take place prior to Stage 2

Optional modules

You takeone of the following optional modules:

Optional module Credits
Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation 20
Field-based Ecology: designing experiments, and residential field course 20

With the approval of the Degree Programme Director, you may select alternative optional modules to those listed above, with a total value of not more than 20 credits.

In your final year, you’ll study advanced zoology topics. You'll work on your own research project (40 credits), with the support of an academic supervisor. You can choose a topic linked to our research expertise, such as:

You’ll also continue to develop your fieldwork skills.

Modules

Compulsory modules

If you are doing a Year 3 Placement Year, you will take the following compulsory module:

Compulsory module Credits
Career Service Placement Year Module 120

If you are doing a Year 3 International Study Year, you will take the following compulsory module:

Compulsory module Credits
International Study Year Module 120

Otherwise, you will take the following compulsory modules:

Compulsory module Credits
Research Project 40
Physiological Zoology 20
Current Zoology 20

You will also take one of the following compulsory modules:

Compulsory module Credits
Animal Welfare & Behaviour 20
Biodiversity Science and Management 20

Optional modules

You take one of the following optional modules:

Optional module Credits
Biological Modelling 20
Africa Field Course: Conservation and Ecology* 20

*Africa Field Course: Conservation and Ecology takes place prior to Stage 3

With the approval of the Degree Programme Director, an alternative optional module to  \ those listed above may be selected, with a total value of not more than 20 credits. The following module may be selected without the need for DPD approval:

Optional module Credits
Career Development for Final Year Students* 20

*If Career Development was taken at Stage 2, you cannot take it in Stage 3.

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They are based on the modules chosen by our students in 2024-25.

Teaching time is made up of:

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

You'll be taught via a combination of methods, including:

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.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

Skills and experience

Practical experience

We’ve designed the Zoology BSc degree to give you lots of hands-on experience, through:

You'll have the chance to go on a mammal surveying skills field course in the UK or Africa.

Research skills

You'll learn about the latest research from our school. This research-led approach to teaching makes sure your studies are accurate and relevant. You'll learn from experts in their fields, in:

Some recent student dissertation titles:

Research from our school

Opportunities

Study abroad

Gain a global perspective, enhance your academic profile and open doors to exciting new experiences by studying abroad for one semester or a full academic year at one of our partner universities overseas. Study abroad usually takes place in stage 3 of your studies and extends your degree by one year.

You'll have the choice to study at a leading international university, including:

You can also opt for short-term global opportunities like summer schools, virtual exchanges or internships that usually take place over the summer months.

Find out more about study abroad

Work placement

During your degree you can apply to spend 9 to 12 months on an industrial placement, in the UK or abroad. Your work placement is a great opportunity to gain practical experience, acquire key business skills and make industry contacts. You’ll get University support from our dedicated team. Work placements usually take place between Stages 2 and 3 and extend your degree by a year.

Recent Biology and Zoology industrial placements include:

Find out more about work placements

Facilities and environment

Facilities

The Ridley building is the home of our Biology and Zoology degrees and is located on our city-centre campus. It is based in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences. Located within are purpose-built teaching and specialist research laboratories catering for our specialisms including:

During your studies, you'll have access to the University’s outstations including:

Our outstations are used for teaching, demonstration and research.

You'll also gain hands-on experience with industry-standard software to prepare you for your future career.

PreviousNext

Support

We take your health and wellbeing seriously and are committed to supporting you throughout your studies so you can fulfil your potential at university. This support includes:

Your future

Our zoology degree equips you with a wide range of skills to ensure you have many career opportunities available to you.

Many graduates find work in commercial or medical laboratory positions, conservation work and animal care. Some choose to continue their studies in specialist areas such as:

We have strong links with leading organisations, including:

You can find work placements, internships and volunteer roles through these links. It’s a great way to build up your network in the sector.

Careers support

Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

If you’re studying an accredited degree and thinking about working in Europe after you graduate, the best place to find current information is the UK Government’s guidance on recognition of UK professional qualifications in EU member states. This official resource explains whether your profession is regulated in another country, what steps you need to take, and which organisation you should contact.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications.

The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2026 entry. 

A-Level
ABB including Biology and normally another science-related subject from: Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Geography, Psychology, Environmental Science or Geology. General Studies is excluded. Chemistry is preferred at A or AS Level, but not essential. For Biology, Chemistry and Physics A Levels, we require a pass in the practical element. GCSE Mathematics minimum grade B or 6 if not offered at A or AS Level.
International Baccalaureate
32 points normally including Higher Level Biology at grade 6. Chemistry is preferred at Higher Level but not essential. Mathematics and Chemistry required at Standard Level grade 5 if not offered at Higher Level.

Other UK and the Republic of Ireland qualifications

Select your qualification Scottish QualificationsIrish Leaving CertificateAccess QualificationsCambridge Pre-UExtended Project QualificationBTEC Nationals/Cambridge TechnicalsT Level

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Alternative offers at Newcastle

Through one of our contextual or alternative offer routes, you could receive an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirements.

Check your eligibility

Select your alternative offer A Levels with PARTNERSScottish Qualifications with PARTNERSBTEC Nationals/Cambridge Technicals with PARTNERSContextual OfferRealising Opportunities OfferScottish Highers With Pathways To NewcastleA Levels With Pathways To Newcastle

Contextual offers

We use certain contextual data from your UCAS form, alongside your application, to consider challenges that you may have faced in your education and the potential effect this may have had on your qualifications. This means you may be eligible to receive a lower contextual offer.

PARTNERS offers

One of the largest and longest support entry routes to university of its kind for students from underrepresented backgrounds. We support applicants from application through to study.

Realising Opportunities offers

A unique programme delivered in collaboration with 10 leading, research-intensive universities in the UK. The programme is open to students in Year 12/first year of college.

Pathways to Newcastle offers

Pathways to Newcastle, our national skills entry route, is available for specific subject areas.

High Performance Athletes

We support promising athletes at the application stage, who compete in regional, national or international levels in their sport.

Qualifications from outside the UK

Select your country AfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBritish Virgin IslandsBruneiBulgariaBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCaribbeanCayman IslandsChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCyprusCyprus (North)Cyprus (South)Czech RepublicDenmarkDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFijiFinlandFranceGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGrenadaGuatemalaGuyanaHaitiHondurasHong KongHungaryIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIsraelItalyIvory CoastJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKosovoKuwaitLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLithuaniaLuxembourgMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaltaMauritiusMexicoMongoliaMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPakistanPalestinePanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRepublic of IrelandRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSwazilandSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzania, United Republic ofThailandTogoTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUruguayUSAUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaVietnamZambiaZimbabwe

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English Language requirements

Select your qualification IELTSTOEFLPearsonsDuolingo English TestOther

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Entrance courses (INTO)

International Pathway courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO.

These courses are specifically designed for international students who want to study in the UK and progress onto one of our undergraduate degrees. Our International Study Centre, has a range of study options including:

Find out more about International Pathway courses

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for academic year 2026-2027

The 2026 entry home fees have not yet been confirmed.

Qualification: BSc Honours Full time
Home students Full time: 3 years Tuition fees (Year 1) Not Set
International students Full time: 3 years Tuition fees (Year 1) £31,500

Home Fee Students

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course. £9,535 is the maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students for the academic year 2025-26. This is set by the UK government. This fee has not yet been confirmed for 2026-27.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

International Fee Students

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spenda year on a work placement or studying abroad,you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year.

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Scholarships

Find out more about:

Open days and events

UK open days

You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year at our on-campus and virtual open days.

You'll be able to:

You'll also have the opportunity to speak to academic staff and find out more about the subjects you're interested in.

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually.

Worldwide events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University. Visit our events calendar to find out when we're visiting your region.

Online events

Visit our events calendar for the latest virtual events

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages

Get in touch

By phone

Call us on +44 (0) 191 208 3333 and press option 1. Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 10am until 4pm.

Live chat

Our NCL chatbot might be able to give you an answer straight away. If not, it’ll direct you to someone who can help.

You'll find our NCL chatbot in the bottom right of this page.

Online

Fill in our enquiry form

Chat to our students

Choosing a university is a big decision. If you've got questions about a particular course, student life or the city of Newcastle, why not chat to our friendly students or graduates!

Book a one-to-one chat

Book a slot with one of our Zoology academic staff for a one-to-one chat about your subject of interest, student experience, and more: Book now

Keep updated

We regularly send email updates and extra information about the University.

Receive regular updates by email

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