Zoology with Ornithology MZool Undergraduate - September 2025/26* Entry

This Master in Zoology (Ornithology) degree course is an extended undergraduate programme which allows you to graduate either with BSc (Hons) at the end of the third year or a Masters at the end of the fourth year. We offer a great deal of flexibility in our degrees giving you peace of mind.

Birds have a high profile as model organisms in zoology, and are the focus of growing conservation concern due to the alarming decline of many species. There is a growing demand for professional scientists with specialised knowledge and skills relating to birds.

This degree course in Zoology with Ornithology prepares you for work as a science professional as we combine traditional zoology with an emphasis upon avian biology and diversity. We deliver this alongside aspects of conservation management and practices. We will provide you with broad zoological training, with a special focus on both pure and applied aspects of animal life, as well as specialist ornithological knowledge and skills.

You will have the opportunity to acquire a broad range of laboratory and field skills, at home and abroad, and all the transferable skills associated with scientific training, including skills in data analysis, writing and presentation skills, IT skills and experience of independent and group-working. You will have access to a spread of Zoology modules covering vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as a suite of specialist modules on the exciting area of ornithology.

The fourth year MZool offers a unique opportunity to conduct an extended research project either in the laboratory or in the field. As an example, previous MZool projects have included exploring avian energetics during flight trials, examining how birds navigate via experimental manipulation, and ecological and behavioural studies of local Welsh species in partnership with local avian organizations and nature reserves.

Why choose Bangor University for this course?

• TV presenter Steve Backshall is now part of our teaching team.
• Bangor is a UK centre of research excellence in ornithology, with a team of full-time staff specialising in avian evolution, behaviour, physiology and conservation, and many other staff who have ornithological interests. 
• We benefit from expert input to this degree from the Wales office for the British Trust for Ornithology, which is located at Bangor University. 
• We have our own natural history museum.
• We also have a research farm, botanical gardens, and a pigeon loft.

Additional Course Options

On this course you are required to take 120 credits each year made up of lectures, practicals, and interactive exercises, as well as field trips and tutorials. The final year can include an integrated research project, which is supervised by a member of staff on a subject to suit your interests. Modules become more specialised as the degree progresses and the number of compulsory modules varies between years. Assessment is by a mixture of formal examination and continuous assessment.

Welsh medium modules are also available.

Modules for the current academic year

Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Zoology with Ornithology MZool Modules page.

Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.

General University Costs

Home (UK) students

• The cost of a full-time undergraduate course is £9,250 per year (2025/26).
• The fee for all integrated study abroad years is  £1,385 (2025/26).
• The fee for an integrated year in industry as part of a sandwich programme is £1,850 (2025/26).

More information on fees and finance for Home (UK) students.

International (including EU) students

• International Student Tuition Fees
• International Student Living Costs and Scholarships

Additional Costs
There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:

• If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
• If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for additional guest tickets (c.£12 each).

Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:

1. Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
2. Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
3. Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.

General University Requirements

To study for a degree, you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see www.ucas.com.

We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.

All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.

As part of the University’s policy, we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.

We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more information about studying as a mature student, see our Studying at Bangor section of the website.

EU and International Students' Entry Requirements

For detailed guidance on the entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.

Bangor University offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at Bangor University International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.

Our students now work in wildlife management, environmental consultancy, government organisations, non-governmental organisations like the National Trust or the RSPB, teaching and local and national media.

They have also gone on to a range of postgraduate study programmes.

Opportunities at Bangor

The University’s Careers and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions. 

The Bangor Employability Award (BEA)

The BEA is a comprehensive online course that you can work through at your own pace, taking you through all the steps you need to take to explore, prepare and apply for your dream career.

Internships

Bangor University runs a paid internship scheme within the university’s academic and service departments.

Student Volunteering

Volunteering widens your experience and improves your employability. Find out more about volunteering on the Students’ Union’s website.

A 'with Foundation Year' option is available for this course. Apply for Zoology (with Foundation Year).