About This Course
If you have always wanted to work with animals, then this specialist MZool is for you! This is a four-year extended undergraduate programme which allows you to graduate either with BSc (Hons) at the end of the third year or with a Master at the end of the fourth year. The fourth year offers a unique opportunity to conduct an extended research project either in the laboratory or in the field.
Zoology is literally all about animals. On this degree you will receive a thorough grounding, exploring the diversity of animal form and function and the evolution and ecology of the major animal groups. You will also consider applied aspects of zoology such as parasitology and the interaction between animals and their environment. You will have the opportunity to acquire a broad range of laboratory and field experience, at home and abroad, whilst acquiring transferable skills associated with scientific training (such as 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 both vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as a suite of specialist Animal Management modules, designed specifically for this degree programme.
This programme presents a comprehensive, scientific approach to animal management, through the synthesis of multidisciplinary and specialist zoology modules. Central to this programme are two modules exploring research-informed approaches to animal management, including key concepts such as animal husbandry, animal health, nutrition, behaviour, training, facility management, commercial farming and zoo management. Many sessions are applied, incorporating a range of examples from animal collections, aquaria, laboratory facilities and the commercial farming industry. The assessments on these modules are designed around real-world applications of animal management, with a particular focus on preparing you for a career within the industry and enhancing employability. Between the second and third year, you will complete an animal husbandry placement of your choice, which will enhance your employability through the acquisition of hands-on experience. In your final year, you will use your comprehensive knowledge of this area to design and carry out an original research project.
If this sounds like the degree for you, then be sure to pack your wellington boots! Our University farm, Henfaes Research Centre is central to our specialist modules, giving you the opportunity to apply your knowledge and develop practical skills. There will also be many visits to our neighbouring zoos and field sites. Seminar sessions incorporate a range of external professionals working in the animal industry, alongside our own animal technicians – providing you with fantastic network opportunities and support and insight into career pathways, post-graduation.
The programme director for this degree has experience of working within the zoo industry and has developed our animal management modules with the aim of enhancing student employability within this field. In additional to a range of external seminars from professionals within the industry, we have links with the following organisations:
- Welsh Mountain Zoo
- Chester Zoo
- Knowsley Safari Park
- Anglesey Sea Zoo
Why choose Bangor University for this course?
- The academic member of staff leading this degree programme has experience of working in the zoo industry and has included a range of inspirational expert talks to the animal management modules.
- We have our own University farm, Henfaes Research Centre.
- In the Year 3 Animal Husbandry Placement you’ll acquire animal husbandry experience within the industry.
Additional Course Options
This course is available with a Placement Year option where you will study for 1 additional year. The Placement Year is undertaken at the end of the second year and students are away for the whole of the academic year.
The Placement Year provides you with a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop valuable skills and contacts through working with a self-sourced organisation relevant to your degree subject. The minimum period in placement (at one or more locations) is seven calendar months; more usually you would spend 10-12 months with a placement provider. You would normally start sometime in the period June to September of your second year and finish between June and September the following year. Placements can be UK-based or overseas and you will work with staff to plan and finalise the placement arrangements.
You will be expected to find and arrange a suitable placement to complement your degree and will be fully supported throughout by a dedicated member of staff at your academic School and the University’s Careers and Employability Services.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option when you have started your course at Bangor and can make an application for a transfer onto this pathway at the appropriate time. Read more about the work experience opportunities that may be available to you or, if you have any questions, please get in touch.
This course is available with an International Experience Year option where you will study or work abroad for 1 additional year. You will have ‘with International Experience’ added to your degree title on graduating.
Studying abroad is a great opportunity to see a different way of life, learn about new cultures and broaden your horizons. With international experience of this kind, you’ll really improve your career prospects. There are a wide variety of destinations and partner universities to choose from. If you plan to study in a country where English is not spoken natively, there may be language courses available for you at Bangor and in your host university to improve your language skills.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option at any time during your degree at Bangor and make your application. If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch.
Read more about the International Experience Year programme and see the studying or working abroad options on the Student Exchanges section of our website.
Watch - Bangor University's Game-Changing Partnership with Chester Zoo
We've been given this amazing opportunity to come to Chester Zoo throughout our first semester and being able to meet so many people from different areas of the zoo, people who have such a wide variety of jobs, jobs I didn't even know existed.
I think it gives us such an insight into how the zoo works behind the scenes and also helps us look at potential careers and gives us some ideas of maybe what we would want to go into in the future and it's just been so valuable to have all that information going into the industry.
When I came to Bangor and I was developing my teaching, there was a lot of demand from students that wanted something that was more industry focused, the zoo industry more specifically.
And I felt that by developing the animal management degree that we were definitely filling that gap.
So at the time when I was putting together the content for the animal management specific modules, so these modules that are available to students on the zoology with animal management degree, I sent the module specifications out to a number of different organisations but Chester Zoo was one of the main ones.
For feedback, that we were ticking all of the boxes that we needed with assessments and content and learning outcomes in terms of employability. And it was at that point, that my contact in the zoo, Liz said, ‘oh, have you thought about a partnership? I think we’d work really nicely together and that this would work really well.’
And so off the back of that, the Zoology with Animal Management degree was formed. We've worked with Bangor for a really long time, really good longstanding relationship. We get excellent students from them on placements. So excellent projects, brilliant skills development. And we just see, you know, the UK's leading zoo matching up with a real leading university to benefit conservation.
The students that are on the zoology with animal management degree, they get many special workshops organised by Chester Zoo. They get the opportunity to see behind the scenes and see what happens. They also get to see the different roles available here at the zoo. Often, people think of zookeepers but there are so many researchers involved. This means they get a unique experience.
It’s great, we can meet those who do the research behind the scenes and we get a completely different experience that no one else at the university gets. The zoo industry is very competitive and I believe that this degree provides a platform for students wishing to enter that career.
I'm actually an ex-student from Bangor. I spent a placement year here at Chester Zoo. And then I got to meet the team that I'm currently working with. That's the behavioural and welfare team. And from that, I then went back to my final year where I took the animal management module, again, with that connection to the zoo environment. And then from then on, I graduated and then luckily got a position that turned up at Chester Zoo. And then I came back to Chester Zoo. And then I'm working in a role here. I think the partnership between Bangor Uni and Chester Zoo is really an amazing one. There's options to do placement year, which is what I did. And that will enable you again to get the links and get contacts within the industry and then sort of get your foot in the door once you've completed your degree at Bangor.
Video - Studying Biological Sciences
Course Content
On this course you will be required to take 120 credits each year made up of lectures, practicals, and interactive exercises, as well as field trips and tutorials in years one and two. The third year will include an integrated research project, which is supervised by a member of staff on a subject to suit your interests. The fourth year offers a unique opportunity to conduct an extended research project either in the laboratory or in the field. During this year, you will gain a detailed knowledge about and understanding of a specific research problem in animal management, via supervised work on a current issue in zoo or commercial farming research. This will include experiential knowledge of how this research is conducted. Modules become more specialised as the degree progresses, and the number of compulsory modules varies between years. You will be assessed by a mixture of formal examination and continuous assessment.
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 Animal Management MZool Modules page.
Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.
Facilities
Natural Sciences facilities
- Natural History Museum with an exceptionally comprehensive collection of vertebrate material, which includes a diverse collection of vertebrate and invertebrate specimens, including primates.
- Extensive marine and freshwater aquaria with a suite of temperature-controlled rooms.
- Pigeon loft for bird cognition, physiology, and biomechanics research.
- Treborth Botanic Garden, which covers an area of 18 hectares on the shores of the Menai Strait. It contains Europe's largest underground root laboratory (the rhizotron), a teaching laboratory, formal garden beds, a rock garden, an arboretum and a conservation collection.
- Rodent and reptile facilities.
- Our university farm based at Henfaes, about 7 miles from Bangor and totals 252 hectares. It provides facilities for research and teaching in lowland agriculture, forestry, hydrology, environmental science and conservation. We conduct fieldtrips and you can run your own large-scale experiment for your project.
- Alpaca, sheep and bee hives at the University farm at Henfaes.
- We are on the coast, next to the Irish Sea and the Menai Strait providing a range of habitat types for field courses and study sites for final-year projects.
- Dedicated reptile facilities including venomous snake rooms.
- Environmentally controlled spaces for project work.
- Insect rooms.
- Woodlands.
- Large modern teaching and research laboratories, and a dedicated student research hub for dissertation work.
- Imaging facilities.
- A very large range of analytical kit, so that you can learn how to analyse environmental samples both in the field and in the lab.
- Our very own geology collection – regarded as one of the best in the country.
- Computer laboratories for you to develop your skills in key areas such as digital mapping and environmental modelling.
- Wood library.
- Dedicated environmental research labs.
- One of our best facilities is the environment on our doorstep – you will get the chance to visit so many different places on our fieldtrips, which will cement your learning and understanding of topics.
- Our biological, chemical, and environmental laboratories are used for a range of teaching and learning. We have specific research-laboratories located in the Environmental Centre Wales, which include: a radio and stable isotope lab, a Category 2 pathogen lab, a darkened microscope room, sample preparation laboratories and a dedicated analytical instrument lab.
General University Facilities
Library and Archive Services
Our four libraries provide a range of attractive study environments including collaborative work areas, meeting rooms and silent study spaces.
We have an extensive collection of books and journals and many of the journals are available online in full-text format.
We house one of the largest university-based archives not only in Wales, but also the UK. Allied to the Archives is the Special Collections of rare printed books.
Learning Resources
There is a range of learning resources available, supported by experienced staff, to help you in your studies.
The University’s IT Services provides computing, media and reprographics facilities and services including:
- Over 1,150 computers for students, with some PC rooms open 24 hours a day
- Blackboard, a commercial Virtual Learning Environment, that makes learning materials available on-line.
Course Costs
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
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Entry Requirements
GCSE: grade C/4 in English, Maths and Double Award Science, if not demonstrated by the Level 3 qualification/s.
Offers are tariff based, 120 - 136 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification e.g.:
- A Levels: Including grade C in Biology if studying 1 other science subject (Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Psychology, Environment Science, Geography, Geology); or grade B in Biology if not studying another science subject. General Studies and Key Skills not normally accepted.
- BTEC National Extended Diploma: DDM - DDD, including Merits in 4 Biology modules. Modules accepted: Animal Biology; Animal Anatomy and Physiology; Animal Behaviour and Communication; Animal Breeding and Genetics; Biochemistry and Biochemical Techniques; Biochemistry and Microbiology; Fundamentals of Science; Genetics and Genetic Engineering; Inheritance and Genetic Manipulation; Physiology of Human Body systems; Physiology of Human Regulation and Reproduction; Wildlife Populations, Ecology and Conservation. (Other Biology-related modules considered case by case)
- Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in Applied Science**: DDM - DDD
- City & Guilds Advanced Technical Extended Diploma (1080): DDM - DDD, including 4 Biology modules (Accepted Biology modules include: Animal Behaviour and Communication; Biological Systems of Animals; Wildlife and Ecology Conservation; Inheritance and Genetics; Ecological Concepts and Application; Population Surveys; Ecology and Conservation. Other Biology-related modules considered case by case).
- International Baccalaureate Diploma: Including H5 in Biology
- Welsh Baccalaureate: We will accept this qualification in conjunction with other level 3 qualifications
- Access to HE in Science**: Pass required
- T-levels: considered on a case-by-case basis
- Extended Project Qualification: Points can include a relevant Extended Project (EPQ) but must include a minimum 2 full A-levels, or equivalent.
We are happy to accept combinations of the qualifications listed above, as well as alternative Level 3 qualifications such as City & Guilds, Access and Cambridge Technical Diplomas.
We also welcome applications from mature learners.
International Candidates: International Candidates: school leaving qualifications that are equivalent to A levels/Level 3 and/or college diplomas are accepted from countries worldwide (subject to minimum English Language requirements). More information can be found on our International pages.
*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go to www.ucas.com.
**Similar subject areas may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
GCSE: grade C/4 in English, Maths and Double Award Science, if not demonstrated by the Level 3 qualification/s.
Offers are tariff based, 128 - 144 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification e.g.:
- A Levels: Including grade C in Biology if studying 1 other science subject (Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Psychology, Environment Science, Geography, Geology); or grade B in Biology if not studying another science subject. General Studies and Key Skills not normally accepted.
- BTEC National Extended Diploma: DDM - DDD, including Merits in 4 Biology modules. Modules accepted: Animal Biology; Animal Anatomy and Physiology; Animal Behaviour and Communication; Animal Breeding and Genetics; Biochemistry and Biochemical Techniques; Biochemistry and Microbiology; Fundamentals of Science; Genetics and Genetic Engineering; Inheritance and Genetic Manipulation; Physiology of Human Body systems; Physiology of Human Regulation and Reproduction; Wildlife Populations, Ecology and Conservation. (Other Biology-related modules considered case by case)
- Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in Applied Science**: DDM - DDD
- City & Guilds Advanced Technical Extended Diploma (1080): DDM - DDD, including 4 Biology modules (Accepted Biology modules include: Animal Behaviour and Communication; Biological Systems of Animals; Wildlife and Ecology Conservation; Inheritance and Genetics; Ecological Concepts and Application; Population Surveys; Ecology and Conservation. Other Biology-related modules considered case by case).
- International Baccalaureate Diploma: Including H5 in Biology
- Welsh Baccalaureate: We will accept this qualification in conjunction with other level 3 qualifications
- Access to HE in Science**: Pass required
- T-levels: considered on a case-by-case basis
- Extended Project Qualification: Points can include a relevant Extended Project (EPQ) but must include a minimum 2 full A-levels, or equivalent.
We are happy to accept combinations of the qualifications listed above, as well as alternative Level 3 qualifications such as City & Guilds, Access and Cambridge Technical Diplomas.
We also welcome applications from mature learners.
International Candidates: International Candidates: school leaving qualifications that are equivalent to A levels/Level 3 and/or college diplomas are accepted from countries worldwide (subject to minimum English Language requirements). More information can be found on our International pages.
*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go to www.ucas.com.
**Similar subject areas may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
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.
Careers
Zoology graduates are qualified for a variety of careers both in biological fields, and in areas where specific scientific knowledge may not be required. Potential employers for Zoology with Animal Management graduates include universities and government research institutions; zoos: see British & Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA); wildlife trusts and environmental protection agencies; the commercial farming industry; wildlife rehabilitation centres; animal rescue centres; animal research facilities; animal research laboratories.
Opportunities at Bangor
The University’s Careers and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions.
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.
Foundation Year
A 'with Foundation Year' option is available for this course. Apply for Zoology (with Foundation Year).
What is a Foundation Year course?
If you don’t have the required qualifications for the degree-level course or are looking to re-enter education after time away from study, then a Foundation Year Programme might be the right choice for you.
The Foundation Year is an excellent introduction to studying this subject at university and will provide you with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to go on to study this course at degree-level.
When you have successfully completed the Foundation Year, you can progress on to the first year of this degree-level course.
