BSc (Hons) Zoology at University of Plymouth

Programme overview

BSc (Hons) Zoology studies animal life in terrestrial, marine and freshwater environments, covering behaviour, ecology, anatomy and molecular biology. Teaching combines laboratory practicals with fieldwork, including a first-year field course in southern Spain or a UK alternative, and an optional placement year.

Faculty: Faculty of Science and Engineering | Department: School of Biological and Marine Sciences | Duration: 3 years full-time (plus optional placement year) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Plymouth, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 core modules are Introduction to Biology, Cells: The Building Blocks of Life, Ecology and the Diversity of Life, Principles of Physiology and Evolution and Behaviour, with optional Spain or UK Field Ecology. Year 2 core modules include Animal Behaviour, Animal Ecophysiology, Comparative Zoology and Methods in Biology, with a choice of field courses (previously Kenya and Costa Rica). An optional placement of at least 24 weeks takes place between years 2 and 3.

Career pathways

Graduates work in consultancy, academia, NGOs, government, wildlife rehabilitation and veterinary science, among other fields.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Typical offer 104 UCAS points. A-levels: 104 points including grade C in Biology and preferably a second relevant subject (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Geography, Geology, Environmental Science or Studies, Applied Science, Marine Science, Psychology); General Studies accepted. BTEC: DMM in Science, subject to the modules studied. Access: science diploma with 33 credits in science units at merit including at least 12 in biology and 21 in a second science. T level: Merit in Science. IB: 26 points including Higher Level Biology and a second science. GCSE Mathematics and English language grade C/4. Contextual offers are typically 8 points below the advertised tariff. Some applicants are interviewed at the Admissions Tutor's discretion. International applicants need IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each component (University undergraduate standard requirement).

Domestic applicants: GBP 9,790 a year (2026/27) Source

International applicants: GBP 19,200 a year (2026/27) Source

Duration: 3 years

Engineering