BSc (Hons) Zoology Bachelor's degree at the University of Liverpool
BSc (Hons) Zoology at University of Liverpool. Zoology at Liverpool takes you through the breadth of animal biology, from the mechanics of behaviour and physiology to evolutionary history and conservation challenges, with the structure of the degree allowing you to move from grounding…
About this course
BSc (Hons) Zoology is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at the University of Liverpool, based in Main Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Biosciences graduates from this provider, 91% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 70% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £28,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Biological Sciences, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Moderate evidence Published sample: 45; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 91% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 100% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year one 6 modules
- Biology core concepts, principles, and fundamentalsCOMPULSORY
- Development, function, immunity, infection, and therapeuticsCOMPULSORY
- Introductory Practical Skills for Life SciencesCOMPULSORY
- From Individuals to EcosystemCOMPULSORY
- Study and Communication Skills TutorialsCOMPULSORY
- Applied Practical Research Skills for Life SciencesCOMPULSORY
Year two 10 modules
- Genetics, Microbiology & InfectionCOMPULSORY
- Intermediary Practical Research Skills for Life SciencesCOMPULSORY
- Academic & professional skills tutorialsCOMPULSORY
- Animal BehaviourCOMPULSORY
- Practical Skills in Evolution, Ecology and BehaviourCOMPULSORY
- Parasites, Pathogens and HostsCOMPULSORY
- Animal EcophysiologyCOMPULSORY
- Animal Anatomy, Physiology & HusbandryOPTIONAL
- Marine Ecophysiology, Ecology and ExploitationOPTIONAL
- Global FieldworkOPTIONAL
Year three 7 modules
- Research ProjectCOMPULSORY
- Introduction to the World of WorkCOMPULSORY
- Research MethodsCOMPULSORY
- Applied Conservation BiologyCOMPULSORY
- Advanced Ecology for a Sustainable FutureCOMPULSORY
- Advanced Topics in Evolutionary BiologyCOMPULSORY
- Zoology Field CourseCOMPULSORY
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
The course is structured around several strands that run through the three years, such as core theory, research & methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project and professional skills. Early study establishes the foundations of animal biology, covering the systems, structures and processes that define different species, while research & methods training introduces the statistical and investigative approaches used across zoological science. As the degree progresses, applied practice gives you the chance to work with real biological problems and data, and specialist options allow you to focus on the aspects of zoology that interest you most, whether that leans towards behaviour, ecology, physiology or evolutionary biology. The independent project is where this comes together: a piece of self-directed research that lets you apply everything you've learned to a question of your own choosing. Professional skills development runs alongside the academic content throughout, aimed at preparing you for the practicalities of scientific and research-based work after graduation.
Who it's for
This course suits people who have always been curious about animals and the natural world, and who want that curiosity channelled into a rigorous, evidence-based way of understanding it. If you enjoy fieldwork as much as you enjoy poring over data, and you're the kind of person who wants to know not just what an animal does but why, you'll find plenty to engage with here. It asks for patience and attention to detail, much of zoological research involves careful observation, repeated measurement and statistical analysis, so a methodical mindset matters as much as enthusiasm for wildlife. Most students who take this route have come through A-levels or equivalent qualifications, typically with UCAS tariffs in the 128–143 range, though these reflect what past entrants held rather than a strict requirement. It's a good fit for anyone considering a future in research, conservation, environmental work or further scientific study, and for those who want to spend three years developing both subject depth and the practical skills that come from hands-on biological work.
Careers & job market
Nationally, across Biological Sciences courses, 85% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with 60% of those in employment working in highly skilled roles or continuing into further study. These figures are national Graduate Outcomes data rather than specific to Liverpool, but they give a general sense of the destinations open to bioscience graduates. National earnings data (LEO) for the field shows starting salaries in the region of £23,000–£29,000 fifteen months after graduation, with figures of £20,400–£28,800 after three years and £25,075–£35,400 after five years, again, these are national ranges across the sector rather than outcomes specific to this course or guaranteed figures. Around 90% of students nationally continue into their second year or complete their studies, which is a useful indicator of how manageable the transition into this kind of degree tends to be.
University & format
This BSc (Hons) in Zoology is delivered full-time over three years at the University of Liverpool's main campus, studied in English and identified by UCAS code C300. Liverpool is a public, research-intensive Russell Group university founded in 1903, with a total student population of 28,693, and it holds a Gold rating in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 for teaching quality. The university was. As a recognised UK degree-awarding body, the qualification you receive is nationally recognised.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Year in industry. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 95% |
| another higher-education qualification | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code C300). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at University of Liverpool →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Biological Sciences graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £28,000 | £25,000 – £30,500 | 45 |
| 3 years after | £24,500 | £20,500 – £29,000 | 215 |
| 5 years after | £33,000 | £26,500 – £40,000 | 240 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 45; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in biological sciences · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Biological Sciences nationally
National figures for Biological Sciences graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 45; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Biological Sciences courses at the same study level.
Compared with 771 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionalsSOC 2020 31 · 18% of published destinations · ASHE median £34,828
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 12% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
- Natural and social science professionalsSOC 2020 211 · 11% of published destinations · ASHE median £44,243
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 190; response rate: 64%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Biological Sciences graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Biological Sciences graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- NHS & hospital labs
- Pharma & biotech
- Universities & institutes
- Public-health bodies
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Biological Sciences graduates.
Head of School, Biological Sciences - Strategic Leadership & GrowthUNIVERSITY OF READINGEducation-Focused Assistant Professor, Biological SciencesUniversity of BirminghamBiological Structures Data Engineer I/IIIambicBiological Structures Data Engineer I/IIIambic Therapeutics, IncCrop Geneticist The James Hutton Institute, Department of Cell & Molecular SciencesEuropean Plant Science OrganisationRegional Lead, Life Sciences FM, UK, Ireland & NordicsJLLIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
91% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £28,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.3 out of 10: NSS 86.7% · in work or study 91% · continued 100%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Liverpool
Biological and sport sciences across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Main Campus
5,175 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Biological Sciences right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to University of Liverpool from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £32,000 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check University of Liverpool’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with University of Liverpool and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Liverpool
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
Request information about BSc (Hons) Zoology
Prospectus, key dates, entry and funding, free to your inbox.