BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation with Zoo Biology · University of SalfordBachelor's degree · 3 years
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The University of Salford · Undergraduate

BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation with Zoo Biology Bachelor's degree at the University of Salford

BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation with Zoo Biology at University of Salford is recognised by the Royal Society of Biology for associate membership purposes.

BSc (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
90%
in work/study (15m)

About this course

Gain both practical skills and theoretical knowledge to meet the challenge of saving our wildlife and precious ecosystems with our BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation with Zoo Biology degree. Apply now. From the provider’s course page.

BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation with Zoo Biology is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at the University of Salford. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.

For Biosciences graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 30% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £25,000. (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.

8.7
/ 10
Excellent
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Strong79

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)

Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Exceptional90

Moderate evidence Published sample: 35; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Exceptional90

Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 90% (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
  • Biodiversity
    Module details

    Overview of remarkable biodiversity, focusing on the major groups, their characteristics, their diversity, and their evolutionary relationships.

  • Global Distribution Wildlife
    Module details

    Overview of the world's major biomes. Learn about the importance of biogeography and the principal factors that drive the distribution of species and communities and how wildlife adapts to these factors.

  • Study Skills
    Module details

    Learn by observation, investigation, comparison and engagement and develop practical learning and presentation methods. Gain appreciation of Personal Development Planning and effective data handling, calculation and numerical skills.

  • Introduction to Zoo Biology
    Module details

    Integrative approach to understand basic concepts of zoo biology. Largely lecture-based, and also includes day trips to local zoos.

  • Field Biology
    Module details

    Introduction to field techniques required for ecological surveys of land and aquatic habitats. Delivered by lectures, non-residential fieldwork, computer and practical classes. Develops identification and taxonomy skills, and introduces GIS and its uses within fieldwork.

  • Genes to Ecosystems
    Module details

    First trimester provides a systems-led approach to understand basic concepts of genetics. Second trimester extends this approach to understand basic concepts of ecosystems.

Year two 8 modules
  • Conservation in Zoos
    Module details

    Gain a critical awareness of zoo conservation programmes and the role of zoo professionals. Learn about reproductive biology, genetics, and disease in zoos and zoo animals and how to manage these.

  • Wildlife Behavioural Ecology
    Module details

    Focuses on the principles of wildlife ecology and animal behaviour with particular reference to mammal and bird species. Introduces scientific methods in the study of ecology and behaviour.

  • Conservation Biology
    Module details

    Introduction to modern concepts of conservation biology at the level of species and populations, existing tensions between theory and practice in species conservation planning, and overview of the interdisciplinary toolbox used by conservation biologists. Design an appropriate conservation programme for a species or population.

  • Research Skills
    Module details

    Learn by observation, investigation, comparison and engagement and develop practical learning and presentation methods which can be applied generically during the rest of the course and beyond.

  • Primate Behaviour and ConservationOptional
    Module details

    Knowledge of the structure and evolution of primate societies. Look at the Primate Order, its distribution and the conservation priorities for primate species. Understanding of the ecological and demographic processes that underlie different types of social systems.

  • Animal Evolution (Marine and Wildlife)Optional
    Module details

    Overview of how diversity in the animal kingdom has evolved. Illustrates the basic principles of evolution as a force to create biodiversity.

  • Ecology in ActionOptional
    Module details

    Study the fundamental principles of population and community ecology, including the impact that factors such as competition, predation and parasitism may have on population size and community structure. Includes a residential field course where students put theory into practice.

  • Biological and Wildlife DocumentationOptional
    Module details

    Introduction to methods of documenting Biology and Wildlife phenomena, including citizen science, museum specimen scanning, wildlife photography and videography, microscopy and disease diagnostics. Practice-oriented module.

Year three 7 modules
  • Zoo and Exhibit Design
    Module details

    Integrate knowledge from previous zoo biology modules into a practical application. Gain understanding of how zoos achieve their stated aims from an economic, practical and scientific view-point and the strategies they use to advance their stated goals.

  • Practical Ecology and Conservation
    Module details

    Equip you with the basic knowledge and skills needed for ecological consultancy. Designed to promote employability and apply academic qualifications to a growing sector. Overview of consultancy and the ecology of survey methods used for protected species and habitats.

    Assessment: Proposing surveys for a client wanting to build on a specified site, in addition to carrying out surveys in practical sessions.

  • Final Year Project and Professional Skills
    Module details

    Dissertation module allows you to develop independent research skills, including both data collection/generation and analysis, while conducting research on a topic in an area relevant to your programme of study. Develop professional skills, with a focus on employability.

  • Animal Cognition and Social Complexity (Wildlife)Optional
    Module details

    Develop an understanding of the cognitive abilities and limitations of nonhuman animals, with a particular focus on nonhuman primates. Develop understanding of the cognitive challenges associated with living in complex social groups.

  • Environmental Geographical Information SystemsOptional
    Module details

    Develop your geographical information systems (GIS) knowledge and ability to use the ArcGIS software and understand the factors controlling the design and implementation of GIS solutions. Learn the theory behind GIS and how GIS can be applied to Wildlife Conservation. Gain hands on experience of using GIS on a species of your choice.

  • Tropical Ecology and ConservationOptional
    Module details

    Based round a 2-week field trip to a tropical biology field station. Learn concepts in, and approaches to, tropical ecology and conservation and biodiversity in tropical ecosystems. Involves an independent research project in the field that will be written up as a scientific report.

  • Bird Biology and ConservationOptional
    Module details

    Gain a critical understanding of avian diversity, form, function and behaviour. Carry out an investigation into avian ecology and adaptation, collect behavioural data from wild birds and analyse acoustic data using specialist software. Learn about the ecological importance of birds and bird conservation.

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

This course combines practical skills and theoretical knowledge in wildlife conservation and zoo biology. You'll usually begin with foundations in cell biology, genetics and evolution, alongside lab technique and data skills. In Year 2, you'll progress to molecular biology, physiology and research methods, building experience through a supervised lab project. By Year 3, you'll specialise in areas such as ecology and conservation, molecular biology, microbiology, biomedical science, biotechnology or neuroscience. You'll engage with current research literature and complete an extended supervised investigation, typically in the field or laboratory, drawing together your developing expertise in the theory and practice of conservation.

Who it's for

This course suits those with a genuine interest in wildlife conservation and zoo-based biology. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent qualifications, with typical UCAS tariffs of 112–127 points among recent entrants. You'll need to be prepared for practical fieldwork and research-focused study across biological sciences.

University & format

The University of Salford is a public university founded in 1896, located in Salford. This BSc (Hons) award is studied full-time over 3 years, taught in English. The degree is recognised by the Royal Society of Biology for associate membership. As a nationally recognised UK degree-awarding body, your qualification meets professional standards in biological sciences and prepares you for work or further study in conservation and related fields.

Student satisfaction

How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.

The teaching on my course
84%
Learning opportunities
79%
Assessment and feedback
73%
Academic Support
79%
Organisation and management
75%
Learning resources
88%
Student voice
78%

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.

Application timelineWhat happens next
  1. 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted

    Your application needs a reference before you can send it.

  2. 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  3. 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

  4. 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline

    18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.

Show 5 later dates
  1. 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens

    Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.

  2. 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers

    Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.

  3. 2027 entryClearing opens

    Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.

  4. 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  5. 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

PlacementPublished placement option

Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.

Open daysRegister for our next Open Day

See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.

Entry & how to get in

Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent95% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 112 - 127 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Professionally accreditedRecognised by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of associate membership
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check the University of Salford's official course page for the current offer.

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

QualificationShare
A-levels or equivalent95%
another higher-education qualification5%
a Baccalaureate5%

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Offer-based entry

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.

Add your grades to see where you land

Your points will drop onto the distribution above, with an honest above / within / below read.

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.

Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesBBBA-level equivalent admitted students held
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write 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.

  3. 3
    Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time

    UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results 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.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask University of Salford whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Homeup to £9,790 / yr
International£18,600 / yr

Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).

Check fees at University of Salford →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 3 years

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.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All University of Salford funding →
No verified named award is shown for this provider yet.

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.

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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.

Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

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

WhenMedianTypical rangeGraduates
15 months after£25,000£23,000 – £26,50035
3 years after£18,500£14,000 – £23,000170
5 years after£22,500£17,000 – £28,000180

Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 35; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.

Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course

90%
in work or further study 15 months on
30%
in highly skilled work or study
90%
continue past their first year
90%
find their work meaningful
55%
say work fits their future plans
  1. 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in biological sciences · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
  4. 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs Biological Sciences nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£25,000
£23,000 – £29,000
After 3 years LEO
£18,500
£20,400 – £28,800
After 5 years LEO
£22,500
£25,075 – £35,400
national rangethis course’s medianaxis £17,000 – £37,000

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.

90 of 100

were in work or further study

15 months after graduation

75% working10% working and studying10% in further study30% in highly skilled work or study

Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 35; 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.

UK occupations graduates enter

Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.

  • Animal care and control servicesSOC 2020 612 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £23,997
  • Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
  • Conservation and environment professionalsSOC 2020 215 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £40,520

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: 45; response rate: 55%. 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.

85%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Biological Sciences courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
60%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
90%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

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.

Where they work

  • NHS & hospital labs
  • Pharma & biotech
  • Universities & institutes
  • Public-health bodies

Is 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

90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £25,000. 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 8.7 out of 10: NSS 79.4% · in work or study 90% · continued 90%.

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

The University of Salford

All students26,030
International19.1%
Aged 25+31.8%

Biological and sport sciences across the UK

Students111,380
Aged 25+16.5%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around Salford University

10 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 7Other Crime 1Other Theft 1Theft From The Person 1

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 Salford from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is £18,600 / 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 Salford’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 Salford and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Entry is offer-based and set by the university. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 112 - 127 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
Set by the University of Salford. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
For Biosciences graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 30% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £25,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
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. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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