Study Zoology: All you need to know (2024)

Author: Dee Lawlor — Last update: 8 November 2023

Zoology is the branch of Biology dedicated to all aspects of animal life – from anatomy and physiology, to evolution and husbandry. It is a subject for those who love animals and those who want to understand how the natural world works. As our awareness of environmental issues grows, and as our governments shift their priorities towards protecting and conserving the environment and wildlife, so will Zoology be an increasingly worthwhile subject to study.

🦘 What is Zoology?

Zoology is the branch of Biology that studies the animal kingdom. In a Zoology degree, you will learn about animal life from every point of view – including (but not limited to) microbiology, genetics, evolution, conservation, biodiversity, behaviour, physiology, ecosystems, and husbandry.

Zoology is often misunderstood as a subject. When you tell people that you are studying Zoology, many people will respond with “so you’re going to work in a zoo?”. And yes, if that is your chosen career path. But you are just as likely to be found running a natural history museum, managing land for conservation, digging up a woolly mammoth, or working in a lab using genetics to save a species from extinction.

🌍 Where can I study Zoology?

Zoology as a stand-alone degree programme exists at a number of universities in Europe, but it is very rare. Especially at the undergraduate level it is much more common to study e.g. Biology or Life Sciences, and cover Zoology via specific modules as part of the programme.

At the postgraduate level, you will also often find specialised subjects such as Evolutionary Biology. Be sure to look not only for programmes with “Zoology” in the name, but cast your net a bit wider, especially if you want to study in English in a non-English speaking country.

Universities that offer Bachelors in Zoology, or closely related subjects:

University of Kent (UK)

Find Bachelors in Zoology

Universities that offer Masters in Zoology, or closely related subjects:

Stockholm University (Sweden)
University of Helsinki (Finland)

Find Masters in Zoology

Photo by Diego Madrigal

🦒 What can I expect to study in a Zoology Bachelor’s programme?

As with most science courses, in a Zoology Bachelors, you will start broad and narrow down your speciality as you go. In the first year, you can expect to study general biology (including microbiology) and chemistry, as well as some broad topics such as ecology and environmental science.

After the first year you will study topics such as (but not limited to):

Genetics, embryology
Evolution, paleobiology
Epigenetics, environmental physiology
Animal husbandry, behaviour, enrichment
Conservation, ecology, biodiversity
Freshwater biology, marine biology
Entomology, ornithology, herpetology, parasitology
Ethics, experiment and research skills, data handling

A Zoology BSc programme will typically last 3 to 4 years. Expect a mix of classroom learning, laboratory work and field work. Entry requirements will differ depending on the university, but you can expect to need passing grades in biology, maths, and a second science such as geography or chemistry.

🐒 What can I expect to study in a Zoology Master’s programme?

At the Master’s level you get the chance to specialise in a certain area of Zoology. Usually, your subject choice will align with courses that you chose during your Bachelor’s. For example, a Master’s programme on conservation or evolution will require you to have studied genetics throughout your undergrad.

Postgraduate courses are usually one or two years long. Like at the undergraduate level, they usually consist of a mix of classroom, laboratory, and field work.

Think carefully about the career you want to pursue: Your Masters will play an important role in it. If you plan to stay in academia, with a PhD as the next step, your Masters should also align with the field that you want to focus your research on.

Admission requirements for a Zoology Master can vary. UK universities usually ask for an upper second-class Bachelor’s degree (or “2.1”) to qualify. Also, if it is a highly specialised programme, you may have to have a certain number of credit points in that specific field.

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🐆 What should I know about doing a PhD in Zoology?

A PhD is the highest academic degree you can achieve, and it will require significant independent research work. If you are passionate about Zoology, and especially if you plan to pursue a career in academia, doing a PhD is something you should consider.

As in other sciences, a Zoology PhD will usually last three to four years. Depending on your research project and your funding, it may also take longer to finish. Don’t underestimate this effort - it’s a very challenging undertaking!

To be accepted as a doctorate student, most universities will require you to have an MSc in the field that you plan to focus on. Some universities may admit you with only a BSc if you have received very good grades.

🏆 The best universities for Zoology in 2024

Many students like to use rankings to guide them when choosing a university. However, since Zoology as a separate degree programme is offered only by few institutions, don’t make rankings your main decision driver.

And because Zoology courses are relatively rare, there is also no specific ranking for them. The closest you can get is the Shanghai Subject Rankings for Biological Sciences and for Veterinary Sciences, both of which are closely related subject areas.

Here is a selection of high-ranking European universities in those league tables:

In Belgium: KU Leuven; University of Antwerp
In Finland: University of Helsinki; Tampere University
In Germany: LMU Munich
In the Netherlands: ; Radboud University
In Sweden: Chalmers University of Technology; Uppsala University
In the United Kingdom: University of Cambridge; Royal Veterinary College; University of Edinburgh

💭 How to pick the right university for Zoology?

Universities all have their unique strengths. If you already know what career path you want to pursue after graduating from your Zoology programme, try to pick a university that has connections to that.

For example, if you want a career working in a natural history museum, then find universities that work closely with natural history museums or that have their own museum. If you want a career in animal husbandry, try to choose a university where there is a zoo, safari park or similar nearby.

Your university will have connections that can help you get established. If you want to stay in academia, look at the postgraduate school and see what kinds of research the institution is known for, and what topics the current PhD students are working on.

🤔 How is studying Zoology different from Biology?

Biology is the umbrella term for the scientific study of all living things. This includes animals, but also plants, fungi, and micro-organisms.

Zoology is a branch of Biology, and is focused on animal life. This will include some microbiology (single-celled organisms) but is more focused on multi-cellular life (such as Daphnia and plankton), invertebrates (insects, molluscs, etc.), and fauna (birds, reptiles, mammals, etc.).

Zoology curricula also include some botany, but this will be in the context of animals. For example, how certain species of plants and animals interact with each other.

👀 How is studying Zoology different from Animal Sciences?

Zoology and Animal Sciences are closely related subjects, but focus on different things: While Zoology is concerned with all forms of animal life, Animal Sciences focuses on domesticated animals, specifically farm animals and pets. Animal Science is concerned with husbandry, breeding, health and well-being of such animals; and the discipline rather belongs to the Agriculture field, whereas Zoology is commonly classified as a Natural Science.

🔎 Top reasons for studying Zoology

Zoology is one of those subjects that you choose because you simply love it. Zoology students are some of the most passionate and energetic science students because they have been waiting for this opportunity their whole lives! Not convinced yet? Here are the main reasons that make Zoology a choice worth considering:

You get to work with or study animals: People who choose to study zoology are nature lovers. If you love animals, a career in this field may be the most rewarding path for you.
You can make a difference in the world: Countless species around the globe are at risk of extinction. Zoologists are on the front line of conservation and work to save those species and their habitats. They are also passionate about teaching others about the animal kingdom and the benefits of protecting the natural world.
You get to travel: Zoology is not just for the animal-lover, it is for the adventurer. You could find yourself in some of the most unique and remote places on Earth to conduct your work.

🐜 Career options for Zoology graduates

There are a diverse range of careers and employers that will be interested in Zoology graduates. More and more, companies and government departments are dedicating resources to environmental causes. And thanks to efforts such as the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 (details), Zoology graduates will be in growing demand as we, as a society, move towards a greener way of life.

What kinds of employers hire Zoology graduates?

Zoologists are needed at any organisation where animals play an important role. Typical employers include, but are not limited to:

Zoos and wildlife parks
NGOs and charities that focus on wildlife
Government agencies and environmental protection agencies
Animal nutrition manufacturers
Museums
Universities and research institutions

Typical job titles and descriptions for Zoology graduates:

Animal husbandry professional: Be an expert in caring for domesticated animals. Ensure their health and enrichment.
Conservation officer: Manage and protect habitats to ensure their future.
Conservation geneticist: Use genetics to determine the health of animal populations and design breeding programmes to ensure the future of a species.
Paleobiologist: Study extinct animals, from the dinosaurs to the woolly mammoth to the thylacine.
Field researcher: Travel the world, exploring the far reaches of habitats to discover and study species in their natural habitat.
Documentary maker: Bring the animal kingdom into people’s homes. Show and teach people about the natural world by producing & filming wildlife documentaries.
Academic: Conduct your own research and teach the next generation of zoologists.
Marine scientist: Specialise in ocean fauna. Protect whales, educate people about the true nature of sharks, or rebuild coral reefs.
Environmental consultant: Perform audits of habitats for their health and wealth and advise on how to protect them.
Environmental educator: Teach young people about nature and how they can protect it.

The requirements for entry level jobs will vary, depending on the position. Other than a good final mark on your degree, your practical experience (work and volunteering) will be very valuable in securing you your first job.

🦅 Does studying Zoology mean I’ll work in a zoo?

“Zoology” has “zoo” right in the name, yet that is just one of many career options for which your degree will qualify you. If you do want to work in a zoo, make sure to tailor your courses towards animal husbandry and behaviour.

However, if you want to go in another direction, pick your university and your elective modules in line with that. If you want to work in conservation, then genetics, biodiversity, and ecology courses will be for you. If you want to be a palaeontologist, focus on anatomy and evolution.

Zoology studies the animal kingdom from multiple different angles, so discuss your career goals with the university and they will help you tailor your course.

💬 What advice do you have for a Zoology student?

Careers working with animals are highly competitive. There can be hundreds of applicants for each available position, and the people who get the jobs tend to stay in them. Therefore, start networking as early as possible. If you know the job that you eventually want, seek out relevant volunteering opportunities and summer jobs. This will not only help you build your experience but also your reputation. The zoological world is small, and a good reputation and strong network will be of huge benefit to you. Volunteering or working with animals involves a range of practical skills, as well as academic knowledge. So, any volunteering or work experience you can get will be very valuable

As in all scientific disciplines, learn good lab skills! Learn to be confident and competent at basic skills such as how to correctly weigh and measure samples, preparing microscope slides, how to record and manage data properly, et cetera. It will make a huge difference to your zoological career. If you want to do field work, learning good “out on the ground” skills such as camping, hiking, and first aid are beneficial. If you want to work in animal husbandry (in a zoo or safari park for example), knowing how to use power tools is oddly useful, as you will want to be able to build habitats and enrichment. Zoology can take you to some remote places, so having a driver’s license is a bonus.

A word of warning about getting a BSc Zoology: The value and content of your degree may be misunderstood. People who are not from a Zoology background do not always know what is included in a typical curriculum. You might have studied every microbiology course available, but the person hiring for the graduate job in the laboratory will just see the word “zoo” and dismiss you as a professional koala cuddler. If you want more options in your science career, consider choosing Biology as your degree subject, and venture into Zoology via elective modules.

📚 What are similar subjects I could study?

Zoology is a diverse field in itself, but perhaps it is not quite the subject you were looking for. If you like some aspects about it, but not some others, there are numerous alternatives to a Zoology degree that also offer a wealth of opportunities:

Animal Sciences: Like Zoology, this subject focuses on animals, but specifically domesticated animals that are used by humans. Typically, Animal Sciences graduates end up working in the Agriculture industry.
Life Sciences: Many universities offer degrees in what they call “Life Sciences”, and this is often a broad term for a variety of Biology-related subjects. Check the curricula to find something that excites you.
Biology: Biology is an incredibly diverse science with many more areas to specialise in.
Marine Biology: Study the habitats and life forms of the ocean.
Ecology: Learn how different organisms interact with each other and their environment.
Environmental Management: Monitor and manage changing in habitats and ensure the protection and optimisation of natural environments.
Veterinary Medicine: Treat and manage all diseases, disorders and ailments that affect animals.

Find study programmes in Zoology

52 Zoology Programmes in Europe

Author: Dee Lawlor

Dee is an expert on all things living and breathing and has spent many years studying and working abroad. She has a BSc in Zoology from the University of Aberdeen (UK) and an MSc in Imaging & Microscopy from University College Dublin (Ireland), as well as a Diploma in Counselling Studies from Dublin Business School. She is the author of “Introduction to Light Microscopy” (Springer).