MSci Animal Behaviour
About this course
MSci in Animal Behaviour, a zoology degree centred on the study of wild, domestic, and captive animals. Core topics include Statistics, Research Methods, Fieldwork, Environmental Analysis, and Human Behaviour. The course provides extensive fieldwork opportunities in the UK and international locations, and concludes with a specialised research project aligned with leading academic research groups. The first year introduces foundational subjects through compulsory modules such as Ecology and Conservation, Animal Diversity, and Evolution and Genetics, alongside optional choices like Life Processes. The second year advances data analysis and practical skills with compulsory modules including Analysis of Biological Data, Animal Behaviour, Scotland Field Course, and Scillies St Agnes Field Course, while offering optional modules such as Population and Community Ecology and Marine Ecology. The third year incorporates advanced investigative work through compulsory modules like Research Project and Literature Review in Evolution and Ecology, alongside specialized field courses such as Alpine Ecology Field Course and Tropical Biodiversity and Conservation: Costa Rica Field Course. Optional modules in the final stages allow students to explore topics including Living in Groups, Sensory Ecology, and Primate Biology and Conservation.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: ABB. Required subjects: B in a science subject*. *Accepted science subjects: Biology/Human Biology; Chemistry; Computing; Design and Technology; Economics; Electronics; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Geography; Geology; Life and Health Sciences (Double Award only); Maths/Pure Maths/Further Maths/Statistics; Marine Science; Nutrition and Food Science; Physical Education; Physics; Psychology; Science (applied). IB: 32/655.
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What students say
Based on about 35 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 87%
- Learning opportunities: 76%
- Assessment and feedback: 76%
- Academic support: 87%
- Organisation and management: 88%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 85%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 65 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 89%
- Left higher education: 11%
What graduates do next
Based on about 24 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 15%
Most common jobs
- Conservation and environment professionals: 25%
- Animal care and control services: 10%
- Natural and social science professionals: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 65%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 40%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 125 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- West Midlands: 6%
- East of England: 17%
- London: 7%
- South East: 24%
- South West: 33%
- Wales: 2%
- Scotland: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 75 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 97%
- Baccalaureate: 3%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Ecology and Conservation
- Animal Diversity
- Evolution and Genetics
- Life Processes
- Analysis of Biological Data
- Animal Behaviour
- Scotland Field Course
- Biosciences Penryn Virtual Field Course
- Scillies St Agnes Field Course
- Scillies St Mary's Field Course
- Population and Community Ecology
- Evolutionary Ecology
- Wildlife Disease
- Conservation Science
- Marine Ecology
- Wildlife Exploitation
- Adaptations to Life on Earth
- Biogeography
- Research Project
- Literature Review in Evolution and Ecology
- Tropical Biodiversity and Conservation: Costa Rica Field Course
- Alpine Ecology Field Course
- Global Research Skills Virtual Field Course
- Ecology, Behaviour and Conservation in Wild Places: The Forests and Oceans of Yukon and Alaska
- European Wildlife Conservation Field Course in the Pyrenees
- Marine Ecology and Evolutionary Conservation in Corsica
- Oceans and Coasts of the Azores Field Course
- Ecology, behaviour and human-wildlife conflict in Northern Spain field course
- Living in Groups
- Sensory Ecology
- Science in Society
- Animal Life Histories
- Ecological Responses to Climate Change
- Evolutionary Biology of Health and Disease
- Animal Migration
- Animal Cognition
- Primate Biology and Conservation
- Major Transitions in Evolutionary History
- The Genome: Applications, Evolution and Ecology
- Evolution and Human Behaviour
- Living with Environmental Change
- Professional Development Experience
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MSci Animal Behaviour at University of Exeter earn?
The median salary is £26,500 after 15 months, £20,000 after 3 years, £25,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,000 and £30,500. The £25,000 median after five years is £500 more than the UK median for Zoology.
What do graduates of MSci Animal Behaviour at University of Exeter do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MSci Animal Behaviour at University of Exeter?
87% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MSci Animal Behaviour at University of Exeter?
The typical offer is ABB at A level. The average entrant had 148 UCAS points.
How many students continue on MSci Animal Behaviour at University of Exeter?
89% of students continued into their second year, and 11% left higher education.