BSc Zoology (Placement Year)
About this course
BSc Hons in Zoology (Placement Year), a zoology degree focusing on animal biology, ecology, and the natural world. Core topics include Programming, Data Analysis, Statistics, Laboratory Techniques, Research Methods, Fieldwork, Psychological Assessment, Environmental Analysis, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Human Behaviour. Students complete an integrated professional placement year in industry during the third year, and undertake an independent dissertation research project in the final year. The first year establishes foundational knowledge through compulsory modules such as Biodiversity and Global Change, Ecology Field and Data Skills, Evolutionary Biology, and Foundation Skills for LEC, alongside optional choices. The second year advances core scientific competence via Biological Research Design and Delivery, Ecology Field Skills, Evolution, and Vertebrate Biology, complemented by further optional subjects. In the third year, students undertake a full-time professional placement in a graduate-level role. The final year centres on an independent Dissertation, alongside optional modules covering specialist areas like Animal Behaviour, Bioinformatics, Coral Reef Ecology, and Tropical Ecology and Conservation Field Course.
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. This should include two science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology. IB: 32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects including two HL science subjects at grade 6
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 67%: 20 offers from 30 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 16 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 82%
- Learning opportunities: 76%
- Assessment and feedback: 77%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 79%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 89%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 52 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 54%
- Working and studying: 8%
- Further study: 18%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Natural and social science professionals: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 15%
- Conservation and environment professionals: 15%
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 90 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 4%
- North West: 47%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 8%
- East Midlands: 7%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 13%
- South East: 4%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 3%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Biodiversity and Global Change
- Ecology Field and Data Skills
- Evolutionary Biology
- Foundation Skills for LEC
- Ecology
- Genetics and Biotechnology
- Microbes, Pathogens and Immunity
- Molecules to Cells
- Biological Research Design and Delivery
- Ecology Field Skills
- Evolution
- Vertebrate Biology
- Biochemistry of Cellular Metabolism
- Cell and Developmental Biology
- Ecology and Conservation
- Environmental Data Analysis and Visualisation
- Fundamentals of Neuroscience
- Geographical Data Science
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Molecular Genetics
- Placement
- Dissertation
- Advanced Neuroscience - Circuits and Systems
- Animal Behaviour
- Bioinformatics
- Biology of Ageing
- Cell Signalling in Health and Disease
- Coral Reef Ecology
- Interdisciplinary Conservation Science
- Marine Ecology Field Course
- Spatial Data Analysis
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Teaching, Outreach and Public Engagement
- Tropical Ecology and Conservation Field Course
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Zoology (Placement Year) at Lancaster University earn?
The median salary is £28,500 after 15 months, £24,000 after 3 years, £31,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,000 and £40,000. The £31,000 median after five years is £6,500 more than the UK median for Zoology.
What do graduates of BSc Zoology (Placement Year) at Lancaster University do next?
79% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Zoology (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
82% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Zoology (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 146 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BSc Zoology (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
67% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 20 offers from 30 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BSc Zoology (Placement Year) at Lancaster University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory placement year.
How many students continue on BSc Zoology (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.