Zoology MBiol Honours

Course overview

This Zoology MBiol Honours degree focuses on developing your scientific knowledge and provides a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of zoology. This ensures you graduate prepared for a role in this varied field.

Through laboratory and field-based teaching, you'll learn and perfect the skills required to succeed in zoology. In your fourth year you'll work alongside our active research staff to delve deeper into more advanced topics.

Our zoology degree shares its first-year programme with other biology degrees in the School and ensures you gain a thorough understanding across a range of topics. You'll select from modules such as: ecology and conservation, genetics and evolution, diversity of life: form and function.

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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

The first year of this degree is shared with other biology degrees in the School.  You can transfer to one of our other Biology degrees before the second year should your interests change (subject to achieving the appropriate grades).

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Genetics and Evolution	20
Diversity of Life: Form and Function	20
Ecology and Conservation	20
Cells and Biomolecules	20
Academic and Professional Skills for the Biosciences	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Crop Pests	10
Animal Health	10
Introduction to Animal Physiology	10
Natural Science Research Impact	10
UK Wildlife	10
Introduction to Scientific Computing for Chemists	10
The Marine Environment	20
Marine Microbiology and Primary Producers	20

With approval from the Degree Programme Director, an alternative optional module to those listed above may be selected.

Your study of animals becomes specialised, with topics such as: animal function (physiology and development); animal behaviour and vertebrate biology. Optional modules are also available in more specialised topics

You'll also take a field course on the identification of insects and birds.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Field Identification Skills	10
Experimental Design and Statistics	10
Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation	20
Animal Function (Physiology and Development)	20

You must also take one or both of the following modules (shown in the optional list below):

• NES2310 Insect Biology and Origins (20 credits)

AND/OR

• NES2314 Vertebrate Biology (20 credits)

Optional Modules	Credits
Career Development for second year students	20
Animal Parasitology	10
Qualitative Research Methods	10
Sustainable Solutions	10
Animal Behaviour	10
Pollution of Air, Water & Soil	10
Evolutionary Biology	20
Insect Biology and Origins	20
Marine Vertebrate Biology and Ecology	20
Field-based Ecology: designing experiments, and residential field course	20
Vertebrate Biology	20
Biological Psychology: Sex, Drugs, Rhythms and Blues	10

With approval from the Degree Programme Director, an alternative optional module to those listed above may be selected.

You study advanced specialist topics, many of which are linked to our research expertise. To enhance your skills you will have the opportunity to select a module that focuses on the development of ideas for business.

You will further develop your fieldwork skills through field courses.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Physiological Zoology	20
Current Zoology	20
Research Project	40

You must also take one or both of the following compulsory modules (shown in the optional list below):

• NES3301 Biodiversity Science and Management (20 credits)

AND/OR

• NES3302 Current Research in Ecology (20 credits)

Optional Modules	Credits
Advanced Career Development module	20
Animal Welfare and Behaviour	20
Biodiversity Science and Management	20
Current Research in Ecology	20
Biological Modelling	20
Africa Field Course: Conservation and Ecology	20
Advanced Marine Research Topics 2	20

You build on the knowledge and skills you developed in the first three years, working alongside our research-active staff to explore advanced topics in zoology. You will undertake a research project working with an active research group.

Modules

Compulsory modules

You must take one of the following compulsory modules (shown in the optional list below):

• NES8300 Research Project (60 credits)

OR

• NES8301 Research Project (60 credits)

Modules

Optional Modules	Credits
Archaeology of Animal Bones	20
The Biological Study of Behaviour	20
Animal Welfare and Applied Animal Behaviour	20
Quantitative Ecological Research Methods	20
Problem Solving through Innovation PG	10
Research Project	60
Research Project	60
Invasive Species	10
Policy and Licensing	10
Geographical Information systems and Remote Sensing	20
Critical Thinking and Analysis for Evidence-Based Environmental Science	20
Environmental Impact Assessment	10

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They are based on the modules chosen by our students in 2022-23.

Teaching time is made up of:

• scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present.
• structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

You'll be taught via a combination of methods, including:

• lectures
• lab work
• field work
• seminars
• tutor group sessions

Our field and lab based modules provide you with a firm basis to build practical experiences that enhance the scientific skills expected of a biology graduate.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Assessments

• 

  Assignments – written or fieldwork

• 

  Case studies

• 

  Coursework

• 

  Dissertation or research project

• 

  Essays

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Group work

• 

  Interviews

• 

  Portfolio submission

• 

  Practical sessions

• 

  Presentations

• 

  Projects

• 

  Reports

• 

  Seminar tasks/exercises

Skills and experience

Research skills

In your third and fourth year, you will undertake a research project, which will help you develop your specialist research skills. You'll be confident in completing an individual investigation and reporting your findings and interpretations to other.

Practical skills

Our Zoology MBiol Honours degree is designed to ensure you gain lots of practical experience, through lab-based classes and the opportunity to take part in a variety of field courses.

You'll have the chance to undertake a mammal surveying skills field course in the UK or Africa. There will also be the opportunity for numerous day excursions.

Opportunities

Study abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

You can choose to spend up to a year studying at a partner institution overseas.

If you choose to study abroad, it will extend your degree by a year. 

Find out more about study abroad

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 3 and 4.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements

Facilities and environment

Facilities

As a Biology and Zoology student, you'll be based in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at our city-centre campus.

During your studies, you'll have access to two commercial farms near Newcastle. These are used as demonstration facilities as well as a field station with glasshouse and dedicated teaching facilities.

You'll have the opportunity to access purpose-built laboratories. You can also visit the Great North Museum, where there's a range of important biological collections. We also have our controlled-environment aquaria situated in the Ridley 2 Building.

Support

To support you in your studies, all new students entering year 1 or year 2 will receive a tablet. You can download the online learning resources you'll need for your course (helping us to make our campus more sustainable).

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

Your future

Our zoology degree equips you with a wide range of skills to ensure you have many career opportunities available to you. 

92% of zoology graduates were in work or further study within six months of completing this degree*, and many have found work in commercial or medical laboratory positions, conservation work, animal care as well as choosing to study in more specialist areas such as:

• biomedical science
• conservation
• animal behaviour
• environmental consultancy

*Destinations of (undergraduate, UK and EU) Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2016/17

Make a difference

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Careers support

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Qualification: MBiol Honours
Home students full time 4 years	Tuition fees (per year) 9250
International students full time 4 years	Tuition fees (per year) 26400

Home Fee Students

The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students is set by the UK government.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

International Fee Students

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

• different tuition fees
• additional costs

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages