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Environmental conservation is now top of government agendas around the world which means that we now require a new generation of trained professional scientists with a sound zoological knowledge and an appreciation of the issues involved in local and global conservation.

This Zoology with Conservation MZool degree course is an extended undergraduate programme which allows students to graduate either with BSc (Hons) at the end of the third year or with a Master at the end of the fourth year. If at the end of Year 2 a sufficient standard has been achieved, then progression onto the Masters year will be permitted following completion of Year 3. The fourth year offers a unique opportunity to conduct an extended research project either in the laboratory or in the field.

We will teach you all about traditional zoology, including taxonomy, morphology, physiology and cell biology with an emphasis upon animal ecology (biodiversity, ecology, behaviour and evolution). You will also take modules that will give you an understanding of the need for environmental conservation and how conservation objectives can be achieved. This degree establishes links between the academic learning environment and external environmental and conservation organisations in the form of project work and practical management plans.

You will acquire a broad theoretical understanding of zoology and conservation and you will also gain the associated practical skills. Along with a comprehensive range of transferable skills, this degree will equip you for a career in conservation.

We have always been one of the main UK universities for ecology and, because we are located next to Snowdonia National Park which is the perfect setting for this degree course. You will benefit from being close to an exceptional range of terrestrial, marine and freshwater habitats where field work. Field courses are an integral part of this degree.

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ is also the home of the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), and Natural Resources Wales as well as the divisional offices of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), all of which have close links to the University and staff associated with this course. These links feed directly into our teaching.

Why choose Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ for this course? ÌýÌý Ìý

• TV presenter Steve Backshall is now part of our teaching team.
• Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ is the ideal place to study all aspects of wildlife and conservation – with a huge range of habitats on our doorstep.
• Our extensive additional teaching facilities include a natural history museum, freshwater and marine aquaria, a farm and a botanic garden.

Additional Course Options

On this course you are required to take 120 credits each year made up of lectures, practicals, and interactive exercises, as well as field trips and tutorials in years 1 and 2. If at the end of Year 2 you have achieved a sufficient standard, then you will be invited to progress onto the Masters year (MZool) following completion of Year 3.

The final year will include a research project, which is supervised by a member of staff on a relevant subject that interests you. Modules become more specialised as the degree progresses and the number of compulsory modules varies between years. Assessment is by a mixture of formal examination and continuous assessment. Welsh medium modules are also available.

Modules for the current academic year

Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Zoology with Conservation MZool Modules page.

Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.

General University Costs

Home (UK) students

• The cost of a full-time undergraduate course is £9,250 per year (2025/26).
• The fee for all integrated study abroad years is Ìý£1,385 (2025/26).
• The fee for an integrated year in industry as part of a sandwich programme is £1,850 (2025/26).

More information on fees and finance for Home (UK) students.

International (including EU) students

• International Student Tuition Fees
• International Student Living Costs and Scholarships

Additional Costs
There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:

• If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
• If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for additional guest tickets (c.£12 each).

Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:

1. Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
2. Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
3. Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.

General University Requirements

To study for a degree, you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see .

We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.

All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.

As part of the University’s policy, we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.

We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more information about studying as a mature student, see our Studying at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ section of the website.

EU and International Students' Entry Requirements

For detailed guidance on the entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.

Conservation zoologists work mostly in government organisations (local councils, CCW, CEH and EA) or in non-governmental organisations (eg National Trust, RSPB). Ranges of career paths are available within these organisations, from wildlife monitoring and assessment to the practical implementation of conservation management plans.

Opportunities at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ

The University’s Careers and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions.Ìý

Internships

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ runs a paid internship scheme within the university’s academic and service departments.

Student Volunteering

Volunteering widens your experience and improves your employability. Find out more about volunteering on the .

A 'with Foundation Year' option is available for this course. Apply forÌýZoology (with Foundation Year).