Zoology is all about animals, whether you just want to understand them better or work to protect the amazing biodiversity of our planet.
This can’t just be done in a classroom so this course focuses on a blend of laboratory and field-based practical teaching, as we recognise the need to work across disciplinary boundaries to solve global issues.
You can also opt to take a year abroad, studying overseas at one of our partner universities. Gain new skills, build international contacts, and immerse yourself in a different culture and environment.
Joint 2nd in the UK
for Value Added Score
The Guardian University Rankings, 2026
7th in the UK
for Satisfied with Teaching
The Guardian University Rankings, 2026
7th in the UK
for Satisfied with Feedback
The Guardian University Rankings, 2026
Dive in
and train to become a PADI-certified diver1
Field trips
in the UK and overseas2
Award-winning
academics teach on this course 3
Integrated Masters option
Undergraduate and postgraduate study combined
Study abroad
to gain International experience
About this course
Explore all aspects of animal life, from subcellular level to ecosystems, in a course designed for 21st-century scientists.
You’ll control the emphasis of your studies with opportunities to focus on species that interest you across a range of contexts including conservation, ecology, behaviour, evolution, environmental management, physiology, cell biology and genetics – allowing you to build a course to suit your passions and ambitions.
Our teaching takes place in a friendly, supportive environment – and is led by award-winning academics – but our degree is also career-focused with lots of opportunities to learn in the field so that you develop the practical experience to complement your theoretical knowledge.
Recent overseas trips have included Mallorca, Malaysia and Brazil, and you’ll also be spending time on residential field trips in the UK. There's also the option to spend a year studying abroad at one of our partner universities to gain new skills, build international contacts, and immerse yourself in a different culture and environment.
Plus, our programme is built around skills requested by bioscience employers, including genomic technologies, field survey techniques, GIS, and science communication skills. You can even become a PADI-certified Advanced Open Water Diver as part of your degree, putting you one step ahead of the competition when you graduate.1
Start a field trip that never ends
Integrated Masters
Integrated masters degrees are four-year programmes that include a postgraduate year, giving you the chance to deepen your knowledge and graduate with a higher-level qualification - like an MEng, MPhys, MSci - instead of a standard BA, BSc or BEng.
The final year is set at masters level and offers advanced skills, specialist modules, and often a significant research project or industry-focused experience. It’s ideal if you're aiming for a career in research, want to stand out in a competitive job market, or are thinking about progressing to a PhD. You’ll finish your degree more qualified, more confident, and more prepared for what’s next.
Module options
Each year, you’ll study modules worth a certain number of credits, and you need 120 credits per year. Most modules are 20 credits – so you’ll study six modules each year. Some longer modules, such as a dissertation, are worth more. In these cases, you’ll study fewer modules - but the number of credits will always add up to 120. Some modules are compulsory, some are optional, so you can build a course that’s right for you.
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Cells and Organelles
Explore the fascinating inner workings of cells, giving you a foundation in areas such as cell biology, molecular biology and biochemistry.
compulsory
20 credits
Diversity of Life
Through practical workshops, this module introduces you to the diversity of life and the fascinating adaptations that enable organisms to inhabit nearly all conceivable ecological niches.
compulsory
20 credits
Marine Biology: An Introduction
From space, the planet is blue. Marine life has evolved into a myriad of forms living in some of the most extreme habitats on the planet; from great depths to battered coasts. This introduction to marine biology explores the marine environment, the diversity of life within it and how to conserve it.
compulsory
20 credits
Evolution
Why did sex evolve? Why do we die? What is a species? How can evolutionary medicine help us? This module will provide you with an understanding of how life on earth came to be what it is, from genes to species. Without evolution, nothing in biology makes sense.
compulsory
20 credits
Ecology (with optional Dive Training)
Ecology is the study of interactions among living organisms and their environment, and is the basis for nature conservation and understanding human impact on the planet. Gain an understanding of ecological theory, applied ecology, and the collection and analysis of ecological data. You can choose to complete integrated PADI Advanced Open Water training, with an opportunity to develop specialist diving skills relevant to ecological science.
compulsory
20 credits
Molecular Biology and Genetics
DNA holds the secrets to life itself. Find out how key information is stored within the genes and the processes by which cells decode and interpret this genetic information to bring about essential cellular functions. You will discover how genetic information is inherited and what happens when things go wrong. Explore how molecular biology and genetic manipulation techniques allow us to uncover why genetic changes can lead to human disease and can potentially offer opportunities to diagnose and even treat them.
optional
20 credits
Environmental Problems and Solutions
Discover the fundamental principles of environmental systems and the interconnectedness of humankind with the environment.
optional
20 credits
Vertebrate Zoology
This module provides an integrated view of vertebrate biology by showing how changes over time and geography drive morphology, physiology, behaviour, and ecology in different vertebrates. Structure-function relationships are presented to appreciate how different animals evolve similar solutions and adaptations to the same ecological challenge while closely-related animals diversify in response to different environmental challenges.
compulsory
20 credits
Animal Behaviour
We're looking forward to exploring key concepts in Animal Behaviour with you. We will be using an evolutionary approach to understanding animal behaviour. During the course, we will offer you the opportunity to develop your observation skills and apply them to answer questions around animal behaviour using a scientific approach.
Whether you are interested in conservation, ecology, animal welfare or animal husbandry, this module will provide you with a solid base for understanding many disciplines in a range of careers. Overall, we hope you find this module interesting and fun.
compulsory
20 credits
Our facilities
Watchlist
Dr Dom Henri
Course overview
2 mins
Zoology Close-Up
Course Highlight
3 mins
The Gold Standard for Teaching
University life
1 min
Featured academics
We have three Higher Education Bioscience Teacher of the Year winners in our department and a reputation for world-leading research.5
This makes for a wide choice of final year projects, with particular specialisms in the evolution of behaviour and the monitoring, management and conservation of wildlife.
Professor Robert Knell
Professor of Zoology
Rob is a Professor of Zoology and an active researcher with interests in a variety of different aspects of ecology and evolution, mainly to do with either parasites, immune systems, sex or all three.
Dr Jen Bright
Lecturer in Zoology
With a background in palaeontology and geology, Jen became interested in Biological Science because it's "easier to study living dinosaurs (birds) than it is to study extinct ones". Jen is now a lecturer in Zoology able to draw on those experiences.
Field trips
Start a field trip that never ends
Want a course that gets you out of the classroom? You’re in the right place. Choose Hull and you’ll have the whole of the Yorkshire Nature Triangle and some of the best training facilities in the UK on your doorstep.
From observing the seal colonies of Donna Nook to monitoring mine pollution up in Skinningrove, our students learn by doing. Where else could you end up? Our School field trip locations can change year on year, but you can find the latest destinations in our interactive map.
Entry Requirements
What do I need?
When it comes to applying to university, you'll need a certain number of UCAS points. Different qualifications and grades are worth a different amount of points. For this course, you will typically need 128 UCAS points, but we review every application on its own merits.
At least 80 points must come from A levels, BTEC, or other equivalent qualifications.
We consider experience and qualifications from the UK and worldwide which may not exactly match the combinations above.
It's not just about the grades - we'll look at your whole application. We want to know what makes you tick, and about your previous experience.
Worried about the entry requirements for your course? Learn more about our Contextual Offers and Foundation Year options.
Have questions? Our Admissions Team will be happy to help.
Typical offer
128 UCAS points
A levels
ABB
BTEC
DDM
Fees & Funding
How much is it?
Tuition fees for 2027 entry have not been confirmed. Please use 2026-27 information as a guide.
For UK students, our standard course fee is £9,790 per year. Keep in mind that some courses are longer - for example, spending your third year abroad will make your degree four years in total.
If you choose to study a foundation year as part of your course, the fee is £9,790.
Planning a year abroad? This costs £1,465 for UK students.
How do I pay for it?
You can take out a tuition fee loan to cover the full cost of your course. Once you’ve successfully applied for this, you don’t need to do anything else – the money is sent straight to us.
You can also take out a maintenance loan of up to £10,544 a year to cover your living costs, depending on your household income.
Remember, you won’t start paying your loans back until you’ve left university and earn more than £25,000 per year.
See our full fees and funding information for more details and to find out what support we can offer.
Standard Tuition Fee
£9,790 / year
The amount you pay may increase each year, in line with inflation - but capped to the Retail Price Index.
Future prospects
Our graduates go on to a wide-range of careers including professional biologists, laboratory officers, environmental consultants and microbiologists working for employers such as Reckitt, the Environment Agency, Natural England, wildlife trusts and conservation agencies.
Many of our students also go into postgraduate study, including enrolling onto a range of our taught Masters programmes, research Masters programmes, or even PhDs.
Learn more about BSc Zoology
Become part of the next generation of futuremakers
Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.
The standard way to apply is through UCAS. This will give you the chance to showcase your skills, qualities and passion for the subject, as well as providing us with your academic qualifications.
Not ready to apply yet?
Visit our next Open Day, and see all that the University of Hull has to offer. Talk to our lecturers about your subject, find out what university is really like from our current students, and take a tour of our beautiful campus and amazing facilities.
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Module options include PADI-certified Advanced Open Water Diver training (extra fee may be payable).
Most overseas trips run in the summer between the second and third year. There is an extra charge but the trips are subsidised. Destinations listed are currently included in our list of field trip opportunities but may be subject to change.
Royal Society of Biology’s 'Higher Education Bioscience Teacher of the Year Award
All modules on this course page are subject to availability and this list may change at any time. All field trips on this course page are indicative and locations may change at any time.