Why study this course with LJMU?
- Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology
- Optional residential fieldwork (self-funded) at level 5 (possible destination Cairngorms National Park, Scotland) and Level 6 (Doñana National Park, Spain)
- Option to undertake a 4-6 week placement and/or a 12-month sandwich placement in the UK or overseas
- Easy access to local zoos and diverse habitat sites
- Excellent prospects in a range of animal-related careers, including veterinary-related science, animal training, ecological consultancy, animal welfare and conservation
- This degree is available to study following a foundation year
- 18th in the UK for Zoology (Guardian University Guide 2025)
- International Foundation Year course available offering direct progression onto this degree programme - visit LJMU's International Study Centre to find out more
About your course
The professionally-accredited BSc (Hons) Zoology at Liverpool John Moores University offers you exciting opportunities to complete work placements and field trips both in the UK and overseas.
Zoology is the scientific study of animals, both living and extinct. It encompasses all aspects of biology, from biochemistry and cell biology to ecology and behaviour, and examines animals in the context of their evolution and their environment, allowing you to specialise in your own areas of interest via placements, projects and modules in levels 5 and 6.
Practical hands-on experience is an important aspect of the course and we have a wealth of local facilities and fieldwork sites on our doorstep. These include three major zoological collections (Chester Zoo, Knowsley Safari Park and the Blue Planet Aquarium), as well as the diverse habitat sites of the North Wales and Lancashire coasts and inland ecosystems in Snowdonia and the Lake District.
One of the real bonuses of this course is the opportunity for residential fieldwork at Level 4 (core), Level 5 (optional) and Level 6 (optional). At Level 6 this is normally overseas and the possible destination is the Doñana National Park, Spain where you can learn ecological and behavioural field work skills. These are in addition to further extended fieldwork opportunities through work placements of 4-6 weeks and/or a 12-month sandwich placement with a relevant organisation in the UK or overseas.
Find out more about studying BSc (Hons) Zoology
Go on a tour of the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences
Course modules
What you will study on this degree
Please note that your choice of options may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Research Project 1
15 credits
15 credits
Throughout the module you will be encouraged to develop deep learning through participation in debates and seminar discussion, extending your cultural reference points and developing vocational critical analytical skills.
Design and Fabrication
30 credits
30 credits
This module will introduce students to a wide range of practical design and fabrication skills relating to set design and realisation.
In addition to the development of technical skills, students will develop a firm knowledge and understanding of the design and fabrication processes associated with performance, exhibition, installation, and live events.
A collaborative practical project with Level 4 Theatre and Production Technology students will enable students to actively experience the complete production process, from concept to realisation.
Design and Making Skills
30 credits
30 credits
This will be an intense and highly practical module, covering a wide range of design and making skills. It will involve both individual and collaborative work and culminate with a design-led presentation/performance.
The Production Process
30 credits
30 credits
A highly practical and exciting module which allows the designers to work on a LIPA production or productions in the areas of both set and costume realisation.
Design from Text
15 credits
15 credits
This module provides students with the opportunity to develop and apply many of the skills acquired in the modules: Design and Fabrication and Making Skills, through an individual hypothetical design project. Students will design for a given text, for a specific space, in collaboration with a professional theatre director.
The module aims to enable students to develop further their understanding, knowledge and skills in set design, costume design, technical drawing, and lighting design in a production context.
Core modules
Research Project 2
15 credits
15 credits
This module will build on further broadening and deepening your awareness of cultural context by understanding how the performing arts are influenced by the social and political environment in which they operate. Through a series of lectures, masterclasses, field visits and research study you will develop an appreciation of key theatre practitioners, directions, genres and national and local contemporary cultural, social and political issues in related areas of study. This aims to place you, as a practitioner, at the centre of this hub of information, to enhance your professional role and methods of practice within the Performance Industry.
Industry Placement
15 credits
15 credits
The Industry Placement module is an exciting and important opportunity to gain industry experience in your chosen field of work, while developing your employability and increasing your professional network. Through a series of lectures and tutorials with your module leader you will explore researching suitable placements that will allow you to independently contact and complete a minimum of two full weeks with an organisation or company involved in the performance, design, and production industries. This will provide you with a deeper understanding of industry practices within your discipline, increase your curriculum vitae experience and allow you to reflect upon your career aspirations.
Hypothetical Design Project
30 credits
30 credits
This module will offer an opportunity to create and present ideas for two hypothetical projects. One will be text based in conjunction with a director and one will be independent. With both, there will be an emphasis on the development and presentation of innovative ideas.
The Assistant Designer
30 credits
30 credits
This is an opportunity to step up into the role of Assistant Designer and follow through an entire LIPA production from concept to get-out.
Optional modules
Making and Design Practice A
30 credits
30 credits
This module will provide students with an opportunity to take part in an exciting practical project through which to develop and refine design and making skills acquired at Level 4, experimenting with new modes of working and introducing areas of specialist study.
Projects will vary and be designed to suit the cohorts dynamics, or needs of the individual, but will provide an opportunity to study at least one of the following areas of performance design: Costume Construction/Deconstruction, Costume Props, Live Art, Puppetry and Scenic Art.
Making and Design Practice B
30 credits
30 credits
This module will provide students with an opportunity to take part in an exciting practical project through which to develop and refine design and making skills acquired at Level 4, experimenting with new modes of working and introducing areas of specialist study.
Projects will vary and be designed to suit the cohorts dynamics, or needs of the individual, but will provide an opportunity to study at least one of the following areas of performance design: Costume Construction/Deconstruction, Costume Props, Live Art, Puppetry and Scenic Art.
Core modules
The Designer
60 credits
60 credits
In this module you will undertake at least two senior production roles on a LIPA public season production, an external production or an individual project which reflects your own career aspirations. This enables you to apply your specialist skills to realise a production or project in full, strengthening your self-management skills and working practices.
Portfolio and Professional Career
30 credits
30 credits
This module will allow you to consider your personal and professional skills and strengths and prepare you for your future career after graduation. You will cover management and financial skills, such as tax self-assessment, indemnity and public liability insurances, unions and organisations, and you will identify and complete a professional development activity to support your personal career plan. The module will culminate with the creation of a professional portfolio.
Research Informed Practice
30 credits
30 credits
This contextual module builds upon research projects at Levels 4 and 5 and offers students the opportunity to undertake a piece of research incorporating practical work. This area of practice led research can be of the students choosing, relevant to their professional aspirations and interests.
Your Learning Experience
Excellent facilities and learning resources
We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies.
Teaching is mostly via lectures, in-person laboratory practicals and field trips. Additionally, small tutorial sessions provide a forum for discussing course material more informally. You will also have progress review meetings with your personal tutor. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.
Formal teaching accounts for approximately 14-18 hours of your study time each week; you will be expected to spend the rest of your time in private study.
Work-related Learning
As part of your work-related learning, you have the opportunity to undertake a short (4-6 week) work-based placement or a 12-month placement with a relevant organisation in the UK or abroad. This work experience will not only give you a chance to put into practice what you have learnt in the first two years, it will also help you develop your personal skills, give you a years break from formal study and add real value to your CV. Many students who undertake placements have gone on to work for the same organisation or have gained employment through the contacts made on their placement, once they have graduated.
Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support
Throughout your course you will have the support of a personal tutor who will be available to discuss course-related matters in both tutorial sessions and one-to-one progress review meetings. These meetings are to monitor your performance and identify action plans for improvement. A dedicated supervisor will also provide support during your research project and/or work-based learning.
The school is fully committed to promoting a learning environment that supports a culture of equality, diversity and inclusivity (EDI) and has an Enabling (Disability) Coordinator, an EDI Coordinator and a School EDI Working Group. Personal Tutors also play a vital role in promoting awareness of support services for students.
Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.
All students perform differently depending on how they are assessed, which is why we use a combination of assessment methods. Exams may therefore include a range of question types e.g. multiple choice, short answer, interpretative, problem-based learning and essay. Coursework assessment could be in the form of online phase tests, fieldwork/practical reports, data handling, oral presentations, poster presentations, group discussions, essays or the evaluation of your practical skills. Most are based on individual assignments though some require group work.
Feedback on coursework assessments is normally provided within three weeks of submission and may be via Canvas, face-to-face or as written comments. We believe that constructive feedback is vital in helping you identify your strengths as well as the areas where you may need to put in more work.
Where you will study
You will study at the Byrom Street site in the university's City Campus in the heart of Liverpool. You will have access to first class teaching facilities, laboratories and study areas. The Avril Robarts library is within easy walking distance and here you'll find all the information you need to support your studies.
Course tutors
Penny studied BSc (Hons) Biology and completed a PhD in the structure and complexity of bird song: an evaluation of the Territorial Alliance Hypothesis. She is a member of the Association of the Study of Animal Behaviour and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Her interests cover all aspects of behavioural ecology wild, captive and domesticated animals, with a particular interest in behaviour, behaviour modification and the welfare of dogs, cats and horses.
I find overseeing the progress of students and offering the necessary support and advice very rewarding. When graduates keep in touch to tell us about their exciting jobs working with animals it makes me feel proud to have played a part in their future career
I have just completed the Zoology degree and have been successful in securing a 12 month internship at Chester Zoo with the Birds Team! I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in now, nor would I have had the confidence to even apply for the internship, if it wasn’t for my time at LJMU. The support I have received from my lecturers and mentors has enabled me to follow my passion and ultimately achieve my dream of working with animals! I will be forever grateful for the unconditional support and guidance given to me.
Career paths
You will enjoy varied career opportunities both in the UK and overseas with a BSc (Hons) in Zoology.
Some of our students continue on to postgraduate research once they have graduated, while others enter careers as diverse as clinical and veterinary science, animal physiotherapy, animal training, ecological consultancy, animal welfare and conservation or wildlife education. Others choose to go into teaching or lecturing.
Graduates have secured full-time employment in the following roles (some after further study/training):
- Planning and Biodiversity Advisor, Natural England
- Senior Ecologist, United Utilities
- Research and Conservation Officer, Knowsley Safari Park
- Wildlife Consultant, SafeSky
- Team Manager (elephants), Chester Zoo
- Estate Manager, RSPB
- Inspector/Animal Welfare Officer/Rehoming Officer, RSPCA
- Animal Health Officer, Heathrow Animal Reception Centre
- Training Instructor, Dogs for Good
- Lead Conservation Scientist (Behaviour and Welfare), Chester Zoo
- Community Outreach Coordinator (Conservation), Auckland
- Research Assistant, Wellcome Trust, Sanger Institute
- Regulatory Scientist, Health and Safety Executive
- Virology and Stability analyst, AstraZeneca
- Scientist, BAE Systems
- Natural History Documentary Producer/Director, National Geographic
- Research Fellow (Sea Mammal Research Unit), University of St Andrews
- Veterinary Surgeon
- Veterinary Physiotherapist
- Pathology Operations Manager, Medical Research Council
- Project Management, Office for National Statistics
Others have opted for postgraduate study (PGCE, MSc, MPhil, PhD or other competitive undergraduate courses, such as medicine, veterinary science), have set up their own animal-related business or taken non-animal related graduate employment.
Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service
A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.
Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website.
Tuition fees and funding
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus Wi-Fi.
Financial Support
The University offers a range of scholarships to support students through their studies. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist funding pages, including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
Additional Costs
In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
- Accommodation
- Travel costs including those for placements, visas and travel for studying abroad and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
- Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in accordance with any changes to the maximum allowable fees set by the UK Parliament. In the event of such a change, any fee increase will be subject to a maximum cap of 10% of the total course cost as originally stated at the time of your offer.
Practical and field activities underpin all programmes in the School. PPE is provided for all necessary practical work. There are no costs for day field trips for core and optional modules. Residential field trips associated with the Level 4 core module include all travel and accommodation costs. Any residential field trips for optional modules will have costs involved. Locations may be subject to change and also subject to national and international travel restrictions.
A DBS check is not required for your application, however a DBS may be required for modules where there is a work based learning placement option. Work based learning placements that do not require a DBS check are available.
Entry requirements
Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
Grades/points required from qualifications:
Work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth by visiting the UCAS Tariff Calculator.
Qualification requirements
A levels
We are committed to accepting students on to this course who have the potential to succeed as practitioners and who will gain sustained work in the performing arts and entertainment industries. With this in mind we wish to identify through applications and interview or audition key attributes and achievements.
The key attributes that we seek to identify are: • Knowledge, ability and experience of theatre and performance design • Commitment to the performing arts • Ability to work effectively with others • Broad interest and engagement • Self-awareness • Spirit of enterprise.
The minimum educational standard that we are looking for is: GCSEs We normally require a minimum of five GCSEs grade C. These should include Maths and English. Plus a minimum of 64 UCAS tariff points (2017 tariff) or 160 UCAS tariff points (2016 tariff).
We accept all types of equivalent qualifications, the following are the most common UK qualifications that people tend to apply to us with: A/AS Level This should be from two A Levels (i.e. grades C, C), excluding General Studies. Points from AS and Key Skills are not counted.
BTECs
Extended Diploma (i.e. Merit, Merit, Pass profile) BTEC Diploma (i.e. Merit, Merit). Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications such as an A Level, in which case total needs to be 64 (2017 UCAS tariff points) or 160 (2016 UCAS tariff points) across both qualifications. 90 Credit Diploma (Distinction, Merit). Acceptable on its own or can be combined with other qualifications such as an A Level, in which case total needs to be 64 (2017 UCAS tariff points) or 160 (2016 UCAS tariff points).
International Baccalaureate
Acceptable on its own and with other qualifications. Welsh Baccalaureate Acceptable on its own but is ideally combined with other qualifications as it is equivalent to one A Level.
Alternative qualifications considered
Audition or Interview
Candidates are invited to audition/interview on the basis of completing the LIPA and/or UCAS application form. We look for evidence of the key attributes and an ability to achieve the qualifications standard. In exceptional cases people may be invited to audition/interview who have not met or are not on course to meet the qualifications standard. In these cases there must be substantial potential demonstrated against the other attributes. The audition or interview allows us to evaluate you as a practitioner in your area of interest. Offers of a place will follow where you demonstrate high ability and the potential to succeed. At the interview for this course, candidates are given an overview of LIPA and the course and take part in an individual interview during which they present their portfolio. They also have to bring a written review to the interview.
Equal Opportunity
LIPA is an equal opportunities organisation and aims to successfully recruit students from a wide range of different socio-economic and personal backgrounds. To ensure we provide effective equality of opportunity within the application process we carefully consider each application individually and acknowledge differences that can exist between applicants’ experiences from diverse backgrounds. We regularly update our approaches to take into account changing understanding of communities and cultures and we monitor applicant/student characteristics such as age, gender and ethnicity.
Recognition of Prior (Experiential) Learning [RP(E)L] and Credit Transfers
If you can demonstrate that you have already achieved learning equivalent to a module or modules, or a level of study, in the programme then you may be eligible to be awarded credit for this learning or to have credit transferred from another UK institution. You will be required to complete an application to have your qualifications or experience approved by the Head of Discipline and the university. This requires the presentation of appropriate evidence and we will map the evidence against the programme outcomes to be certain of equivalence. If approved credit will be awarded and you will proceed on to the appropriate level of the course to complete the remaining credit for the award.
International requirements
Other international requirements
We welcome applications from students with qualifications from outside of the UK. Each application is considered on an individual basis and mapped to the appropriate entry level. We value the diversity of experience that students from different backgrounds bring to the course. IELTS score of 6 is required.
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-students/how-to-apply.
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