Course summary

Our four-year Society of Biology-recognised course is ideal if you don’t have the qualifications for our BSc (Hons) in Zoology. The foundation year gives you a really good grounding in science, and then you’ll join our BSc course. After that, the world’s your oyster (or zebra, lynx or yak). Zoology studies animals, ranging from invertebrate biology to vertebrate physiology, ecology and behaviour. It’s connected to subjects like cell biology and genetics. You could specialise in areas such as animal behaviour, wildlife biology or ecology and conservation. In your foundation year you’ll cover a broad range of subjects including biology, chemistry and maths, helping you to prepare for higher-level study. You’ll then move on to the first year of our BSc (Hons) in Zoology. Field work is an important part of zoology. It’s a practical subject and we’ll give you plenty of opportunities to learn and practise both in the lab and the field. In your third year you’ll take a week-long field trip to north Devon to experience both marine and terrestrial zoology, the costs of which are included in your course fees. On our optional field trips you might experience rutting red deer on the island of Rum; marine biology in Scotland; world-class zoos in the Netherlands; wildlife and ecology in Africa; and diving and marine biology overseas. You’ll need to pay for these optional trips. Cambridge is a world centre for wildlife conservation, with several significant international organisations based here. You’ll have opportunities to attend lectures and visit specialist museums and libraries in the city. If you’re interested in captive animal behaviour, you can access the facilities at the College of West Anglia, Cambridge. Our Zoology course is recognised by the Society of Biology's degree-recognition scheme.