Zoology : Career areas

Zoology graduates are employed in a wide range of career areas including conservation, environmental and wildlife management, medical research, human and veterinary sciences, animal ecology and behaviour, the media, scientific journalism, teaching and research.

A 2010 HESA survey of 2009 graduates indicates that, six months after graduation, around 50% of zoology graduates had entered paid employment in the UK or overseas. Of those, around 4% had started jobs related to scientific analysis and research, and 10% were in other technical and professional roles.

Other popular areas of work included commercial, industrial and public sector management and business and financial management. The wide variety of employment destinations seen amongst zoology graduates reflects the diversity of skills provided by a zoology degree.

Many recent graduates will have taken a job they do not regard as permanent and will be planning to use it as a stepping stone to gain experience to support their longer-term career aspirations.

Where are the jobs?

Jobs are available with a wide range of organisations in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Typical employers include:

• zoos/wildlife parks and environmental protection agencies;
• government agencies and research institutions;
• medical research establishments and the National Health Service;
• environmental and animal charities;
• schools/colleges, science centres, libraries and museums;
• universities and research institutes;
• environmental consultancies;
• chemical, pharmaceutical and petroleum companies;
• aquaculture and animal nutrition companies.

For an insight into potential employment areas see:

• environment and agriculture - comprises 17 different sectors, with main areas of work covering land management and production, animal welfare and environmental industries;
• science - there are many opportunities to find employment in numerous functions across the industry, especially in research and development (R&D), biotechnology and environmental science.

See industry insights for further information on possibilities in other employment areas.

Statistics are collected every year by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) to show what HE students do immediately after graduation. These can be a useful guide but, in reality, with the data being collected within just six months of graduation, many graduates are travelling, waiting to start a course, paying off debts, getting work experience or still deciding what they want to do. For further information about some of the areas of employment commonly entered by graduates of any degree discipline, check out What Do Graduates Do?  and your degree...what next?