Options with zoology
Studying zoology provides you with specialist knowledge in areas such as ethology (the science of animal behaviour), animal biology (particularly physiology, molecular biology and genetics), conservation and ecology.
In addition to this subject-specific knowledge, you will also develop practical experience of modern laboratory and field research techniques, giving you a range of technical skills.
Studying for a degree in zoology also provides you with a strong set of transferable skills valued by many employers. These include:
Some three-year degree courses include the opportunity to opt for a four-year sandwich degree. The third year is spent undertaking a work placement, either in the UK or abroad, which provides valuable practical experience and enables you to further develop your transferable skills.
Some university courses include work placements either in the UK or abroad as part of a four-year sandwich degree. However, zoology graduates may also acquire experience, skills and contacts through carrying out voluntary work. Opportunities can often be found in animal welfare groups, zoos and conservation projects. The skills gained from work experience and extracurricular activities can greatly enhance your employability.
If you are seeking a career in a different area, it is also important to gain experience. You can do this through university involvement, paid opportunities or volunteer work. These experiences can often be combined with your current study by working in the evenings or on weekends or by pursuing opportunities during the summer holidays.
Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it’s not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here. Look at your degree... what next? for informed advice on career planning and graduate employment, or login/register with My Prospects to find out what jobs would suit you, a helpful starting point for self-analysis.
Explore types of jobs to find out more about the above options and related jobs.
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 2012 HESA survey of 2011 graduates indicates that, six months after graduation, just over half of zoology graduates had entered paid employment. Of those, around 4% had started jobs related to scientific analysis and research, almost 6% were commercial, industrial or public sector managers and 9% were in other technical and professional roles.
Other popular areas of work included business and financial management, education, and marketing, sales and advertising. 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.
Jobs are available with a wide range of organisations in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Typical employers include:
For an insight into potential employment areas see:
For further information on possibilities in other employment areas, see job sectors.
Statistics are collected every year to show what HE students do immediately after graduation. These can be a useful guide but, in reality, because the data is collected within 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?
In 2011, six months after graduation, almost a quarter of zoology graduates had gone on to further study, with a further 5% combining further study and work.
Many zoology graduates choose to undertake postgraduate study at Masters or PhD level in order to specialise in a particular area of interest within their discipline, for example conservation biology, ecology and environmental sustainability, and ecology and management of the natural environment.
Some zoology graduates choose to pursue further studies in a different area entirely. Many postgraduate courses in areas such as marketing, finance, business, law, museums or journalism are open to graduates with a degree in any subject. These programmes are often directly vocational and, combined with relevant experience, will equip you for specific areas of employment. You may also choose to study for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) (Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) in Scotland) in preparation for a career teaching biology or general science.
These trends show only what previous graduates in your subject did immediately upon graduating. Over the course of their career - the first few years in particular - many others will opt for some form of further study, either part time or full time. If further study interests you, start by thinking about postgraduate study in the UK and search courses and research to identify your options.
For details relating to finance and the application process, look at funding my further study.
