Zoology

As well as working as a zoologist, your in-depth knowledge of animal sciences and lab and field work equips you for a career in the environmental, agricultural and scientific industries

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Academic researcher
• Animal nutritionist
• Ecologist
• Environmental consultant
• Environmental education officer
• Higher education lecturer
• Marine scientist
• Nature conservation officer
• Science writer
• Zookeeper
• Zoologist

Jobs where your degree would be useful:

• Animal physiotherapist
• Environmental manager
• Field trials officer
• Fisheries officer
• Marine biologist
• Palaeontologist
• Research scientist (life sciences)
• Toxicologist
• Veterinary nurse
• Veterinary surgeon

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

Gaining some relevant work experience within the field you'd like to work is useful. Some degrees offer a year long work placement either in the UK or abroad, which can help to build professional contacts. If your course doesn't include this there's other fields and practical work you can take advantage of within your degree such as lab work, day trips or residential field courses.

You can also get experience, skills and contacts through carrying out voluntary work. Opportunities can often be found with animal welfare groups, zoos, wildlife parks and conservation projects. Relevant organisations include:

• The Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
• The Wildlife Trusts
• WWF

You can also try to get some involvement with university societies and other university groups and opportunities, paid opportunities or volunteer work. These experiences can often be combined with your current study by working in the evenings, on weekends or by pursuing opportunities during the summer holidays.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

You can find a job in a range of organisations depending on your area of interest. Typical employers of zoology graduates include:

• zoos or wildlife parks and environmental protection agencies
• animal and environmental charities
• aquaculture and animal nutrition companies
• government agencies and research institutions
• conservation organisations
• medical research establishments and the health service
• schools, colleges, science centres, libraries and museums
• universities and research institutes
• environmental consultancies
• chemical, pharmaceutical and petroleum companies.

Find information on employers in environment and agriculture, science and pharmaceuticals and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

Studying zoology provides you with in-depth knowledge in areas such as ethology (the science of animal behaviour), animal biology, physiology, animal evolution and diversity, species conservation and ecology.

You develop practical experience of modern laboratory and field research techniques, as well as an understanding of ethical working practices.

You also gain a strong set of transferable skills, including:

• analytical skills - through interpreting and manipulating complex scientific data and statistics
• research and observation skills
• data-handling skills - by collecting, recording, collating and analysing data using appropriate techniques and equipment
• written communication skills - through producing reports and writing up research projects
• presentation and oral communication skills - from presenting research findings and making presentations in a clear, succinct way
• project management skills - by organising and undertaking research projects and experiments (including budgeting, contingency planning and time management)
• a good understanding of information technology and specific technical skills such as GIS and genetic techniques
• the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Further study

After your zoology degree, you may choose to complete a Masters or PhD in order to specialise in a particular area of interest, for example:

• wildlife conservation and biology
• animal biology
• ecology and environmental sustainability
• ecology and management of the natural environment.

It's also possible to do further study in a different area entirely. Many postgraduate courses are open to graduates with a degree in any subject so you can take your career in a different direction if you wish.

You may also choose to study for a postgraduate teaching qualification in preparation for a career teaching biology or general science.

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees and search postgraduate courses in zoology.

What do zoology graduates do?

10% of zoology graduates are employed in animal care services occupations 15 months after graduation. Conservation professionals (7%), biological scientists (6%), laboratory technicians (3%), agricultural and fishing trades (3%) are also among the top ten jobs reported.

Find out what other graduates are doing after finishing their degrees in What do graduates do?

Graduate Outcomes survey data from HESA.