A Zoology degree can provide you with the knowledge and training not only for a job working as a zoologist but also equips you for a career in the environmental, agricultural and pharmaceutical industries.
Introduction
The Master of Zoology (MBiol) is a four-year programme, in which students first follow the three-year BSc in Zoology and then continue into a fourth year, subject to performance.
In the first three years, you’ll study a broad range of modules including animal behaviour, conservation biology, ecology, evolution, and animal physiology with the opportunity to specialise and carry out your own research project.
The fourth (Master’s) year aims at developing enhanced research and personal skills for students seeking a high-level career in research (e. g. studying for a PhD or working in industry) or those seeking to enhance their qualification. Students will join a research team to undertake a significant research project. Students can also apply for a six-week summer research internship in the UK or overseas or apply to spend time working in industry or in other enterprises in the final year.
What you'll learn
Develop field skills in zoologically rich locations in a wide range of habitats
Learn about the ecology of populations and the diversity of ecosystems
Understand the evolution of behavioural patterns and their contribution to survival, success, and fitness
Understand current approaches to conservation and the management of species and ecosystems
Become literate in finding, interpreting, evaluating and managing information
Communicate ideas effectively to a variety of audiences
Work independently and collaboratively
Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Use lab equipment correctly and safely
Plan, initiate, and carry out projects
Teaching Excellence Framework 2023
We’re proud to announce we’ve been awarded a
Gold rating for educational excellence.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Year one
In this first year, you’ll gain an understanding of core concepts of biology as well as the fundamental principles of immunity, infection, and therapy. You will also study how organisms develop and function and learn about ecology and the global environment. You will develop practical skills and participate in field studies, and you will discover how to utilise quantitative skills and study techniques.
COMPULSORY MODULES
Biology core concepts, principles, and fundamentals BIOS101
Development, function, immunity, infection, and therapeutics BIOS102
Introductory Practical Skills for Life Sciences BIOS103
From Individuals to Ecosystem BIOS104
Study and Communication Skills Tutorials BIOS105
Applied Practical Research Skills for Life Sciences BIOS106
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
Year two
In your second year you’ll expand your range of knowledge building those essential research skills, experimental design and analysis together with professional skills preparing you for a career within or outside the area of zoology. You will study animal behaviour and physiology, and explore the relationship between hosts and parasites. In addition, you will have optional modules enabling you to follow your interest in animal husbandry or marine ecology.
COMPULSORY MODULES
Genetics, Microbiology & Infection BIOS201
Intermediary Practical Research Skills for Life Sciences BIOS203
Academic & professional skills tutorials BIOS205
Animal Behaviour BIOS207
Practical Skills in Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour BIOS208
Parasites, Pathogens and Hosts BIOS211
Animal Ecophysiology BIOS222
OPTIONAL MODULES (CHOOSE ONE)
Animal Anatomy, Physiology & Husbandry BIOS220
Marine Ecophysiology, Ecology and Exploitation ENVS251
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
Year three
Year three will provide an unparalleled opportunity for you to learn at the cutting edge of zoological research and be taught by world-leading academics in the subjects of ecology, evolution, and conservation biology. You will also develop advanced field skills and you will have the opportunity to take a physical or virtual placement. Central to this year is the research project where you will plan and execute your own research, analyse and critically evaluate data and communicate your research findings in your chosen specialisation.
COMPULSORY MODULES
Research Project BIOS301
Introduction to the World of Work BIOS302
Research Methods BIOS303
Applied Conservation Biology BIOS318
Advanced Ecology for a Sustainable Future BIOS325
Advanced Topics in Evolutionary Biology BIOS327
Zoology Field Course BIOS333
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
Year four
The fourth year of study offers great flexibility – students may spend it entirely on campus at Liverpool, but more commonly they take up opportunities to broaden their experiences, for example a six-week research internship in the UK (in hospitals, industry or research institutes) or abroad (in our partner universities in Thailand or China). Others may elect to spend the entire fourth year on placement, in similar host institutions. Students will take core modules in research methods and statistics or informatics, together with a 60-credit research project. Students may replace the internship with other modules that cover advanced topics of global importance.
COMPULSORY MODULES
Research Project LIFE700
Research Methods and Application LIFE731
OPTIONAL MODULES (Choose one)
Advanced Statistics for Biological Research LIFE707
Informatics for Life Sciences LIFE721
Informatics for Life Sciences (Off campus) LIFE621
OPTIONAL MODULES (Students choose either the research internship, or two of the remaining modules)
Research Internship LIFE701
Evolution and Behaviour LIFE709
Coding for Life Sciences LIFE733
Cellular Biotechnology and Biological Imaging LIFE749
Emerging Infections and Pandemic LIFE751
Computational Biology LIFE752
Proteomics, Metabolomics and Data Analysis LIFE754
Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology LIFE756
Analysing Climate processes and variability ENVS475
Advanced Conservation Biology ENVS423
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
How you'll learn
You’ll learn through a balanced mix of lectures, workshops, field work, seminars and tutorials as well as hands-on, practical laboratory sessions, working individually and in small groups.
How you're assessed
Assessed work including essays, presentations, group work, qualitative and experimental reports together with examination results from years one, two, three contributing to your final degree classification.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
Course options
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
With more than £30 million invested into our of the art teaching facilities and resources, your studies are fully supported. You can shape your studies by choosing a diverse range of modules from across the range of Biosciences subjects for a career in the environmental, agricultural and pharmaceutical industries.
Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
Employability is embedded into the Zoology MBiolSci programme and can be the necessary stepping stone into a successful career in many sectors such as government agencies, animal charities and welfare groups, wildlife parks and conservation projects. Alternatively you may choose to opt to study for a PhD in Veterinary Science.
Recent employers include:
AstraZeneca
BBC
Chester Zoo
Home Affairs and Security
Royal Society of Biology
The Environment Agency
4 in 5 biosciences students find their main activity after graduation meaningful.
Graduate Outcomes, 2018-19.
Fees and funding
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year
£9,535
Year in industry fee
£1,850
Year abroad fee
£1,385
International fees
Full-time place, per year
£29,100
Year in industry fee
£1,850
Year abroad fee
£14,550
The UK full-time tuition fee, international course fee and fee for the year abroad for international students shown are correct for 2025/26 entry. We are currently awaiting confirmation of whether the year abroad fee for UK students, as well as the year in industry fee will change, so the fees shown are for 2024/25. Please note that the year abroad fee also applies to the year in China.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about fees and funding.
Additional costs
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This includes the costs associated with placements or internships, and the optional field course in Uganda.
ABB including Biology and a second science, preferably Chemistry.
Applicants with the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) are eligible for a reduction in grade requirements.
For this course, the offer is BBB with
A
in the EPQ.
You may automatically qualify for reduced entry requirements through our contextual offers scheme.
T levels
Health and Science (Science pathway) is accepted with an overall grade of Distinction to include B in the core.
Also accepted as a second science: Environmental Science, Mathematics, Physics, Geography, Psychology, Geology and Applied Science.
For applicants from England, where A levels in Biology, Chemistry or Physics have been taken, we will also require a pass in the Practical Endorsement
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma
D*DD in Applied Science with a selection of preferred units in Biology and Chemistry, to include Distinction in Units 1 and 5 (Principles and Applications of Science I and II).
For previous BTEC (QCF) qualification:
D*DD in Applied Science with a selection of preferred units in Biology and Chemistry, with at least 120 Level 3 credits at Distinction.
Please note alternative BTEC subjects are not acceptable for this programme.
33 points including 6 in Higher Level Biology and 5 in Higher Level Chemistry (or second science).
Irish Leaving Certificate
H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3 including grade H2 in both of High level Biology and second science.
Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher
Not accepted without Advanced Highers at grades ABB
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced
Accepted at grade B as equivalent to a third non-science A level at grade B.
Access
45 Level 3 credits in graded units in a relevant Diploma, including 30 at Distinction and a further 15 with at least Merit.
15 Distinctions are required in each of Biology and Chemistry.
GCSE Mathematics and English grade C also required.
International qualifications
Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our entry requirements. Completing your Foundation Certificate, such as that offered by the University of Liverpool International College, means you're guaranteed a place on your chosen course.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
English language qualification
Requirements
IELTS
6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5
TOEFL iBT
88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 17, writing 17, reading 17 and speaking 19. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted.
Duolingo English Test
120 overall, with no component below 95
Pearson PTE Academic
61 overall, with no component below 59
LanguageCert Academic
70 overall, with no skill below 60
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0500
Grade C overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking and listening. Speaking and listening must be separately endorsed on the certificate.
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0990
Grade 4 overall, with Merit in speaking and listening
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0510/0511
0510: Grade B overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0511: Grade B overall.
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0993/0991
0993: Grade 6 overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0991: Grade 6 overall.
International Baccalaureate English A: Literature or Language & Literature
Grade 5 at Standard Level or grade 5 at Higher Level
International Baccalaureate English B
Grade 7 at Standard Level or grade 6 at Higher Level
Cambridge ESOL Level 2/3 Advanced
176 overall, with no paper below 162
PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH
Do you need to complete a Pre-Sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-Sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
