Zoology in Relation to Medicine and Veterinary Science BSc

Course overview

Zoology is the study of animals at all levels, from their molecular basis up to the way they interact with their ecosystems. On this course you will gain an in-depth knowledge of animal behaviour and zoological research. You will also be provided with the opportunity to explore genetics, evolution and conservation science and a range of related disciplines.

With this intercalated course you will gain a deeper insight into a wide range of animals, how they came to be and how they function. You can choose to study animals, including humans, from a broad perspective. This may include sociality and eusociality, development, behaviour, nutrition and sustainable agriculture and wildlife conservation. During your independent research project, you'll be encouraged to design and analyse your own scientific study, which will equip you with numerous transferrable skills.

This course will give you a strong grounding in the essentials of zoology to give you a broader perspective of life on Earth and our place within it.

Course highlights

• Access to a wide range of natural landscapes for your research project: the diverse Yorkshire coastline, the North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, Lake District and Peak District are all within easy reach.
• Excellent links with a range of relevant partners, including zoos, wild animal parks, nature reserve managers and research institutes.

Course details

Research projects

A wide range of research topics are available, such as parasite-host interactions, animal development, animal nutrition, sustainable livestock production, conservation ecology and animal behaviour. These projects are an important way for you to learn about independent scientific research and develop relevant skills for future employment. The data from some of our best projects have been used in scientific publications, with students involved in authorship.

Recent examples include:

• Biosecurity to slow the spread of invasive species
• The effect of parasitic infection on animal behaviour
• Foraging behaviour of gannets
• Diseases of marine mammals
• Functional diversity of coral reef fishes
• Insect sperm competition
• The role of the Major Histocompatibility Complex in human mate choice
• Animal welfare in pig production
• The exotic pet trade and the sale of endangered species

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Zoology in Relation to Medicine and Veterinary Science BSc in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Learning and teaching

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Teaching will be through lectures, practical classes, seminars, small group teaching and a research project. Assessment is similarly varied, including in-course assessment (formative and summative), practical reports and written examinations. The in course assessment exercises include tests of practical skills, essay writing, data manipulation and problem solving. The research project will be assessed throughout the project and on the final written report. Degree classification will be based upon the marks obtained in each of the component modules, with the appropriate credit weighting applied.

Entry requirements

Other course specific tests:

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

Fees

UK: To be confirmed

International: £32,250 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
In November 2024 the UK Government announced that the tuition fee cap may rise to £9,535 from £9,250.

The tuition fee cap for some foundation years may also reduce to £5,760 from £9,250.

This would start from the academic year 2025/26. However, this is subject to final confirmation from the Government. Once available, we’ll publish the fees for the 2025/26 academic year and individual offer letters shall be updated via email and post.

The foundation year courses affected are:
·         Business Studies with Foundation Year BSc
·         Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year BA
·         Interdisciplinary Studies with Preparation for Higher Education BA
·         Social Science (foundation year) BA

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 and 2025/26 are available on individual course pages.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.
 

Read more about paying fees and charges.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Applying

The personal statement should demonstrate interest and enthusiasm in zoological science.

This course is taught by

Faculty of Biological Sciences

Contact us

Faculty of Biological Sciences Undergraduate Admissions Office

Email: fbsadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

The course is designed to give you a challenging, yet enjoyable and rewarding year which will add significantly to your skills, knowledge, and enhance your career opportunities on graduation.

The course allows full integration with existing science based BSc courses and includes delivery of a substantive research project.

In addition to providing subject-specific knowledge, we equip you with the best possible skills for future careers. There is a strong emphasis on practical based teaching, small group teaching, online learning and problem solving. You will gain a wide range of transferable skills which are highly valued by employers. You will be ideally placed to focus on your personal development and make the most of your intercalating year.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.