BSc (Hons) Zoology with Foundation Year

About your course

The professionally-accredited BSc (Hons) Zoology with Foundation Year at Liverpool John Moores University is the ideal course if you are interested in this subject but lack the necessary qualifications to study it at degree level.

About the Foundation Year

The Foundation Year is ideal if you have the ability to study for a degree but don't have the qualifications to enter directly onto the Zoology honours degree programme. Once you pass the Foundation Year you will progress directly onto the first year of the honours degree. If you are a full-time UK student, you will qualify for student financial support for the full duration of your course (subject to eligibility criteria).

About BSc (Hons) Zoology

Zoology is the scientific study of animals, both living and extinct. It encompasses all aspects of biology, from biochemistry and cell biology to ecology and behaviour, and examines animals in the context of their evolution and their environment, allowing you to specialise in your own areas of interest via placements, projects and modules in levels 5 and 6.

Practical hands-on experience is an important aspect of the course and we have a wealth of local facilities and fieldwork sites on our doorstep. These include three major zoological collections (Chester Zoo, Knowsley Safari Park and the Blue Planet Aquarium) as well as the diverse habitat sites of the North Wales and Lancashire coasts and inland ecosystems in Snowdonia and the Lake District.

One of the real bonuses of this course is the opportunity for residential fieldwork at Level 4 (core), Level 5 (optional) and Level 6 (optional). At Level 6 this is normally overseas and the possible destination is the Doñana National Park, Spain where you can learn ecological and behavioural field work skills.

These are in addition to further extended fieldwork opportunities through work placements of 4-6 weeks and/or a 12-month sandwich placement with a relevant organisation in the UK or overseas.

Grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics/ Numeracy.

GCSE Equivalences accepted:
• Key Skills Level 2 in English/Maths
• NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
• Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
• Higher Diploma in Maths/English
• Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
• Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number

DDD-CDD
Minimum Number of A Levels: 1
Maximum AS UCAS Points: 20
Must have a level 3 qualification and GCSE Grade 4 or above in Maths and Science

MMP

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications From a relevant subject

MMP

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications From a relevant subject

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.

You need to obtain the required UCAS points from a related subject area.

Employability

Some of our students continue on to postgraduate research degrees after graduation while others enter careers as diverse as embryology, clinical and veterinary science and wildlife conservation. Others choose to go into teaching or lecturing.

Graduates have secured full-time employment in the following roles (some after further study/training):

• Planning and Biodiversity Advisor, Natural England
• Senior Ecologist, United Utilities
• Research and Conservation Officer, Knowsley Safari Park
• Wildlife Consultant, SafeSky
• Team Manager (elephants), Chester Zoo
• Estate Manager, RSPB
• Inspector/Animal Welfare Officer/Rehoming Officer, RSPCA
• Animal Health Officer, Heathrow Animal Reception Centre
• Training Instructor, Dogs for Good
• Lead Conservation Scientist (Behaviour and Welfare), Chester Zoo
• Community Outreach Coordinator (Conservation), Auckland
• Research Assistant, Wellcome Trust, Sanger Institute
• Regulatory Scientist, Health and Safety Executive
• Virology and Stability analyst, AstraZeneca
• Scientist, BAE Systems
• Natural History Documentary Producer/Director, National Geographic
• Research Fellow (Sea Mammal Research Unit), University of St Andrews
• Veterinary Surgeon
• Veterinary Physiotherapist
• Pathology Operations Manager, Medical Research Council
• Project Management, Office for National Statistics

Others have opted for postgraduate study (PGCE, MSc, MPhil, PhD or other competitive undergraduate courses, such as medicine, veterinary science), have set up their own animal-related business or taken non-animal related graduate employment.

Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service

A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.

Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website. There are opportunities for flexible, paid and part-time work through Unitemps, LJMU's in-house recruitment service, and we also offer fully funded Discovery Internships.

One-to-one careers and employability advice is available via our campus-based Careers Zones and we offer a year-round programme of events, including themed careers and employability workshops, employer events and recruitment fairs. Our Start-Up Hub can help you to grow your enterprise skills and to research, plan and start your own business or become a freelancer.

A suite of learning experiences, services and opportunities is available to final year students to help ensure you leave with a great onward plan. You can access LJMU's Careers, Employability and Start-up Services after you graduate and return for one-to-one support for life.