Get ready to pursue a career in the zoological sciences with UWS’s BSc (Hons) Applied Bioscience & Zoology degree.
You’ll receive a grounding in biological and environmental science before progressing to study more advanced bioscience topics.
The programme will equip you with the practical and transferable skills for a rewarding career in the life sciences sector in Scotland or abroad.
Our highly qualified and experienced team will deepen your understanding of bioscience and the range of career options and professional accreditations available to you upon graduation.
Our Programme Leaders have recorded Zoom sessions to help you discover all there is to know about our courses. From professional accreditation to programme modules and career opportunities, our Programme Leaders will help answer all your questions. You can find them on our YouTube Channel or by clicking the link below.
Applied Bioscience and Zoology Programme LeaderIn year three you will have the opportunity to take part in relevant work-based learning module. Work-based learning is available as part of this course and can help to provide relevant skills and experience that will boost your employment prospects upon graduation.
Recent student placements include Blair Drummond Safari Park, Amazonia and with the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Scottish SPCA) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
top in Scotland for overall student satisfaction in Zoology – National Student Survey 2020
This degree has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) following an independent and rigorous assessment.
Accredited degrees contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of employers. The accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from accredited degrees meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills.
This course meets, in part, the academic and experience requirement for the Membership of the RSB and Chartered Biologist (CBiol) status.
The Royal Society of Biology is the leading professional body for the biological sciences in the United Kingdom. The Society represents over 18,000 biologists from all areas of the life sciences, as well as over 100 organisations which make up the diverse landscape of biology in the UK and overseas. The Royal Society of Biology offers members unique opportunities to engage with the life sciences and share their passion for biology.
We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Don’t worry if your qualifications are not listed here, we take a range of factors into account when assessing your application and are happy to consider other alternative combinations of qualifications and experience.
If you are applying with an EU or non-EU qualification, please check our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page which gives more information about country-specific entry requirements.
Direct entry into year 2 and 3 is possible.
* for more information on standard and minimum entry requirements, see the drop-down section below
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The qualifications below must have been gained within two years of the start of your course.
General English language requirements at UWS: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see section below for more details).
All stated English tests are acceptable for admission for both home/EU and international students for this programme:
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to, or require professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council, applicants are required to have an IELTS or Occupational English Test (OET)*.
For such courses, the IELTS score is as follows:
* Note that the Occupational English Test (OET) will now be accepted in addition to IELTS as proof of a Nurse's English Language Competence (Nursing & Midwifery Council, 2019).
For our BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science programmes, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
TOEFL IBT*: 78; no sub-test less than:
* Please note that TOEFL is still acceptable for admission to this programme for both home/EU and international students.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use TOEFL to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level courses. We therefore still accept TOEFL tests taken in the last two years for admission to this programme.
West African Senior School Certificate of Education (WASSCE) including acceptance of WAEC Scratchcard*
*UWS will accept a WAEC scratchcard confirming that an applicant has achieved C6 or above as evidence of meeting English language requirement from Nigeria if the student graduated within the last 5 years. After 5 years applicants would be required to provide the WAEC Certificate.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:
On our course pages, you will find details of our entry criteria listed as Standard Entry Requirements and Minimum Entry Requirements. These are the academic qualifications that, depending on your personal circumstances, you will be required to meet to allow your application to be considered for a place at UWS.
Competition for places on many of our courses can be very high and even if you meet the standard or minimum qualifications stated, there is no guarantee that your application will progress to the next stage of the admissions process. We review individual applications very closely and place great importance on your personal statement and academic reference as well as your academic qualifications before making selection decisions.
Our Standard Entry Requirements are the grades that you will need to achieve to allow you to be considered for entry to a specific programme of study.
Our Minimum Entry Requirements are applicable to those applicants who have not had an equal opportunity to demonstrate their academic ability at school or college and are known as ‘widening access’ applicants. We also sometimes refer to this type of applicant as receiving a ‘contextual’ offer. We may be able to provide you with a contextual offer if you fall into one of the categories below:
If you fall into any of the first four categories above, please mention this on your UCAS application. We will automatically apply category 5 if it applies to you.
If you have already achieved the required grades for either our standard or minimum entry criteria, we may be able to offer you an unconditional offer for some course areas. If you have not yet achieved these grades, we may be able to make you a conditional offer, which will rely on you achieving further qualifications before you can be accepted on to a programme of study.
Further details of our Admissions processes can be found as follows:
A general introduction to various biological disciplines, from cell and molecular aspects to ecological and environmental topics. You will be introduced to the role of a zoologist and research specific zoology topics. Additionally, you will receive an introduction to the University’s Virtual Learning Environment.
Studies focus on more specialised areas of zoology and bioscience including Biosphere & Man, Vertebrate Physiology, Genetics, Microbiology and Human Biology. You will also complete a module that will equip you with practical skills in data collection, analysis and presentation.
You will deepen your knowledge of zoology with core modules in entomology, parasitology, animal diversity, conservation and animal behaviour. You can also choose to take part in a work-related learning module in a relevant area of interest. You will also complete a one-week residential marine biology field trip.
You will study specialist zoology areas such as aquatic ecology, behavioural ecology and pest management. A critical part of the Year 4 curriculum is a supervised project where you participate in research in a subject area of your choice.
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and workshops.
You will also have the opportunity to take part in group work and independent learning to develop your transferable skills such as research, presentation, communication and working as part of a team.
This degree is assessed using a variety of assessment methods including:
This course also gives you the option of taking a language module, which can count towards your degree. These modules cover multiple languages and range from absolute beginner to near-native speaker level. The cost of your language module is included in the tuition fees. Find out more
Find out more about the structure, learning outcomes, compulsory and optional modules in this course.
“I now work in my dream job on the other side of the world, having only graduated in 2017 and a big part of that is thanks to UWS – an amazing university that I would recommend to anyone!”
Adam Underwood. BSc (Hons) Applied Bioscience & Zoology graduate, now a zookeeper in Victoria, Australia
This programme will prepare you for a successful career in zoological or biological sciences. Employment is diverse and could include careers such as:
Some graduates pursue further study, including UWS’s MSc Advanced Biomedical Science or MSc Biotechnology programmes. Options to study biosciences at PhD level are also available.
£1,820 Cost of study per year (paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,250 Cost of study per year (for four years but you will not pay more than £27,750)
£9,250 Cost of study per year (for four years but you will not pay more than £27,750)
£14,500 Cost per year of study
£305 Cost per 20-credit module of study
£1,550 Cost per 20-credit module of study
£1,550 Cost per 20-credit module of study
£2,420 Cost per 20-credit module of study
£1,820 Cost of study per year (normally paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS)
£9,250 Cost of study per year (for four years but you will not pay more than £27,750)
£9,250 Cost of study per year (for four years but you will not pay more than £27,750)
£15,250 Cost per year of study
£305 Cost per 20-credit module of study
£1,550 Cost per 20-credit module of study
£1,550 Cost per 20-credit module of study
£2,540 Cost per 20-credit module of study
The cost of attending university is an investment in your future career.
In addition to tuition fees and living expenses, some courses involve extra costs like study materials, field trips, equipment and uniforms.
Fortunately, there is a great deal of financial support available to help students meet the cost of their study. This ranges from:
The sections below provide details of additional costs that your course may involve along with any financial support that may be available.
You can also find additional information in our Undergraduate Money, Fees & Funding section.
Students on certain degrees will incur some additional costs not covered by their tuition fees. These could be for things like specialist equipment, study materials and textbooks, work placements, graduation, membership of relevant organisations or costs related to carrying out fieldwork.
For students on course with an element of fieldwork, there may also be extra costs for travel and accommodation.
Note: The library will hold some copies of the textbooks but not enough for every student. Students can purchase second hand copies when possible or use older versions if advised by the module cordinator. Students can also sell their copies after the course. This helps manage the cost.
Course materials (Mandatory)
You will be required to purchase a laboratiry workbook at c.£3.
You will also be required to purchase a Howie laboratory coat which is estimated at c.£25.
Photocopying (Optional)
It is estimated that over the course of the year, you may spend c.£10 on photocpying. This is not essential you may choose to spend more, or less accoring to your needs.
Course materials (Mandatory)
You will be required to purchase a Howie laboratory coat which is estimated at c.£25 if you do not already have one.
Photocopying (Optional)
It is estimated that over the course of the year, you may spend c.£10 on photocpying. This is not essential you may choose to spend more, or less accoring to your needs.
Course materials (Mandatory)
You will be required to purchase a Howie laboratory coat which is estimated at c.£25 if you do not already have one.
Photocopying (Optional)
It is estimated that over the course of the year, you may spend c.£10 on photocpying. This is not essential you may choose to spend more, or less accoring to your needs.
Field Trip costs (Mandatory)
The mandatory filed trip in Year 3 costs (in session 19/20) c.£80. Travel costs for the field trip vary depending upon your home address and are therefore variable. You should be aware that youmay need to travel at peak times which can cost more. However, we estimate that a budget of £50 would be sufficient for travel to/from the field trip.
Graduation fees (Optional for those exiting with BSc award)
These fees are set annually by the University and are subject to review. For session 19/20 these were set at £10 Registration Fee.
Course materials (Mandatory)
You will be required to purchase a Howie laboratory coat which is estimated at c.£25 if you do not already have one.
Dissertation & poster presentation (Mandatory)
Your final year dissertation is a core and mandatory piece of research undertaken in your final year of studies. However, only electronic copies are required to be submitted for assessment. You may wish to print bound copies, but this is not mandatory. Depending upon the size of the dissertation and the content it can cost anything between £15-40. Research posters are developed as part of your final year studies but these are electronic versions only and do not need to be printed for assessment.
Photocopying (Optional)
It is estimated that over the course of the year, you may spend c.£10 on photocpying. This is not essential you may choose to spend more, or less accoring to your needs.
Graduation fees (Mandatory)
These fees are set annually by the University and are subject to review. For session 19/20 these were set at £10 Registration Fee. Academic dress and official photography (Optional) for graduation ceremonies is hired and arranged respectively from an external suppliers.
Tuition fees are calculated based on where you are from and what you are studying. Some courses also involve additional costs, such as mandatory field trips, equipment or studying abroad.
Find out how much it will cost you to study at UWS as an undergraduate student.
Scottish students studying at undergraduate level at UWS are entitled to various funds and support towards tuition fees and living costs.
English, Welsh and Northern Irish students studying at undergraduate level at UWS are entitled to various funds and support towards tuition fees and living costs.
EU students studying at undergraduate level of UWS may be eligible for SAAS funding, as well as support to meet the costs of childcare and various sources of additional funding.
There are several scholarship and incentive schemes available to international students studying at undergraduate level at UWS, as well as support to meet the costs of childcare and various sources of additional funding.
UWS administer a range of discretionary and childcare funds. These are designed to support students who are experiencing financial difficulty or struggling to meet the costs of childcare.
Becoming a student can have an impact on your entitlement to certain benefits. It may mean you are no longer eligible to claim a benefit you have been receiving, or your new income from student funding may affect the amount you are able to receive.
If there isn’t a statutory source of funding for you or your course, or you are in need of additional financial support, you may wish to consider more alternative sources of funding such as trust funds and scholarships.
At UWS, we believe financial restrictions should never be a barrier to your education.
The WEST (Widening Education and Supporting Talent) Scholarship Programme aims to remove the financial barriers that stop talented students from progressing throughout their degree to graduation.
Choosing to become a student can have a big impact on your budget and you may need to reassess your spending to account for a reduced income. We’ve put together some guidance to help you manage your money and make the right financial choices for you and your family.
All UK and EU applicants for undergraduate study, not applying through an agent or partner, should apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)
The on-time application deadline for 2022/23 entry is 25 January 2023, 18:00 (UK time). For some courses it may still be possible to apply beyond this period, subject to suitable vacancies remaining. The final deadline for late applications via UCAS is 30 June 2022, 18:00 (UK time). Beyond this deadline, you may be able to apply via ‘UCAS Clearing’ if the course you are interested in has remaining places.
Please refer to our Undergraduate Application Guide to find more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS.
Students from non-EU/non-EEA countries can apply directly to UWS via our dedicated online application system. The latest we can process your application is 6 weeks before the course start date to allow for visa processing times. For more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS please refer to our International Undergraduate Application Guide.
For part-time & online study, you should apply directly to the University through our online application system, not through UCAS. Please select the part-time mode of study when submitting your application. Before you begin your application, it is important to read the part-time application step-by-step guide for a smooth process.
To come to UWS as a visiting student on a study abroad or exchange programme, you must apply entirely through our online system.
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
Do you have a question about applying for this course? Get in touch. We are here to help!
Going to university is about much more than getting a qualification, it’s also the chance to enjoy an exciting social life, gain some independence and make the most of the new opportunities available.
Discover More About UWSWe will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.