Zoo Biology (Top-up)

What makes UCS special?
Our staff and graduates are highly regarded by industry. The lecturers’ experience, knowledge and industry links can give you the head start you need. We are an accredited member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and work closely with them. We have also worked with the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) on a funded project to define a competence framework for zoo keepers, which is at the heart of our National Zoo Academy. Sparsholt is the hub for the industry recognised professional zookeeper qualification, the DMZAA (Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals).Our lecturers bring their expertise to your learning from their work with world‑leading zoos and nationally‑recognised organisations. They also advise research committees, welfare groups and awarding bodies within the industry. We have strong links with a range of wildlife, conservation and commercial organisations, allowing you to access work placements and to carry out industry relevant research that can feed into your career.

What Makes This Course Unique?

If you have completed an animal‑related Level 5 course and are looking to top‑up and specialise in zoo studies, this course will develop your skills through modules ranging from conservation biology to animal behaviour.

Designed to provide you with a holistic understanding of current zoo directions and a suite of skills to work in the zoo industry, the teaching team have a range of animal experience to help bring your studies to life.

What will I learn?

You’ll gain a deep understanding of animal welfare and behaviour, the animal industry and wildlife management. Topics such as animal nutrition, health and behaviour are paired with practical skills underpinned by the latest laboratory techniques and industry standard software.

Practical learning to ensure you graduate with career confidence:

• Animal Welfare assessments and applied research on animal behaviour

• Develop your understanding of animal health through post-mortems

• Conduct your own industry‑relevant research project.

How will I be assessed?
Our assessments mirror the challenges you will face in your career, combining academic depth with practical application:

• A range of reports, essays, presentations and debates that give you a strong understanding of communication methods for the industry.

• A research project to aid your development in project management, methodological design and analysis.

Focused on Your Future:
This course will enable you to pursue a career involving exotic animal species in a diverse range of zoo‑oriented roles. Students have also progressed onto MSc and PhD programmes such as our MSc in Applied Zoo Biology.

How our graduates are shaping the future:

• Working as zookeepers and aquarists, ecologists, in wildlife research or education.

• Pushing the frontiers of zoological research by working in postgraduate education such as Master’s and Doctoral level degrees.

Course Modules*

Dissertation and data analysis

Conservation biology

Conservation psychology and industry development

Applied zoo animal behaviour

Zoo reproduction and veterinary science

*subject to change

Assessment is primarily coursework based, comprising practical portfolios, case studies, seminars, reports and essays. This is supplemented in many units by an exam.