Zoology with a Year Abroad

Zoology is at the core of our understanding of the natural world. At Swansea you will enjoy unique opportunities to dedicate yourself to the scientific study of animals, from their physiology and anatomy, ecology and behaviour, to their evolution and conservation, acquiring the skills to play a major role in many sectors, from terrestrial and marine biology and conservation to agriculture, medicine, public health and veterinary science.

You will have an unrivalled opportunity to study animals in their natural environments, from the rich coastal, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats on our doorstep in the Gower Peninsula, to further afield environments visited during UK-based and international residential field courses. Our excellent teaching facilities include: new laboratory facilities; the Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Research; a zoology museum; a custom-designed 18-metre research vessel; and a unique visualisation suite to explore in unrivalled detail complex animal movement and behaviour data.

As part of this programme, you will spend a year abroad between your second and final year, broadening your skills and experience. Our partner institutions span the globe, with opportunities varying each year. If you wish to receive more information, please get in touch with us on study@swansea.ac.uk.

Why Zoology at Swansea?

• 2nd in the UK for Teaching Quality (Guardian University Guide 2025)

• 3rd in the UK for Teaching on my Course* (NSS 2024) * Based on the average positivity score across questions 1 to 4 in the NSS 2024 when ranked against universities featured in the Times Good University Guide

• 12th in the UK for Graduate Prospects (Guardian University Guide 2025)

• 11th in the UK for Research Quality (Complete University Guide 2025)

Zoology at Swansea University attracts students from far and wide and is based on our stunning Singleton Park campus overlooking Swansea Bay.

Your learning will be shaped by inspirational and internationally-renowned academics including Professor Rory Wilson – Chief Scientific Consultant behind National Geographic’s Great Migrations, and Dr Richard Unsworth – advisor on the globally acclaimed BBC series Blue Planet II.

Your Zoology Experience

• A flexibly structured degree path means you have the opportunity to study abroad, work in industry or undertake research for a year, either locally, nationally or overseas.

• Field courses available near and far allow you to work varied habitats, exploring the amazing natural areas on our doorstep, and natural life in distant lands such as India, Borneo, and the Red Sea.

In Year 1, you will typically study areas including: Cellular & Microbial Biology; Core Skills for Biological Sciences; Botany and Ecology; Evolution and Genetics; Life in the Oceans; and Animal Diversity and Behaviour.

In Year 2, you will typically study areas including: Ecological Data Analysis; Introduction to field zoology; Tetrapod Evolution; Entomology; Parasitology; Animal Conservation and Welfare; Molecular Ecology; Marine Invertebrates; Animal Physiology; Parasitology; Plant Ecology....

As part of this programme, you will spend a year abroad between your second and final year, broadening your skills and experience. Our partner institutions span the globe, with opportunities varying each year. If you wish to receive more information, please get in touch with us on study@swansea.ac.uk

In Year 4, you will typically study areas including: a Biosciences Research Project; Professional skills in conservation; Professional Laboratory Skills; Interdisciplinary Field Course to the Indian Himalayas (Sikkim); Tropical marine ecology field course; Tropical Ecology and Conservation - Borneo Field Trip; Mammalian Carnivore Ecology and Conservation; Movement ecology; Plant Conservation and Ecology; Climate Change Biology; Natural Products Biotechnology...

We are proud to provide an outstanding educational experience, using the most effective learning and teaching approaches, carefully tailored to suit the specific needs of your course. Apart from a small number of online-only courses, most of our courses consist of in-person, on-campus teaching, enabling full engagement with your lecturers and fellow students.

Practical skills sessions, lab work seminars, and workshops predominantly take place in person, allowing for group working and demonstrations. We also operate virtual labs and Simulated Learning Environments which will facilitate greater access to training opportunities in the future. However, our approach also includes the use of some online learning to support and enhance traditional face-to-face teaching.

Online learning may take place ‘live’ using software such as Zoom, allowing you to interact with the lecturer and other students and to ask questions. Lecture recordings also allow for more flexibility to revisit material, to revise for assessments and to enhance learning outside of the classroom. Some modules have extra resources in Canvas, such as videos, slides and quizzes enabling further flexible study.

This course may offer some modules taught through the medium of Welsh or bilingually for students who consider themselves to be fluent Welsh speakers. For more details on the provision available see the Welsh Provision expander below.