Paths forward for ornithology / zoology?

For about as long as I can remember my intention has always been to do zoology // ornithology as a subject for later study.
This year I resat my exams for Biology and Chemistry GCSE. In Chemistry I got grade 7, but in Biology I got grade 5 - same as before. Now I am doing Chemistry, Applied Science and Media Studies - and also have grade B for Mathematics 1-year course I got the first time I did Y12.
I still wish to pursue zoology / ornithology as subject for later study, but being unable to do A-Level Biology makes things an octave trickier methinks. But I do see that some courses do do zoology with a foundation course of biology. I was hoping some of you may be able to give me advice so that I can still pursue what I wish to do given the circumstances.

Without Biology a level you could take a foundation year and then progress to the degree as you said. You might be able to find a uni which accepts chem and applied science in its entry requirements for zoology- im not sure if there are any but it might be worth checking. If you did do that however it would mean you’d be at a disadvantage most likely due to your understanding of biology not being a level standard. Ive also seen more vocational based training in fields related to your interests so consider looking into that if you think it might suit you better 🙂
One thing i would put a lot of consideration into is whether a degree in a branch of biology is right for you considering you’ve only been able to achieve a 5 at gcse. What is it about biology you struggle with? What is your interest in zoology and ornithology? Im not trying to discourage you (im also aiming for zoology or something related so completely relate to a passion for the field). Im just suggesting you consider whether your goal fits with your strengths and interests.

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dedennedillo

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Original post by DerDracologe

Without Biology a level you could take a foundation year and then progress to the degree as you said. You might be able to find a uni which accepts chem and applied science in its entry requirements for zoology- im not sure if there are any but it might be worth checking. If you did do that however it would mean you’d be at a disadvantage most likely due to your understanding of biology not being a level standard. Ive also seen more vocational based training in fields related to your interests so consider looking into that if you think it might suit you better 🙂
One thing i would put a lot of consideration into is whether a degree in a branch of biology is right for you considering you’ve only been able to achieve a 5 at gcse. What is it about biology you struggle with? What is your interest in zoology and ornithology? Im not trying to discourage you (im also aiming for zoology or something related so completely relate to a passion for the field). Im just suggesting you consider whether your goal fits with your strengths and interests.

My main achilles heel with GCSE biology was always written answers.
I recall when my mock papers would be marked, both my parents and those marking had one thing in agreement - my knowledge of the subject was very very good, but I was never proficient at forming written answers that satisfied the markscheme.

Original post by dedennedillo

My main achilles heel with GCSE biology was always written answers.
I recall when my mock papers would be marked, both my parents and those marking had one thing in agreement - my knowledge of the subject was very very good, but I was never proficient at forming written answers that satisfied the markscheme.

That’s a difficult situation- I suppose if your knowledge and enthusiasm is good then the idea of doing a foundation year after your level 3 subjects would work quite well then as uni grading will be different.

(edited 3 months ago)

Original post by dedennedillo

For about as long as I can remember my intention has always been to do zoology // ornithology as a subject for later study.
This year I resat my exams for Biology and Chemistry GCSE. In Chemistry I got grade 7, but in Biology I got grade 5 - same as before. Now I am doing Chemistry, Applied Science and Media Studies - and also have grade B for Mathematics 1-year course I got the first time I did Y12.
I still wish to pursue zoology / ornithology as subject for later study, but being unable to do A-Level Biology makes things an octave trickier methinks. But I do see that some courses do do zoology with a foundation course of biology. I was hoping some of you may be able to give me advice so that I can still pursue what I wish to do given the circumstances.

Hi dedennedillo,

I'm a current PhD student in Zoology at the University of Exeter's Cornwall Campus - although my research is on termites rather than birds, I'm still a bit of a hobbyist birdwatcher myself!

After reading your post I thought I'd let you know that the University of Exeter's Zoology course doesn't require you do Biology A Level, but just a science, for which you studying chemistry would qualify. You can see the entry requirements in more detail here. At the University of Exeter's Penryn Campus we have the Centre for Ecology and Conservation, which is one of the largest of it's kind in the UK. You can find out more about the Zoology course here, and the department here. I've been based here since my undergraduate degree, and can vouch for the quality of the campus, course, and academic staff - we're also really highly rated too such as 6th in the UK for Zoology in Guardian University Guide, and 4th in the world for Ecology research in the Shanghai University Rankings.

Also at the University of Exeter we also have lots of academics who are keen ornithologists and have current research projects involving birds, with their names listed here. As examples that may interest you, we currently have projects studying cognition and sociality in corvids, language in chesnut-crowned babblers, avian pox in the Galapagos islands, camouflage in endangered ground-nesting birds, the effects of pollution and urbanisation on herring gulls, and migration in Brent geese, among many more.

I hope that's helpful and helps reassure you of some of your options going forward. Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any more questions about studying Zoology, the University of Exeter, or any other topics where may advice and experience may be useful.

All the best.

Kingsley
University of Exeter Student Ambassador

Original post by dedennedillo

For about as long as I can remember my intention has always been to do zoology // ornithology as a subject for later study.
This year I resat my exams for Biology and Chemistry GCSE. In Chemistry I got grade 7, but in Biology I got grade 5 - same as before. Now I am doing Chemistry, Applied Science and Media Studies - and also have grade B for Mathematics 1-year course I got the first time I did Y12.
I still wish to pursue zoology / ornithology as subject for later study, but being unable to do A-Level Biology makes things an octave trickier methinks. But I do see that some courses do do zoology with a foundation course of biology. I was hoping some of you may be able to give me advice so that I can still pursue what I wish to do given the circumstances.

Hi, here at Bangor we do accept the applied science in lieu of biology as long as its the right level (equivalent to A level) and covers a good amount of biology. Otherwise anything you can do to show commitment like an on-line biology course, wider reading etc all adds to your chances of a place. Best thing is to contact uni admissions teams with details of what you are studying. They will be able to tell you if what you are doing is ok. Personally as you are also doing chemistry you sound a good student for natural sciences.

(edited 1 month ago)

Paths forward for ornithology / zoology?

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