Ecology or zoology degree?
Hi everyone!
I’m a year 12 and dead set on applying to do either an ecology or zoology degree, but I’m finding it difficult to choose between them.
They seem very similar, so I was wondering if anyone who has experience with both could clarify what key differences there are?
From what I can tell, zoology is more zoomed in on the actual animal while ecology looks at the networks of organisms. I find both interesting though and was wondering if anyone had any advice on deciding?
Thanks so much everyone!
I’m a year 12 and dead set on applying to do either an ecology or zoology degree, but I’m finding it difficult to choose between them.
They seem very similar, so I was wondering if anyone who has experience with both could clarify what key differences there are?
From what I can tell, zoology is more zoomed in on the actual animal while ecology looks at the networks of organisms. I find both interesting though and was wondering if anyone had any advice on deciding?
Thanks so much everyone!
Reply 2
Original post
by larsssHi everyone!
I’m a year 12 and dead set on applying to do either an ecology or zoology degree, but I’m finding it difficult to choose between them.
They seem very similar, so I was wondering if anyone who has experience with both could clarify what key differences there are?
From what I can tell, zoology is more zoomed in on the actual animal while ecology looks at the networks of organisms. I find both interesting though and was wondering if anyone had any advice on deciding?
Thanks so much everyone!
I’m a year 12 and dead set on applying to do either an ecology or zoology degree, but I’m finding it difficult to choose between them.
They seem very similar, so I was wondering if anyone who has experience with both could clarify what key differences there are?
From what I can tell, zoology is more zoomed in on the actual animal while ecology looks at the networks of organisms. I find both interesting though and was wondering if anyone had any advice on deciding?
Thanks so much everyone!
Hi! I'm in exactly the same situation as you! The truth is, from my experience, that it differs vastly between unis. Your best bet is to choose courses based on the modules offered rather than the name of the degree really. A lot of zoology degrees I've seen are just biology degrees with some optional modules on zoology centric topics in addition. Other zoology degrees are more ecology focused and combine animal biology with conservation too. By name, zoology is the study of animals and ecology is the study of interactions between the biotic and abiotic parts of an ecosystem. That being said, some zoology degrees will offer modules on plants or microorganisms just because the uni offers them on another course or because the zoology course has the same first year modules are just biology. Hope that helps, happy to discuss further!
Reply 3
Hi, hope this is still relevant! I’ve recently graduated from Exeters Conservation Bio and Ecology course, and have shared lots of modules with zoology students.
I can only comment on my course specifically, but there will be a lot of overlap (to the best of my knowledge, students could take any module from the other course). Both courses shared a number of compulsory modules (invert and vertebrate zoology, genetics, evolution, etc). Where it differs is key focus and employability. If you enjoy biochemistry and want to do lots of whole organism biology and physiology, zoology is the way to go. If you’re interested in quantifying interactions in populations, communities and ecosystems, go for ecology.
Both of them involve coding and basic stats, but ecology ends up much more maths heavy by third year. You can avoid the harder maths if you’re not interested in further study/research, but otherwise it’s better to bite the bullet and get on with it.
This isn’t the case for all courses though; less “research heavy” institutions often have bigger gaps between the courses, focusing more on field skills and surveying in ecology. If you’re thinking of further study it’s a better idea to go somewhere that gives you a proper natural science background, but if you’d like to work in environmental consultancy or land management the more practical courses are your best bet. Off the top of my head - Oxford, Exeter, Imperial, Lancaster etc for research, Bournemouth, UEA for practical fieldwork.
Heads up though - it’s pretty standard to need a Masters degree (or MSci) for graduate conservation jobs now, so that’s worth factoring in.
Good luck!
I can only comment on my course specifically, but there will be a lot of overlap (to the best of my knowledge, students could take any module from the other course). Both courses shared a number of compulsory modules (invert and vertebrate zoology, genetics, evolution, etc). Where it differs is key focus and employability. If you enjoy biochemistry and want to do lots of whole organism biology and physiology, zoology is the way to go. If you’re interested in quantifying interactions in populations, communities and ecosystems, go for ecology.
Both of them involve coding and basic stats, but ecology ends up much more maths heavy by third year. You can avoid the harder maths if you’re not interested in further study/research, but otherwise it’s better to bite the bullet and get on with it.
This isn’t the case for all courses though; less “research heavy” institutions often have bigger gaps between the courses, focusing more on field skills and surveying in ecology. If you’re thinking of further study it’s a better idea to go somewhere that gives you a proper natural science background, but if you’d like to work in environmental consultancy or land management the more practical courses are your best bet. Off the top of my head - Oxford, Exeter, Imperial, Lancaster etc for research, Bournemouth, UEA for practical fieldwork.
Heads up though - it’s pretty standard to need a Masters degree (or MSci) for graduate conservation jobs now, so that’s worth factoring in.
Good luck!
Reply 4
Original post
by larsssHi everyone!
I’m a year 12 and dead set on applying to do either an ecology or zoology degree, but I’m finding it difficult to choose between them.
They seem very similar, so I was wondering if anyone who has experience with both could clarify what key differences there are?
From what I can tell, zoology is more zoomed in on the actual animal while ecology looks at the networks of organisms. I find both interesting though and was wondering if anyone had any advice on deciding?
Thanks so much everyone!
I’m a year 12 and dead set on applying to do either an ecology or zoology degree, but I’m finding it difficult to choose between them.
They seem very similar, so I was wondering if anyone who has experience with both could clarify what key differences there are?
From what I can tell, zoology is more zoomed in on the actual animal while ecology looks at the networks of organisms. I find both interesting though and was wondering if anyone had any advice on deciding?
Thanks so much everyone!
Hey @larsss,
Great to hear you're interested in Zoology and Ecology! Just chipping in here with some considerations, as my undergrad degree is in Zoology, and my Masters is in Palaeontology, and I currently work for a university to advise students!
I'd say Zoology is a wider bracket of lots of subjects, including ecology. Zoology covers lots of subject areas and is a really broad subject, so you might expect to cover topics like conservation, behaviour, evolution, genetics, zoonotic diseases, parasitology, animal physiology, ecology etc as a part of a degree. You often study different types of ecology as modules on Zoology degrees, which means you'll cover lots of areas that overlap with ecology alongside it (e.g. the subject areas I've mentioned above) which can give you a broader understanding of how ecology fits into the natural world and help when you go for jobs/further degrees in the area.
I would personally recommend studying something like Zoology as your first degree, but make sure that the degrees you're considering have lots of ecology content if you're interested in it. Each university will teach Zoology differently, but you'll definitely find some that have more ecology content than others. We've got a range of Ecology modules in the Zoology degree here at Salford - ecology in action, wildlife behaviour ecology, tropical conservation and ecology, practical ecology and conservation...so you can give it quite a bit of focus, as you can probably tell! Some universities might do more, some less - gives you lots of choice in your options.
You'll also find that these kinds of degrees can have a variety of names, so consider ones called Zoology, Wildlife Conservation, Zoology with Ecology etc - its the content of the degree that matters, so keep your mind open to differently named degrees.
A lot of people in this sector/subject area will often do a more general undergraduate degree first, and then specialise either with a Masters or work based experience. Ecology can be (depends on where you go into) quite a practical, hands on field, so I would massively recommend considering universities that offer you a placement year as a part of the course, and one that gives you field work opportunities. Making connections in the field is the BEST way to get ahead and get you into graduate jobs, postgrad programmes etc, so I'd super recommend making placements a priority when considering degrees. We offer really flexible Zoology placements - you can go anywhere in the world, which is ideal for you finding your niche and spending a year working in it!
Whilst I've given my recommendations above, the choice is entirely yours - find the degree that sounds the most interesting and makes you excited to study it, and you'll have a great time. If you're dead keen on focusing in on Ecology on its own go for it! These kinds of degrees are all really interesting (I might be slightly biased...), so as long as its got what you're interested inside it and you're happy whilst studying it, you can't go wrong. Definitely visit uni open days to see how you like the vibe of the place too - means you can also have a chat with future lecturers about your interests too, which is always nice.
Good luck in your decisions - if you have any questions let me know, always happy to advise!
All the best,
Becky
University of Salford Rep
Reply 5
Original post
by larsssHi everyone!
I’m a year 12 and dead set on applying to do either an ecology or zoology degree, but I’m finding it difficult to choose between them.
They seem very similar, so I was wondering if anyone who has experience with both could clarify what key differences there are?
From what I can tell, zoology is more zoomed in on the actual animal while ecology looks at the networks of organisms. I find both interesting though and was wondering if anyone had any advice on deciding?
Thanks so much everyone!
I’m a year 12 and dead set on applying to do either an ecology or zoology degree, but I’m finding it difficult to choose between them.
They seem very similar, so I was wondering if anyone who has experience with both could clarify what key differences there are?
From what I can tell, zoology is more zoomed in on the actual animal while ecology looks at the networks of organisms. I find both interesting though and was wondering if anyone had any advice on deciding?
Thanks so much everyone!
Hey @larsss 👋
Totally get where you’re coming from — Zoology and Ecology do overlap quite a bit, and it’s brilliant that you’re looking into both before deciding! You're spot on: Zoology tends to focus more on animals themselves (e.g. anatomy, behaviour, physiology), while Ecology zooms out to look at interactions between organisms and their environment. That said, how these subjects are taught can vary a lot between unis.
🔍 Top tip: Don’t just go by the course title — check the modules at each uni. For example, at Bangor University (which has a great reputation for Biological and Environmental Sciences subjects 😜), we offer both a Zoology BSc and a Wildlife Ecology and Conservation BSc. Here’s how the modules compare:
🧬 Zoology BSc (Selected modules):
Year 1:
•
Ecology and Evolution
•
Principles of Life
•
Organismal Diversity 1 & 2
•
Practical & Field Skills for Biological Scientists
•
Ecology: Interactions in the Natural World
•
Evolutionary Biology
•
Becoming a Researcher
•
2 Optional modules (including field trip options and some ecology-focused content)
•
Animals and Their Environments
•
Dissertation Research
•
Science Communication
•
2 Optional modules (again, with ecology content available)
🌿 Wildlife Ecology & Conservation BSc (Selected modules):
Year 1:
•
Ecology and Evolution
•
Ecosystem Function & Services
•
Environmental Management & Conservation
•
Organismal Diversity
•
Practical & Field Skills for Environmental Scientists
•
Principles of Conservation
•
Conservation Practice
•
Becoming a Researcher
•
2 Optional modules (including field trip options and some overlap with Zoology)
•
Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
•
Advances in Conservation
•
Dissertation Research
•
Science Communication
•
2 Optional modules
As you can see, there’s quite a bit of overlap — so it really helps to dive into the specific content of each module and think about what excites you most. If you're a hands-on learner, you’ll also be glad to hear both degrees at Bangor include fieldwork, optional placements, and international field course opportunities 🐾🌍
Definitely check out open days where you can chat with lecturers and current students — that often helps make things clearer. A lot of Universities allows you to chat to students and staff online, in Bangor's case there is an area on the course pages where you can get in touch with staff and students.
In case you are interested:
Zoology BSc
Wildlife Ecology and Conservation BSc
Best of luck deciding 😊
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