Overview
The UK life sciences sector is a cornerstone of the national economy. It employs around 300,000 people and contributes approximately £100 billion annually (Cambridge Network 2025).
You’ll explore many aspects of animal biology on this course, including:
- animal behaviour,
- ecology,
- evolution,
- cell biology and physiology,
- applied aspects of animal conservation and management.
Develop skills to thrive in the life sciences industry
Throughout our animal biology course, you’ll:
- gain laboratory skills such as equipment use and sample processing,
- learn lab administration skills including result reporting, good laboratory practices and conducting risk assessment,
- develop in-demand computational skills such as programming, data management and statistics using R, and modelling GIS and remote sensing.
You’ll carry out an independent research project in an area you're passionate about. Examples of past projects include:
- Assessing the impact of bumblebee parasites on their host populations.
- Reconstructing growth trajectories for wild Scandinavian populations of the invasive Pacific oyster.
- Do agri-environment schemes provide any benefits to foraging bats?
Exciting fieldwork opportunities
Our animal biology course gives you practical fieldwork experience in different settings.
We use the wide range of habitants on our biodiverse campus. You'll go on short excursions to sites near to campus to investigate various species. Skills you'll learn include environmental monitoring, fauna and flora identification, plant identification, and landscape history and management.
The course also offers the choice of two residential field trips:
- A 7-day field ecology and animal biology course in the Merops Field Station in southern France. It introduces you to the process of designing, conducting and analysing your own scientific project.
- A 10-day field course to South Africa to develop your field research skills. It develops your understanding of different physical and environmental processes and ecosystem functioning. Learn about the conservation and management challenges of international landscapes.
On either trip you’ll gain knowledge on:
- Regional biogeography
- Ecosystem processes
- Anthropogenic impacts
- Landscape evolution
- Conservation practices
- Anthropogenic impacts
The course fees do not include travel, accommodation, and subsistence on residential field courses.
Gain industry experience on a placement
As part of our degree in animal biology, you can undertake an optional placement with an organisation. These include environmental charities, government agencies or industry.
Previous students have worked in organisations including:
- NatureScot
- Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
- Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
- The Water of Leith
- The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
It’s a great opportunity to apply your classroom learning in a real-world setting. You'll also develop professional competencies, expand your network, and enhance your CV for your future career.
As part of the placement, you’ll complete an online careers course provided by Conservation Careers. It gives a great overview of relevant employment opportunities following graduation.
Specialise in an area of animal biology that interests you
During years 3 and 4 of this animal biology degree you can stay on the general pathway or choose to gain a specialism. To do this you need to complete three prescribed modules and a relevant dissertation project. These are the options:
- Biodiversity and Sustainability
- Data Analysis and Biostatistic
- Ecological and Evolutionary
- Physiology and Molecular
Top reasons to study with us
Faculty Facilities
Take a tour of Biology labs
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
Highers
ABBB
A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
28 points
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Essential subjects
To include one of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics.
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
Advanced Highers
ABB
A-levels
ABB
IB Diploma
32 points
Essential subjects
To include Biology and one of Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology or Physics.
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Essential subjects
To include one of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics at Scottish Higher Level or equivalent at Grade B, if HNC or Access course is not science related.
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Essential subjects
To include one of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics.
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Year 2 entry
Entry into Year 2 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.
Other qualifications
Advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications. For more information, contact our Admissions Team at admissions@stir.ac.uk.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore University of Stirling International Study Centre to see the routes available.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 80 overall with a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening and 20 in speaking.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
Semesters 1-4 cover a range of core modules including Cell Biology, Ecology, Evolution and Genetics, Biodiversity, and Practical Skills, plus additional modules in other disciplines.
Starting in semester 5, you'll have the option to specialise through the completion of three prescribed modules.
In Semesters 7-8, you'll work on an independent research project and take several advanced modules.
Modules
Course details
Teaching
The University of Stirling achieved five stars for teaching in the QS Stars University Ratings 2024.
Research-led teaching is at the core of your learning as our staff conduct world-leading biological research. Teaching is delivered in the form of lectures and practical classes, tutorials, seminars, computer-based learning and guided reading and research.
Fieldwork
Our BSc (Hons) Animal Biology course places great emphasis on practical training, hands-on experience and preparation for a wide range of careers in animal biology. We have a wide range of habitats on campus and regularly use them for practical work. Some modules also include short excursions to visit sites and species close to the University.
You will have the choice of two residential field trips:
-
A 7-day field ecology and animal biology course in southern France. It introduces you to the process of designing, conducting and analysing your own scientific project.
-
A 10-day field course to South Africa to develop your field research skills. It provides an opportunity to develop an understanding of different physical and environmental processes and ecosystem functioning, alongside the conservation and management challenges of international landscapes.
Travel, accommodation, and subsistence on residential field courses are not included in the course fees.
We know that residential field courses can be difficult for some students to attend and incur an environmental cost. To widen participation and increase sustainability in our teaching, there is the option of a non-residential field course module based on day trips around the University.
Assessment
Modules are assessed by a combination of coursework and examination completed during the semester. For many modules, the marks awarded for coursework contribute 40–50 percent of the final grade, but for some modules this is as high as 100 percent.
Work placement opportunities
Students can build strong links with industry through summer placements with local employers and large corporates. Our Careers Service can help you secure placements and offer the support and advice you need to plan your career, develop your employability, or think about further study.
Study abroad
You can study abroad in your third year through our well-established connections with North American, Australian and European universities.
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
Scottish students
This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,535 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy and terms and conditions.
International students (including EU)
Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000-£20,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Depending on what modules you study there pay be particular additional costs, e.g. field trips. Please check each module for specific details.
Travel, accommodation and subsistence on residential field courses is not included in the course fees.
Funding
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students from Scotland
Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will receive our Stirling Success Scholarship which is worth £5,000.
International students
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000-£20,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
Animal biologists can work in many different industries including agriculture, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and conservation.
About one-third of recent Stirling biology graduates have gone on to further study. They are pursuing further qualifications like an MSc or PhD.
