Zoologist
Career outlook for zoologist
UK Salary Ranges
Entry-level
£18,000
£18,000
Experienced
£48,000
£48,000
Currently employed in Scotland
11,400
Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
You would study animals, their habits and the places they live.
You could use your skills to:
- Develop medicines
- Improve the quality of crops and farm animals
- Control diseases and pests
- Protect wild animals and their homes
- Support animal rights
- Write policies for charities or the government
You would:
- Study animals in the wild or in a zoo or laboratory
- Collect, record and study information
- Use manual and computerised methods to look at cells, fertilise eggs and more
- Write technical reports
- Give presentations and publish information in journals and books
- Manage assistants
You could become an expert in one area, for example reptiles, insects, fossils, or the environment.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
Travel
UK employment status
Full-time
81%
Part-time
8%
Self employed
11%
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Find a jobTop skills
Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.
- Cooperating
- Verbal communication
- Written communication
- Working with numbers
- Observation
- Researching
- Attention to detail
- Analysing
- Understanding
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Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Qualifications
You would need a degree (SCQF level 9/10) in a subject such as:
- Zoology
- Animal ecology
- Animal behaviour
- Conservation
Many people who do this job also have postgraduate qualifications such as a Master of Science (MSc) (SCQF level 11) or a doctoral degree (SCQF level 12) in relevant subjects.
Most undergraduate courses ask for at least four Highers at B or above (SCQF level 6). Some universities may require AABB (first sitting) for entry.
The University of Dundee offers a BSc Life Sciences course which requires Highers in Biology and Chemistry plus National 5 Mathematics. This course has been developed for those with high academic potential who experienced disadvantage.
Useful subjects
Most courses require two subjects from:
- Biology
- Maths
- Chemistry
- Physics
Other science and technologies subjects may also be of value.
Helpful to have
You will normally have to get some voluntary experience before getting any work in this area, possibly volunteering on field survey trips or working in a research lab.