Zoology graduates develop a number of transferable skills allowing them to pursue various careers beyond animal science, as the latest destinations data shows
This article is part of a series exploring the outcomes of graduates from subjects that are not included in What do graduates do?
After graduation, Zoology graduates found work in a variety of sectors. HESA's 2022/23 Graduate Outcomes data found that 42% were in full-time work 15 months after graduation, and a further 15.3% were in part-time work.
The following occupations were particularly popular among zoology graduates:
- Animal care services occupations
- Conservation professionals
- Sales and retail assistants
- Biological scientists
- Bar staff
- Laboratory technicians
- Agricultural and fishing trades
- Coffee shop workers
- Sports and leisure assistants
- Bar and catering supervisors
The unemployment rate for zoology graduates is 7.6%, slightly higher than the average for all graduates (6.2%). Despite this, it remains relatively low.
Activity,Percentage of graduates Full-time employment,42 Part-time employment,15.3 Full-time further study,13.4 Employment and further study,10.6 Unemployment,7.6 Other including travel or caring for someone or retired,5.9 Voluntary or unpaid work,3.9 Part-time further study,1.4
(Graduate Outcomes, 2025)
Further study
Some zoology graduates chose to pursue full-time further study (13.4%) or worked while studying (10.6%). Just under a half were doing Masters course, likely giving them the chance to explore topics like wildlife conservation, animal biology, or ecology.
Type of further study,Percentage of zoology graduates in further study Masters (Such as MA or MSc),47 Doctorate,24.1 Postgraduate diploma or certificate (including PGCE/PGDE),9.6 Professional qualification,9.5 Undergraduate degree (Such as BA or BSc),8.5 Foundation degree or HND or other undergraduate diploma (E.g. DipHE),1.3
(Graduate Outcomes, 2025)
Occupations of zoology graduates
A zoology degree equips graduates with valuable transferable skills like analysis, problem-solving, research, and IT skills, making them strong candidates for a variety of careers. Retail, waiting and customer service jobs were popular with 20.5% of this cohort working in these roles. They also gravitate towards childcare, health and education occupations (17.8%), other professional roles (12.1%), as well as science roles (11%).
| Occupations | Percentage of graduates |
|---|---|
| Retail, waiting and other customer service | 20.5% |
| Childcare, health, education occupations | 17.8% |
| Other professionals | 12.1% |
| Science | 11.0% |
| Clerical, secretarial, administrative | 10.7% |
| Other occupations | 5.5% |
| Business, HR and finance | 4.9% |
| Management | 4.3% |
| Skilled trades, crafts and other vocational occupations | 4.2% |
| Education | 3.1% |
| Marketing, PR, sales | 2.0% |
| Engineering | 1.3% |
| IT | 1.0% |
| Legal, social, welfare | 0.7% |
| Arts, design, media | 0.5% |
| Health | 0.5% |
Zoology graduates may have a lower professional-level employment rate (41.4%) compared to the all-graduate average (71.9%), but success can be measured in many ways. Even in non-professional roles, graduates can find fulfilling work, financial security, and feel that their work is meaningful. For example, 61% of those in non-professional level jobs said their work was meaningful.
Moreover, 21.6% of those in non-professional employment were working in animal care services occupations.
Location of employment
| Location of employment | Percentage of graduates |
|---|---|
| North West | 20.5% |
| Scotland | 13.5% |
| South East | 13.4% |
| South West | 11.4% |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 7.2% |
| East Midlands | 7.0% |
| Wales | 6.4% |
| London | 6.1% |
| East of England | 6.0% |
| West Midlands | 3.6% |
| North East | 2.1% |
| Northern Ireland | 2.1% |
| Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man | 0.7% |
Zoology graduates were employed in various locations across the UK. The North West accounted for the largest proportion at 20.5%, while the Scotland emerged as the second most common location. Additionally, a few individuals secured jobs in Hampshire and Kent, making the South East an appealing destination for zoology graduates.
Salaries of zoology graduates
The average salary for zoology graduates who did not undertake further study was £24,385 for women and £24,940 for men. In comparison, those who completed substantial further study after graduating earned slightly more, with average salaries of £25,248 for women and £25,161 for men. However, both sets of figures fall below the overall graduate averages of £30,031 for those without further study and £29,778 for those who pursued additional qualifications.
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