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? publications.
After graduation, Zoology graduates found work in a variety of sectors. HESA's 2021/22 Graduate Outcomes data found that 43% were in full-time work 15 months after graduation, and a further 15% were in part-time work.
The following sectors were particularly popular among zoology graduates:
- Animal care services occupations n.e.c.
- Conservation professionals
- Biological scientists
- Sales and retail assistants
- Bar staff
- Laboratory technicians
- Agricultural and fishing trades n.e.c.
- Receptionists
- Waiters and waitresses
- Other administrative occupations n.e.c.
The unemployment rate for zoology graduates is 7.1%, slightly higher than the average for all graduates (5.6%). Despite this, it remains relatively low.
| Activity | Percentage of graduates |
|---|---|
| Employment and further study | 10.1% |
| Full-time employment | 42.5% |
| Full-time further study | 12.6% |
| Other including travel, caring for someone or retired | 6.3% |
| Part-time employment | 15.2% |
| Part-time further study | 0.4% |
| Unemployment | 7.1% |
| Voluntary or unpaid work | 5.8% |
Further study
Some zoology graduates chose to pursue further study (13.0%) or worked while studying (10.1%). A third were doing a Masters course, enabling them to explore specific topics such as wildlife conservation, animal biology, or ecology. However, some graduates chose to step away from zoology and explore new fields of study.
| Type of further study | Percentage of zoology graduates in further study |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 10.1% |
| Doctorate (e.g. PhD, DPhil, MPhil, MRes) | 11.4% |
| Masters (e.g. MA, MSc, MBA) | 36.5% |
| Professional qualification | 18.7% |
| Postgraduate diploma or certificate (including PGCE/PGDE) | 6.9% |
| Other | 15.5% |
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.1 Retail and sales jobs were popular with 11.6% of this cohort working in these roles. They also gravitate towards childcare, health and education occupations (9.2%), clerical, secretarial and administrative roles (8.0%), as well as other professional roles (7.7%).
| Occupations | Percentage of graduates |
|---|---|
| Arts, design and media | 1.4% |
| Business, HR and finance | 3.0% |
| Childcare, health and education | 9.2% |
| Clerical, secretarial and administrative | 8.0% |
| Education | 2.8% |
| Engineering | 0.9% |
| Health | 0.5% |
| IT | 1.3% |
| Legal, social and welfare | 2.1% |
| Managers | 2.5% |
| Marketing, PR and sales | 1.9% |
| Other professionals | 7.7% |
| Retail, catering and customer service | 11.6% |
| Science | 7.4% |
| Skilled trades, crafts and vocational work | 3.1% |
| Other Occupations | 2.2% |
Zoology graduates may have a lower professional-level employment rate (51%) compared to the all-graduate average (75%), 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, 80% of those in non-professional level jobs said their work was meaningful.
Moreover, 21% of those in non-professional employment were working in animal care services occupations.
Location of employment
| Location of employment | Percentage of graduates |
|---|---|
| East Midlands | 8.3% |
| East of England | 7.6% |
| London | 10.4% |
| North East | 3.4% |
| North West | 14.3% |
| Northern Ireland | 2.6% |
| Scotland | 9.0% |
| South East | 12.4% |
| South West | 9.9% |
| Wales | 5.1% |
| West Midlands | 5.6% |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 6.6% |
Zoology graduates were employed in various locations across the UK. The North West accounted for the largest proportion at 14.3%, while the South East emerged as the second most common location. Additionally, a few individuals secured jobs in Cornwall, the City of Bristol and Devon, making the South West an appealing destination for zoology graduates.
Salaries of zoology graduates
Zoology graduates who didn't pursue further study after graduation earn an average of £23,776, which is below the overall average for all graduates (£28,731). However, those who completed significant further study since graduating have a slightly higher salary of £24,962.
Also in this series:
- What do agriculture graduates do?
- What do early childhood studies graduates do?
- What do criminology graduates do?
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