School Visits
Please note that we are fully-booked for museum-led visits until after Easter (16 April 2024). There is limited availability for self-led visits this term, please complete an enquiry form to discuss possible visiting dates.
There is no charge for our standard school sessions, but donations are welcomed to support the Museum learning programme (recommended donation of £3 per child).
If you are a UK based school or college (teaching under 18 year olds) wishing to visit the Museum with your class, please use the booking form to make a request.
All other groups should use our group booking form (including international schools) or language school booking form.
Please note that the Museum is closed on Mondays. We advise submitting a request at least 2 weeks in advance to avoid disappointment and allow time to receive a confirmation. However we are often fully-booked for visits a term in advance, and so the earlier we receive a request, the better.
Sign up to our teacher's newsletter or follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date with news on our schools programme.
School Visits COVID-19 guidance
We look forward to welcoming you to the Museum of Zoology. Before your visit, please check our website for COVID-19 safety guidance. The safety guidelines are in place to keep you and your students safe. On the day of your visit, if a member of staff or student in the class displays symptoms associated with COVID-19, they should not attend the visit.
If you have any questions about this guidance prior to your visit, please contact umzc@zoo.cam.ac.uk
Museum-led workshops for school groups
1-2 hours long led by a member of the Museum Learning Team. All Museum-led workshops support the National Curriculum, and are available for KS1-2. These taught sessions include hands-on activities and time exploring the Museum galleries, and are available on the themes of KS1 Habitats, Lower KS2 Skeletons and Upper KS2 Evolution and Adaptations. A member of our team will contact you to discuss the content and other details of your visit. We are happy to discuss bespoke taught sessions in the Museum, but because of the extra work required we do charge for this service.
Museum-led workshops are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during term time.
For further information on each available school session please follow the links below:
Museum-led workshops for Special Educational Needs
Our Museum-led workshops combine hands-on activities with gallery exploration, and are great for students with a variety of learning styles or additional access needs. Our teaching team are happy to discuss the content of your session and any other details that may be useful in helping your students make the most of their visit. To book a visit please complete an enquiry form or get in touch with any questions via umzc@zoo.cam.ac.uk
Museum-led workshops for Secondary Schools
Our Meet the Experts programme provides engaging, current science sessions, led by scientists from the University of Cambridge Department of Zoology and supported by the Museum learning team. Designed for KS3, 4 and 5, these sessions are inspired by the research that the scientists are undertaking, using hands on activities and an alternative perspective on the Museum’s collection to promote an interest in pursuing science in further education.
Please see here for more information and how to book: Meet the Experts for Secondary Schools
Self-led visits for School Groups
If our Learning Team is unavailable, or you do not want a taught session in the Museum, a self-led visit may be available. Booking is required for self-led visits. Please choose the self-led option on the booking form.
You can find activities to help you make the most of your visit here: Self-led Resources for Schools
These resources focus on a range of curriculum themes, from habitats to adaptation and are available for you to download and print before your visit.
Lunchroom
The Museum has a lunchroom available for schools to book Tuesday-Friday during term time. The lunchroom has a capacity of a maximum of 30 students and is scheduled into your day in 30-minute slots. Please see the schools booking form for details. You may like to combine a visit to the Museum of Zoology with one of the other museums close by. Visit the University of Cambridge museums website for details of sessions available:
