BSc (Hons) Animal Behavioural Science & Welfare

BSc (Hons)

Study mode Full time / Part time

Location Moulton

Level Level 6

Start date Sept 2025

Duration 3 years / 5 years

Awarding body University of Northampton

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This course is suitable for anyone wishing to work with animals and will give students the knowledge and expertise to enter a wide range of professions in this area.

Our on-site facilities include our Animal Welfare Centre, which houses over 137 different species from a variety of taxonomic groups. In addition we have a 440 hectare farmed estate, and bioscience laboratory, where you can gain hands-on experience alongside your studies.

We also have links with a wide range of animal organisations, such as Woburn Safari Park, Colchester Zoo, The Raptor Foundation, Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Dodson and Horrell Feed Specialists, RSPCA, Woodgreen Animal Shelter and Twycross Zoo.

This degree provides an in-depth look into animal anatomy and physiology, animal behaviour and welfare, principles of ecology, animal health and diseases and general animal husbandry.

You will develop your academic skills through study skills and research methods modules which gives you the skills required to succeed in your degree.

You will be able to gain hands on experience working with a wide range of species, alongside learning about the law and ethics behind the animal industry, animal science, veterinary health & animal epidemiology, animal behaviour and welfare and conservation.

In year two you have some choice to specialise in particular modules by taking three of the following four modules*:

Investigating Animal Health

Applied Animal Nutrition

Animal Learning, Cognition and Training

Principles and Assessment of Behaviour and Welfare

* The availability of choices may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.

For information about course fees please refer to our Fees and Financial Support pages.

The course is assessed through a rage of assessments including written assignments, poster presentations, seminar presentations, portfolios, exams and project work.

The course is mostly assessed through individual assessments, but elements of group work may be incorporated to bring in a real-world learning experience. At Level 6 you are also required to complete a dissertation project.

Our variety of assessment methods, providing students with an increased chance of success, have been commended by external examiners.

Recent graduates have successfully furthered their careers in a wide variety of animal-related positions including as Canine Hydro Therapists, Welfare Officers, Nutrition Specialists, Animal Technicians and College Lecturers.

Graduates from this course have also gone onto post-graduate studies in a range of animal related Masters programmes.

Others have gone on to teach further education in the animal sciences area such as Animal Welfare, Physiotherapy and Veterinary Nursing.

Please see the typical offer list below. A wide range of qualifications are accepted. Applicants may also be offered a place on the basis of their experience and we would welcome applications from mature students or people currently working in industry who are seeking Continuing Professional Development (CPD) or part time study opportunities.

Qualification	Grade Profile	UCAS Tariff Points
Level 3 Extended Diploma	MMM	96 points
Level 3 Diploma	DD	96 points
A-Levels	CCD	88 points
International Baccalaureate		24 points
Scottish Highers	CCD	57 points
Higher Irish Leaving Certificate	B1/B2/B3	78 points

We also have Access to Higher Education course options which can support you in gaining the qualifications required for a degree level programme.

International Students

If you are an international student looking to study this course please contact our Student Services team to check the entry requirements for details on country specific entry requirements.

The UCAS code for this course is D300.

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