Animal Welfare Science BSc (Hons)

Year 1 involves studying fundamental principles and concepts, and developing the core technical skills required for progression of study in Years 2 and 3. You will develop key employability skills for working in the animal care industry, including core scientific skills in animal science, data handling, and animal husbandry and management.

MODULES

• Science of Life (40 Credits) Core: You will learn essential concepts and skills that are integral to a degree in biological sciences. Through theory and practical sessions, this module will guide you through every level of biological organisation, from the smallest cellular structures to studying an introduction to animal behaviour and ecology. Throughout this module, you will develop academic, practical, and analytical skills that will support you through your studies in animal welfare science.
• Exploring and Researching Life Sciences (40 Credits) Core: You will investigate the fundamentals of scientific research, including how to develop research questions, work with relevant literature, understand basic statistical concepts and communicate research findings. Key biological topics, such as advanced physiology, genetics, and animal behaviour will be covered, emphasising connecting theory to practical, hands-on experience.
• Animal husbandry and welfare (20 credits) Core: You will gain practical understanding and experience of good husbandry practices and in maintaining animal health, welfare and production. You will learn about normal and abnormal behaviour; animal nutrition including feed analysis; animal reproduction and reproductive technologies; as well as disease management. You will have the opportunity to enjoy practical sessions and field trips that will provide further opportunities for you to engage with animal care stakeholders and further your employability skills.
• Project-Based Learning in Biosciences (20 Credits) Optional: You will have the opportunity to gain further practical skills and develop a research project. You will explore various field techniques relevant to animal welfare science, including animal behaviour and health monitoring. Working in groups, you will apply these skills and your previous training in formulating research questions to carry out a research study.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If, during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us. 

Year 2 involves studying concepts and methods in welfare assessment, where you will have the opportunity to explore and learn about the science of animal welfare and how to carry out welfare assessments using robust methodology. You will also explore the links between animal health and welfare, learning about common diseases that affect domestic species and how these can be effectively managed. You will also explore other relevant concepts in animal welfare science, particularly focusing on animal minds, sentience and welfare in more depth. This year will also involve a work placement or optional field trip, which will help to develop your professional and key employability skills in the specialist area of animal welfare science.

MODULES

• Concepts and Methods in Welfare Assessment (40 credit) Core: This module will help you develop key skills in becoming an animal welfare scientist. In particular, you will learn a wide variety of methods available for welfare assessment, from behavioural to physiological measures. We will empower you with theory informed practical skills to assess animal welfare in a variety of real-life settings. For this, case studies will be used to develop your ability to assess animal welfare in the role of an animal welfare officer/advisor. Here, you will also gain relevant practical laboratory skills in stress measurement, which are key to current welfare assessment practices. There will also be a field trip that will help you put some theoretical skills into practice, particularly in animal welfare assessment, thus enhancing your career readiness for graduate employability.
• Animal Health and Welfare (20 credits) Core: You will further develop your understanding of the biological links between animal health and welfare, as well as build on your knowledge on animal disease. You will learn from experienced staff how to investigate animals for signs of disease across a variety of species. You will also have the opportunity to learn about a range of diseases of infectious and non-infectious nature that affect domestic species, helping to shape your knowledge and practical experience for the animal care industry. For this, you will be placed in the role of an animal health and welfare advisor to solve real world case scenarios in this field.
• Animal Minds, Physiology and Behaviour (20 Credits) Core: From lizards basking to lions hunting, animal behaviour is the product of interactions between physiology, cognition and environmental cues. This module explores how these processes shape behaviour, using a range of invertebrate and vertebrate examples. Through blended, active learning, you will gain skills in critical evaluation, study design, and scientific communication. Topics include sensory attraction, social learning, competition, mating, biological clocks, memory and animal cultures. You will also examine real-world applications, addressing animal welfare, human impact, climate change, and conservation efforts like species preservation and captive breeding programs.
• Professional Placement/Language Module/Term Abroad (40 Credits) Optional: Here you can put theory into practice and build essential skills for your future career by gaining invaluable real-world experience through either a work placement or school-level activity (e.g., an overseas field trip). You will develop practical, analytical and professional skills relevant to animal welfare science, whilst also ensuring transferable skills that are vital in any graduate-level role. This module will empower you to explore new environments, apply your knowledge, and discover how your academic training translates into real-world impact, further boosting your confidence and career readiness.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If, during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

In Year 3, you will specialise in a more critical approach to animal welfare topics, such as human animal interactions and human behavioural change, where you will learn about current issues at the forefront of human animal interactions and psychological models for effective human behavioural change. You will develop relevant knowledge and understanding in the field of animal ethics and welfare law, understanding key principles for ensuring continued improvement of animal welfare and current legislation. You will learn about managing your own business in the animal care sector and explore topics on applied conservation to broaden your understanding of animal welfare science. You will also carry out an independent research project on a topic of your choice under the supervision of a tutor.

MODULES

• Human Animal Interactions & Human behavioural change (20 credits) Core: Here, you will learn about the different nature of human-animal interactions and implications for animal welfare and ethical treatment. You will also develop comprehensive understanding on the psychology of human behavioural change to achieve successful animal welfare outcomes across a variety of industries. You will also have the opportunity to develop advanced communications skills for a successful future career in this area.
• Animal Ethics and Welfare Law (20 credits) Core: This module is designed to advance your understanding on the breadth of animal characteristics and associated welfare issues that are morally relevant for ethical and legislative concern. Here, you will also learn how to critically evaluate animal welfare legislation in light of the moral standing of animals.  You will further acquire important practical skills in legislation and policy development, which are key to ensuring sustained ethical treatment of animals under human care.
• Applied Conservation (20 Credits) Core: You will learn a broad range of conservation strategies and techniques and how they can be used and applied to the conservation of wild animals. This module enables you to consider what your existing knowledge of genetics, ecology and animal behaviour can bring to animal conservation. The module will include key case studies along with a strong practical component giving you the chance to try out skills in genetic analysis to study population management. You will also demonstrate learning of new perspectives in conservation genetics, wildlife forensics, animal behaviour and management and reflect on their applicability to conservation efforts and welfare improvements.
• Biological Enterprise (20 Credits) Core: This module will build a wider awareness of the bigger picture of animal welfare science and biological sciences for success in your chosen career. Themes will include sustainability, business, finance, change management and communication skills to enhance your graduate employability. You will have the opportunity to gain an additional qualification in Carbon Literacy within this module.
• Natural Sciences Dissertation (40 Credits) Core: You will engage in the research of a selected topic relevant to animal welfare science. You will have the opportunity to delve deeply into a subject of your choice. Throughout the process, you will develop your critical thinking and analytical skills, whilst conducting this independent research with the support of a lecturer. The dissertation represents a substantial piece of scholarly work that demonstrates your understanding and application of scientific concepts relevant to animal welfare science. Additionally, you will refine your skills in academic writing and effective communication of complex ideas. Overall, the dissertation represents the culmination of your education, preparing you for a career in animal welfare science.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If, during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS Academic: Undergraduate: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
• Postgraduate: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

For more information on our entry requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet, some of which will be mandatory, others as part of optional modules.

Mandatory costs:

• All students carrying out laboratory work will be required to purchase a lab induction pack with a lab coat and other required equipment. The current price is £30.00, but this may be subject to price increases depending on purchase costs. Second-hand packs at a slightly lower price are subject to availability.

Optional costs:

• If you choose Optional modules that include travel overseas you will be responsible for the full cost of the trip. In the past, this has been between £2,000 and £3,000 for a two-week overseas trip, but future costs may vary due to global price fluctuations. The University will endeavour to revise the expected estimation of costs on an annual basis.
• You can opt to take part in the Welcome Week trip which will involve a contribution of £10.
• You should also consider having waterproof clothing and sturdy walking boots. The quality and cost of these are at your discretion but must be suitable for fieldwork/trips in the UK in the winter months.

Other additional costs may include (but are not limited to):

• The purchase of books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and travel to placements.
• If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.
• You may also wish to consider the cost of graduation and the hire or purchase of your robes as well as travel and accommodation at the event.