Bioveterinary Science BSc Hons | University of Chester

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Course Summary

The University of Chester's Bioveterinary Science course takes a holistic approach to animal health. You will gain an appreciation for disease and its impact on animals in terms of physiology and welfare, as well as how we can diagnose and treat disease. You will also be able to explore the wider implications on animal health, such as the impacts on the human population and the environment.

Our Bioveterinary Science degree utilises the strengths of the University of Chester in the areas of biology, behaviour and welfare. These strengths offer an opportunity to study animal health and welfare not only at the physiological and cellular level but also at the behavioural level. You’ll learn from experienced staff, including qualified veterinarians, who are experts in their fields and will share their current research work to improve animal health and welfare.

Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB), our BSc Bioveterinary Science degree has been independently assessed to ensure that it provides graduates with a deep understanding of their subject, and that it will suitably prepare graduates for employment in the biosciences. To achieve RSB accreditation, courses must meet rigorous criteria that ensure students are trained in, and have practical experience of subject-specific technical skills and broader transferable skills.

Overall, studying Bioveterinary Science encompasses a comprehensive range of scientific disciplines, which support the care of animals and understanding of animal disease. We also place an emphasis on technical laboratory skills to provide you with the skills required to work in laboratories that support the veterinary profession. We aim to consider both the individual animal and groups of animals, and to produce graduates who can have an impact on animal welfare.

If you have any queries about the BSc Bioveterinary Science course after viewing this course page, please email the Programme Leader, Dr Nicola Beesley, via nbeesley@chester.ac.uk.

Why You'll Love It

Practical lab experience

student and teacher in bio lab in uniform

Experiential learning

biovet student at work placement with llamas

Taught by experts

What you'll Study

The BSc Bioveterinary Science course contains core modules at each level of study and you will consider how these topics link to animal welfare.

You will begin by considering what is normal; this is important so that you can understand what happens when things go wrong. You will cover topics such as cell structure, biochemistry, and energy processes to understand how the body works. You will consider how cells group together into tissues and organs and how these differ amongst animals. You will also learn about how to look after animals, their normal behaviour, and how animals can be managed to improve welfare.

You will build on this knowledge and consider infectious and non-infectious causes of disease as well as how the body responds to disease. You will learn about the different diagnostic tests available for disease.

Finally, you will integrate all your knowledge to consider how we can diagnose and control disease, including pharmacology, disease management, and the impact of disease on animals and humans.

We aim to provide you with experiential learning opportunities where appropriate.

Throughout the course, you will be trained in the practical laboratory techniques (e.g. microscopy, microbiology, molecular biology) required to become a Bioveterinary Scientist. Alongside this, you will be taught how to develop and test scientific hypotheses, how to design and perform experiments and how to analyse data. You will also consider the ethics of research and health and safety aspects. These components are the key to scientific discovery and will provide you with the tools to undertake a dissertation project in your final year.

There are currently no optional modules on the course.

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.

This course is delivered in three terms of ten weeks each. In each term, you study 40 credits usually comprised of either one or two modules. At Level 6, the dissertation module will be delivered alongside other modules.

Average scheduled contact hours range between approximately six and ten hours per week, depending upon the module, level of study, number of practical sessions and the complexity of the material being taught. The course is delivered through a mix of in-person and online learning. You can expect to take part in lectures and seminars.

Alongside this, you will develop relevant skills (e.g. laboratory techniques, digital literacy) through practical sessions and experiential learning.

Independent learning is an important part of this course. You should expect to spend an average of 30-34 hours per week on independent study, which might include following asynchronous learning material on the University’s VLE, using the University’s library, working with peers and preparing work for assessment.

Teaching will be delivered by experienced academics and practitioners in the subject. This will be supplemented by occasional guest lecturers and speakers if required.

There will be a broad range of assessment methods so you are exposed to the different types of task you might encounter in the workplace. These will include coursework in the form of written pieces, laboratory reports, data processing and presentations. In some modules, you may encounter group work and practical assessments, as well as end-of-module assessments. We continuously review the assessment methods used to ensure they adequately prepare students for graduate level employment.

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core - building your subject competence, confidence and key transferable skills to shape you into a world ready Chester graduate.

Entry Requirements

112UCAS Points

UCAS Tariff	112 points
GCE A Level	Typical offer – BCC-BBC, including a grade C in one of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry or Applied Science
BTEC	BTEC Extended Diploma (Applied Science/Animal Management): DMM
International Baccalaureate	26 points, including 5 in Biology or Chemistry
Irish / Scottish Highers	Irish Highers: H3 H3 H3 H3 H4, including H3 in Biology or Chemistry Scottish Highers: BBBB, including Biology or Chemistry
Access requirements	Access to HE Diploma (Science), to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above
T Level	T Level Science – Merit
OCR Cambridge Technicals	OCR Extended Diploma (Applied Science): DMM
Extra Information	Welsh Baccalaureate (core) and A Level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

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.

72UCAS Points

UCAS	72 points
GCE A Level	72 points from GCE A Levels, including grade D in A Level Biology, Chemistry or Applied Science
BTEC	BTEC Extended Diploma (Applied Science/Animal Management): MMP
International Baccalaureate	24 points, including 4 in HL Biology or Chemistry
Irish / Scottish Highers	Irish Highers: H4 H4 H4 H4 H4, including Biology or Chemistry Scottish Highers: CCDD, including Biology or Chemistry
Access requirements	Access to HE Diploma (Science): Pass overall
T Level	T Level Science – Pass (D or E on the core)
OCR Cambridge Technicals	OCR Extended Diploma (Applied Science): MMP
Extra Information / General Entry Requirements	Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A Level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs. If you are a mature student (21 or over) and have been out of education for a while or do not have experience or qualifications at Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels), then our Foundation Year courses will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to succeed in your chosen degree.

Fees and Funding

£9,250per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,250 a year, or £1,540 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

The University may increase these fees at the start of each subsequent year of your course in line with inflation at that time, as measured by the Retail Price Index. These fee levels and increases are subject to any necessary government, and other regulatory, approvals.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

£14,450*per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £14,450 per year for a full-time course.

This fee is set for each year of study. All undergraduate students are eligible for international and merit-based scholarships which are applicable to each year of study.

For courses with a Foundation Year, the tuition fees for Year 1 are £10,750 and £14,200 for Years 2-4 in 2025/26.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.

All successful applicants for this course should be vaccinated against Hepatitis B and Tetanus. This is essential under Health and Safety Regulations for those who come into contact with blood and/or blood products. Whilst students may still enrol on this course, if they choose not to be vaccinated their learning experiences and choice of work placement may be limited.

Compulsory field trips are covered by tuition fees. However, the course will involve additional costs not covered by tuition fees. Students are currently 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. Students are also required to have waterproof clothing and boots. The quality and cost of these are at the students’ discretion, but must be suitable for fieldwork/trips in the UK in the winter months. Costs for walking boots start at around £40.

Other additional costs may include the purchase of books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and travel to placements.

Students who are living away from home during their time at university will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.

Who you'll Learn from

Dr Nicola Beesley

Senior Lecturer in Bioveterinary Sciences, Programme Leader BSc Bioveterinary Science

Dr Kelly Gouveia

Lecturer in Bioveterinary Sciences, Programme leader BSc Animal Welfare

Dr Krista McLennan

Head of the School

Dr Emmeline Howarth

Programme Leader for Animal Behaviour

Dr Robert Coleman

Senior Lecturer in Biological Sciences, Programme Leader BSc Biology

Dr Jonathan Kyffin

Lecturer in Biology

Where you'll study Exton Park, Chester

The location

Modern learning resources and library

Seaborne library, seating and reception area.

Student Services

Fitness facilities

A male student wearing goggles is swimming in the training pool between the red rope lane marker lines.

Chapel, chaplaincy and multi-faith spaces

Accommodation

Catering

Your Future Career

Job Prospects

Our graduates have pursued further education including Masters and PhDs as well as training to be veterinary nurses or veterinary surgeons. Additionally, some graduates have secured positions with the RSPCA, in education, diagnostic laboratories and animal export industries.

Jobs we expect graduates to go into include:

Veterinary diagnostic laboratories
Animal reproduction laboratories
Animal welfare/agricultural assessment, e.g., charity advocacy
Research and development – veterinary, pharmaceuticals, agriculture
Civil service or other public sector, e.g., APHA
Food industry with food safety
Animal nutrition
Education
Journalist/science communications
Sales and marketing related to nutrition
Sales and marketing related to healthcare and diagnostics
Postgraduate specialism – e.g., veterinary science/medicine to become a veterinary surgeon, veterinary nursing, veterinary physiotherapy

Careers Service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course, and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.

Bioveterinary Science BSc (Hons)

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