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Subject

Animal Sciences

Level

Foundation Degree (Level 5)

Study Mode

Full-Time

Duration

2 years full-time/3 years part-time

Start Date

September 2023

The course

This course will allow you to develop a range of practical and knowledge-based skills related to the animal industry. You will learn about a wide range of animals, from companion and livestock to wildlife. You will gain an underpinning of animal behaviour and within the second year take up specialised modules that allow you to focus towards your chosen career.

The programme allows you to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations using our excellent animal facilities.

Compulsory work experience will allow you to develop practical experience in the workplace, whilst business and employment elements improve transferable skills and enable you to set up your own business.

Course Information

  • Provide you with sound academic and scientific knowledge of concepts and practical knowledge of the disciplines and factors that underpin and support the animal management industry in your chosen field.
  • Encourage you to develop professional attitudes such as initiative and motivation as benefits the needs of employers within the animal management industry.
  • Provide you with the knowledge, intellectual rigour and skills development required for various aspects of the animal management industry.
  • Give you the practical skills needed for working within the animal industry in your chosen field.
  • Allow you to demonstrate an awareness of health, welfare and ethical issues related to a range of species.
  • Develop your analytical skills and appropriate professional attitudes required for working in the animal industry.
  • Ensure that you can demonstrate and develop existing skills, as well as acquiring new competences, in the animal management industry.

Year 1

  • Academic Professional Skills
  • Comparative Anatomy and Physiology
  • Animal Health and Nutrition
  • Professional Skills in the Industry
  • Principles of Animal Behaviour
  • Applied Animal Husbandry

Year 2

  • Animal Welfare and Legislation
  • Behaviour of Companion Animals
  • Leadership in the Industry
  • Research Design and Statistical Analysis
  • Wildlife Management
  • Option modules: Behaviour and Management of Production Species, Fundamentals of Animal Training, Exotic Animal Management, Wild Mammal Behaviour or Ecology and Conservation (Option modules will run where there are sufficient student numbers, otherwise an alternative option module may be offered.)

You will need:

A minimum of 80 UCAS points

GCSE English Language at grade 4 or above, or an equivalent qualification

An appropriate academic reference

UCAS points may be from qualifications such as A Levels, BTEC Level 3 Extended Diplomas, T Levels, Access to Higher Education Diplomas, and City and Guilds Advanced Technical Diplomas amongst others. Please use the UCAS Tariff points calculator to determine the UCAS points value of your qualifications.

Life and/or experience of non-traditional students will be taken into account when considering applications. The successful completion of an entry task may be required when considering applications without the required formal entry qualifications.

If your first language is not English, or a Tier 4 student visa to study is required and GCSE English at grade 4/C or equivalent is not held, you will need to evidence your English language proficiency level, such as International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 6.0 overall (with a minimum 5.5 in each skill).

Advanced entry may be possible due to prior experience or certificated learning; applicants will be invited to complete the recognition of prior learning approval process.

If you have an appropriate HNC, you can apply for direct entry to Year 2.

This programme is delivered with a variety of learning and teaching approaches to include all students' learning styles and preferences.

For all modules, theory lectures are delivered that aim to deliver the core content and provide the underpinning knowledge. To complement the theory lectures, you will have group seminars/practical sessions that are used to reinforce concepts delivered theoretically.

The teaching methods focus on facilitating a student-centred approach to enhance your independent learning that takes place outside of the classroom.

The full-time route includes approximately 16 hours of contact time, encompassing lectures, seminars, practicals and tutorials.

You are also expected to carry out a significant amount of independent study in addition to contact time (approximately 25-30 hours a week). Independent study includes reading around the subject, preparing for tutorials and seminars, preparing for, and completing, module assessments; forming an essential part of your learning journey.

A part-time option is also available.

You can expect to receive your timetable during induction week.

Work experience is an integral part of the programme. Past students have gained placements all over the country working with companion and exotic animals. A total of 152 hours is required in a related part of the industry over the duration of the course.
Assessment includes practical reports and demonstrations, written assignments, portfolios, scientific posters and group or individual presentations. There are no formal examinations. Opportunities for feedback on assessments is available prior to the final submission to support your development and achievement. Staff aim to return assessed work within a 15 working day timeframe (not including holidays) so that you can most benefit from the feedback.
  • A tablet, laptop or stationery to take notes in lectures and seminars.
  • College-branded white laboratory coat.
  • College-branded blue kennel coat.
  • Appropriate waterproof outdoor clothing and footwear for outdoor practicals.
  • Strong steel toe capped boots for practical sessions.
  • The college has a strict policy of not allowing work boots inside college buildings you will need to have alternative footwear (shoes or trainers) to attend lectures and tutorials.
  • Roughly 300 to cover the costs of field trips and visits over the duration of your programme.
  • Training equipment will be required (i.e. clicker and target stick) for the training related modules (this module can be selected as an option on the programme).
  • On successful completion of the programme, you will have the opportunity to graduate at a ceremony wearing formal dress. The hire of the formal dress is an additional cost.
Upon successful completion of this foundation degree, you may progress to final year of the following programmes: BSc Bioveterinary Science, BSc Applied Animal Behaviour and Training, BSc Animal Behaviour and Welfare or BSc Wildlife and Conservation Management.
Work in animal rescue and rehabilitation, within zoos and wildlife parks, as an animal facility manager, kennel and cattery manager, pet store manager or pursue a career within conservation.

Validated by University of Hull

We are proud to collaborate with University of Hull on the validation of this course.

View the policies and procedures you would be agreeing to comply with by registering for this programme. This encompasses University of Hull Quality and Standards, including a Guide for Collaborative Provision students.

Financial Information

Find the full details of the fees associated with this programme and the financial support available.

Careers this course could lead into

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