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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 extensive knowledge of animal health and welfare, which will be practically applied using the laboratory, farm and animal unit to ensure that you have both the theoretical and practical knowledge to excel within your chosen career.

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

Year 1

  • Academic and Professional Skills
  • Comparative Anatomy and Physiology
  • Professional Skills in the Industry
  • Animal Handling and Welfare
  • Applied Animal Behaviour
  • Applied Animal Health and Nutrition

Year 2

  • Animal Welfare and Legislation
  • Leadership Skills in the Industry
  • Research Design and Statistical Analysis
  • Comparative Anatomy and Physiology
  • Professional Skills in the Industry
  • Wildlife Health and Rehabilitation Management

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 up to 16 hours a week 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 a students 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. You will gain placements working with laboratory and/or animal welfare-based industries. 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
  • 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 top up your studies on the final year of the BSc Bioveterinary Science or BSc Animal Behaviour and Welfare.
You may pursue roles such as/in the following industries: Welfare/animal health inspector (e.g. DEFRA, RSPCA), laboratory animal technician, welfare scientist, environmental enrichment co-ordinator, agriculture consultant, laboratory scientist, animal rescue and rehabilitation, reproduction technologist, management positions, animal welfare societies.

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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