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FdSc Applied Canine Behaviour and Training

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Subject

Animal Sciences

Level

Foundation Degree (Level 5)

Study Mode

Part-Time

Duration

3 years

Start Date

September 2024

The course

This distance/blended learning programme will provide you with a sound academic and practical knowledge of the disciplines and factors that relate to canine behaviour and training.

You will have the opportunity to acquire detailed knowledge of behaviour, management, training, instructing, consulting and counselling, and these topical areas can then be related to a range of situations.

The programme promotes motivational, positive reinforcement training techniques.

There is an increasing demand for people with a combination of both academic and practical competence within the canine industry. Therefore, the vocational and applied nature of the subject content is emphasised throughout the programmed. Your studies will include webinars, work based learning, asynchronous sessions and block session at University Centre Bishop Burton.

This foundation degree has been specifically designed to be appropriate to the needs of the canine industry and to enable you to progress to 'top up' to a full degree.

PLEASE NOTE: This programme is currently undergoing a refresh with the University of Hull to ensure you get the best experience and opportunity to achieve as an employment-ready graduate. The learning outcomes, modules, the teaching and learning strategy, contact hours and assessment strategies may change. Full details of the newly refreshed programme will be available later in the year and will be communicated to all applicants at the earliest opportunity.

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Course Information

  • Allow you to develop the necessary practical training and theoretical skills to enable a creative approach to solving behaviour problems.
  • Encourage appropriate professional attitudes such as initiative and motivation as benefits the needs of contemporary employers.
  • Develop your understanding of canine learning and humane training techniques to enable flexible and adaptable solutions to training both people and dogs.
  • Encourage professional training and advising ethics and integrity to ensure a high-quality service to customers and other professionals within the field.

Year 1

  • Academic Professional Skills
  • Principles of Canine Psychology and Basic Training
  • Professional Skills in the Industry
  • Progressive Dog Training

Year 2

  • Canine Development
  • Consulting and Coaching
  • Inappropriate Canine Behaviour
  • Canine Science

Year 3

  • Leadership Skills in the Industry
  • Advanced Dog Training
  • Research Design and Statistical Analysis
  • Canine Health Welfare and Legislation

You will need:

A minimum of 72 UCAS points OR a relevant BTEC Level 3 and significant industrial experience

Plus:

GCSE English 4 or above or equivalent and a suitable reference

UCAS points may be from qualifications such as T Levels, A Levels, BTEC Level 3 Extended Diplomas, 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 an applicants 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, they will need to evidence their 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.

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. Using the webinar software, staff are able to monitor engagement to ensure participations.

To complement all theory lectures, you will have asynchronous seminars that are used to reinforce concepts delivered theoretically. Online webinars focus on facilitating a student-centred approach to enhance the independent learning that takes place outside of the webinar lecture sessions.

Two compulsory work based learning modules enable you to gain valuable experience whilst working in the canine industry. A total of 152 hours of work experience across the duration of the programme is required.
Assessment includes written assignments, presentations, practical demonstrations and project work. There are no formal examinations. Opportunities for feedback on assessments are available prior to the final submission to support your development and achievement. Staff aim to return assessed work within a 20 working day timeframe (not including holidays) so that you can most benefit from the feedback.
  • Regular access to a computer with access to a reliable broadband internet connection to participate in webinars, download learning materials, watch recorded webinars and submit assignments. A headset with microphone will be required for participation in webinars and on-line tutorials.
  • Appropriate software: Microsoft Office and OpenOffice (freeware) are the only office suites supported.
  • Regular access to a dog to enable you to progress through the training modules. Dogs are not required to attend the block sessions on campus and therefore are not permitted on the college campus. We have a strict policy of not allowing dogs to be left in vehicles. Should you need to house your dog for the weekend, please contact our commercial boarding kennels by calling 01964 553138 or emailing kennels@bishopburton.ac.uk. Payment for this would be required. If you are supported by an assistance dog, please make prior arrangements with your programme leader.
  • Sturdy footwear suitable for practical sessions.
  • Training equipment will be required (i.e. clicker and target stick) for the training related modules.
  • 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 £150 to cover the costs of field trips, visits and additional add on certificates over the duration of your programme.
  • Block sessions are a compulsory element of the programme. You will need to fund their own travel, accommodation and food.
  • 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.
You may choose to progress to the BSc Canine Behaviour Management (distance learning) or BSc Applied Animal Behaviour and Training (delivered on campus) and later progression to an MSc programme at University Centre Bishop Burton.
You can pursue a variety of careers, such as: Dog trainer, behaviour consultant, assistance dog trainer, detection dog trainer, service dog trainer, Customs and Excise handler, training dogs for commercial work, rescue and rehabilitation work.

Validated by University of Hull

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

This includes transforming our programmes to ensure that we meet the evolving needs of the sector, giving you the best opportunities for success when you graduate by having a competence-based focus. Find out more about competence-based higher education.

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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