Skip to main content
Animal Sci gallery Animal Sciences degree students learning to use soil testing kit

BSc (Hons) Bioveterinary Science (Top Up)

Apply today Enquire about this course Download PDF

Subject

Animal Sciences

Level

Bachelors Degree (Level 6)

Study Mode

Full-Time

Duration

1 year full-time

Start Date

September 2025

UCAS Course Code

BV24

The course

Our Bioveterinary Science (Top Up) degree programme is designed to help you develop and enhance your specialist knowledge following completion of a relevant Level 5 qualification.

This programme will help you to develop sound academic and practical knowledge of the disciplines and factors related to animal science in relation to a range of species and areas of the animal industry, preparing you for an exciting career within veterinary and/or animals science.

There is an increasing demand for people with a combination of both academic and practical competence within the animal industry, which is why this course allows you to learn in a vocational and applied nature. You will complete both lessons and assessments on our animal unit and farm, working with a variety of species, as well as developing practical science and industry skills within our state-of-the-art labs.

Course Information

  • To prepare you for working within the veterinary or animal science industry, allowing you to learn in-depth biology and physiology of animals. The programme includes the science behind animal health, disease and welfare.
  • To enhance your knowledge, helping you to further specialise and gain skills required to work across the veterinary and animal science industry.
  • To ensure that you have the necessary laboratory skills to work in a range of areas, completing a number of lab-based modules. There is a focus towards production animals within the programmes as this is a key area of employment.
  • To allow you to specialise in an area of research that you are interested in that reflects the interdisciplinary nature of the degree programme.
  • Genetics and Biotechnologies
  • Disease Process, Immunology and Healing
  • Laboratory and Veterinary Diagnostic Techniques
  • Advanced Livestock Science
  • Final Project

You will need to have an appropriate subject relevant HND or Level 5 qualification, ideally within animal health, behaviour and/or management. Other science-based courses can also be considered.

You will also need an appropriate academic reference.

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 grade C/4 English or equivalent is not held, English language proficiency level such as International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 6.0 overall (with a minimum 5.5 in each skill) will need evidencing.

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, students 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 the independent learning that takes place outside of the classroom.

The full-time route incorporates approximately 9 hours of contact time per week, encompassing lectures, seminars, practicals and tutorials. Additional to this time will be final project support sessions that you can book with your supervisor.

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.

You can expect to receive your timetable during induction week.

Relevant extra-curricular activity and/or work experience is encouraged to enhance your learning.
Assessment includes written assignments, seminars, poster presentations, training practical, practical reports and demonstrations. 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.
  • A tablet, laptop or stationery to take notes in lectures and seminars.
  • College-branded white laboratory coat.
  • College-branded blue kennel coat.
  • All college-branded equipment will need to be purchased from our online shop.
  • Appropriate waterproof outdoor clothing and footwear for outdoor practical sessions.
  • 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.
  • A wide range of resources are available for use both on and offsite for Final Projects but it may not be possible to purchase/service all requests, therefore students need to be aware that they may need to self-fund some elements.
  • 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.
Graduates may be able to progress to the MSc Applied Animal Behaviour and Training or MSc Animal Behaviour and Welfare, which are available through blended learning at University Centre Bishop Burton.
Graduates can pursue roles as a welfare inspector (e.g. DEFRA, RSPCA), laboratory animal technician, welfare scientist, environmental enrichment co-ordinator, agriculture consultant, laboratory scientist, animal rescue and rehabilitation, reproduction technologist, in research, management positions or animal welfare societies. We have had graduates go onto successful roles within the Animal Plant and Health Agency, IDEXX labs and Rainbow Equine Hospital.

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

Experience our campus for yourself

L Live on campus banner Students socialise outside accommodation at University Centre Bishop Burton

Upcoming Event

University Centre (Post-18) Open Event

Saturday, 18 January 2025 - 10:00 - 13:00

View all events
Apply now