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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 2025

The course

This programme 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.

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Course Information

  • The Applied Animal Health and Welfare programme is designed to prepare you for working within the animal sciences industry, helping to improve and monitor the welfare and health of animals in a variety of roles across the industry.
  • The programme will allow you to learn in-depth biology and physiology of the animal, and will include the science behind animal health, disease and welfare. It focuses on ensuring you have the necessary laboratory skills to work in a range of areas by completing a variety of lab-based modules in your first and second year. It will also allow you to perform basic diagnostic techniques.
  • It is important that you are able to handle and have a good overall knowledge of a variety of animals. You will therefore also be completing modules in practical handling skills across a range of species such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.
  • Upon successful completion of this foundation degree, you could progress to top up your studies on the final year of the BSc Bioveterinary Science or BSc Animal Behaviour and Welfare.

Year 1

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

Year 2

  • Livestock Health Management
  • Data Skills for Animal Scientists
  • Ethics, Welfare and Legislation
  • Wildlife Health and Rehabilitation Methods
  • Leadership Skills in Industry
  • Advances in Veterinary Diagnostic Technologies and Laboratory Science

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. 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 incorporates approximately 12-16 hours of contact time per week, 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.

The part-time route incorporates 9-12 hours of contact time per week, 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 12-15 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.

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 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 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.

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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