UCAS Entry Points
A minimum of 64 UCAS points
With over 9 million dogs in the UK and 24% of households having a dog (Pet Food Manufacturers Association, 2015) there is plenty of demand for a range of services including professional dog trainers, behaviourists, groomers, dog walkers and sitters, kennel managers, rehabilitation of rescue dogs, and specialised training for assistance dogs in several categories etc.
Start Date
September 2021
Course Length
Full-time: 2 years
In addition, these types of jobs offer a good opportunity for self-employment.
This programme aims to help raise the level and depth of knowledge and skill necessary to professionally and ethically undertake these roles though a mix of both theoretical study and practical experience.
Students will work in the college kennels with a range of dogs from different disciplines, breeds, sizes and temperaments, undertake training for different purposes, including obedience and agility and experience a fully operational commercial grooming parlour.
University Centre Reaseheath is an academic partner of the University of Chester. Foundation degrees, Honours degrees, and Cert Ed are awarded by the University of Chester.
What will I study?
This course is aimed at students who wish to develop a career within the canine industry, but specifically those involving aspects of canine behaviour and training. Students are provided with a combination of academic study with practical learning opportunities to develop a range of academic and professional skills, knowledge and practical competencies associated with working in the canine industry.
As a student studying canine behaviour and training, you will have regular access to the animal-centre facilities at University Centre Reaseheath, which boasts a kennel block and outdoor training arena.
Additionally, students can expect an interactive and personable learning experience that draws upon the expertise of our team of dedicated staff, with whom students can engage in study through the use of our first class facilities on campus.
Students are expected to study and complete 120 credits per year, which comprises six modules of study per academic level/year. All modules are mandatory study, which reflects the essential underpinning skills and knowledge required to apply across a variety of contexts within the canine industry.
In Year 1 (Level 4), you will develop essential knowledge and skills in canine husbandry & handling, canine anatomy & physiology, canine training & behaviour, and the role of dogs in society. A heavy emphasis at Level 4 study will also be placed on the development of academic skills via regular tutoring with an assigned course manager.
Year 2 (Level 5) sees a shift in emphasis towards more industry-specific skills and research-informed knowledge, including canine sensory perception, canine behavioural issues, and fitness & performance of canine athletes. A four-week (equivalent) work placement is also completed either full or part time.
Modules include:
Year 1
- Scientific Data Collection & Analysis
- Canine Husbandry and Welfare
- Introduction to Canine Anatomy and Physiology
- The Dog in Society
- Introduction to Canine Training
- Introduction to Canine Behaviour
Year 2
- Modification of Canine Behavioural Issues
- Fitness and Performance of the Canine Athlete
- Canine Sensory Perception and Behaviour
- Further Dog Training and Instructing Skills
- Work Based Learning for the Land Based Industries
- Experiential Learning
- Research Methods
Year 3
There is an option of studying for a third year to top-up to a BSc (Hons) degree.
Teaching and Learning
Overall workload
Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning and assessment activity, plus field trips. Your actual contact hours may depend on which optional modules you select, but the following information gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each year of the course:
Year 1: 30% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity
Teaching, Learning and Assessment: 360 hours
Independent Study: 840 hours
Year 2: 23% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity
Teaching, Learning and Assessment: 270 hours
Placement: 100 hours
Independent Study: 830 hours
Class sizes average between 8-40 for modules exclusively delivered on the programme. For those modules offered across several programmes, class size could be as high as 90 individual learners.
Assessment and Feedback
Percentage of course assessed by coursework
The balance of assessment by examination and assessment by coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessed by coursework is as follows:
Year 1
71% coursework
25% written exams
4% Practical
Year 2
71% coursework
21% written exams
8% Practical
Feedback is supplied via Turnitin or directly from the module tutor. The majority of submissions are made via Turnitin and feedback for coursework is provided within twenty working days after the submission date.
Written feedback will be supported verbally should the student require clarification. Formative assessment feedback will be provided at the time of completion where possible, with more detailed summative feedback for reports.
Course Information
Students are given the opportunity to study an optional module at level 5 (yr 2) entitled Work Based Learning for the Land Based Industries. Students are expected to source their own placement, and complete a minimum of 100 hours of work, which can be accrued either in a block or cumulatively over weekends and holiday periods. When selecting a placement, students should consider the financial implications associated with accommodation, travel/commuting and the possible need for a Disclosure Barring service (DBS) check, as UCR is unable to subsidise such costs.
*Travel arrangements at your own cost.
Entry requirements
- A minimum of 64 UCAS points
- 2 A Levels (grace C or above) to include Biology, Psychology, Chemistry, Human Biology or Applied Science, or
- Level 3 diploma (Merit Pass Pass or above) in a relevant subject, or BTEC Extended in Animal Management or Applied Science, or
- Successful completion of an Access to HE Diploma, or
- Mature students (aged 21+) will be considered on an individual basis
Further study
- There is an option of studying for a third year to top-up to a BSc (Hons) Degree in Canine Clinical Behaviour.
Career Options
- Professional Trainer
- Behaviourist
- Kennel Manager
Useful Information
How much will this course cost?
Tuition Fees
As a Higher Education student you will have two main costs to meet; your tuition fees and living costs.
Our full-time tuition fees for UK and EU students, entering University, can be found on the student finance page. These fees are charged for each academic year of a course and are set by the college annually.
If you are an international student or for the latest information on tuition fees visit the student finance page on our website.
Additional Costs
Additional costs may include the purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in order to undertake practical activities on the animal centre. These should include at least one pair of overalls (preferably blue/green) and a pair of steel toe-capped work boots/wellington boots. Additionally, students may wish to purchase other suitable outdoor wear in preparation for bad weather (i.e. waterproof/windproof coat). The above items can be purchased either independently or through the College online shop.
Although typically not associated directly with their canine studies, students have the opportunity to engage in both domestic and overseas learning opportunities with which to enhance their classroom-based learning experience. These may include opportunities to study zoological collections in Europe, but also undertaking conservation field courses within locations such as Southern Africa, South America and the UK.
The main emphasis placed on these field courses is the development of professional skills and the application of students’ knowledge in a novel, stimulating, yet challenging environment. Costs associated with the field courses range from £500 – £1000 (UK & Europe), and between £2,200 – £2,800 (South America & Southern Africa). Please note that precise pricing of all field courses is subject to change, pending availability and recruitment.
Students may also wish to purchase their own personal copies of recommended set-texts to assist them with their studies. A full list of recommended text’s is made available prior to enrolment, however, our campus library boasts sufficient stocks of all major texts to support student learning, and the purchasing of texts is therefore not enforced.
Additional financial support
University Centre Reaseheath is committed to providing additional financial support to those who need it. To find out about the bursary schemes available visit the additional financial support pages on our website.
Accommodation
All Higher Education students are given the opportunity to apply for residential accommodation. First year students are guaranteed accommodation and this offer is made to all applicants who live more than a reasonable daily travelling distance from Reaseheath and who apply before the 31st July of the year they intend to start their course. For full details on our halls of residence visit the accommodation pages.
Student support
We have a team of dedicated professionals on hand to offer you support when and if you need it during your time with us. These include our Student Services team, Higher Education Support Team (HEST), Library and Learning Resources and the Reaseheath Careers Service. You will find more information on the support provided at Reaseheath here.
How do I apply?
Before you apply you can come and visit us at one of our HE Open Events to see what we have to offer. Once we have received your application we will invite you to attend an Offer Holder Day.
Applications for part-time courses should be made directly to University Centre Reaseheath. When you have chosen your course, complete our online Part-Time Application Form.
Student contract
For students to get the best out of their time at University Centre Reaseheath, we must both recognise that we owe obligations to each other. These obligations are set out in our Higher Education Student Contract. Before you accept an offer of a place at University Centre Reaseheath, it is important that you read these contract conditions. If you are going to be living in Halls of Residence, you will also need to read the Student Accommodation Licence Conditions. Both of these contracts can be found here.
Click here to view the University Centre Reaseheath Student Protection Plan.
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University Centre Reaseheath – Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 6DF
Tel: 01270 613284 | Email: UCR@reaseheath.ac.uk
