BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour & Welfare (with Foundation year)

A minimum of 72 UCAS points from one of the following routes:

• A levels – must include a grade D at GCE A level, preferably including a GCE A Level in Biology or Applied Science
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (preferably Animal Care/Management or Applied Science) – MMP
• Access to HE (Science) Diploma, Pass overall
• Scottish Higher – CCCC
• International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme – 24 points
• Leaving Certificate – Higher Level (Ireland) – H4, H4, H4, H5, H5 preferably including H4 in Biology
• T Level preferably in Science – P with D or E on the core.

The University of Chester considers a wide range of Level 3 qualifications and a wide range of professional / vocational qualifications.

Delivered at University Centre Reaseheath

Delivered at University Centre Reaseheath

• Introduction to Behaviour in Animals
• Animal Husbandry and Handling
• Animal Welfare Issues
• Animal Anatomy and Physiology
• Principles of Evolutionary Biology
• Behavioural Data Analysis and Project Design

Delivered at University of Chester

• Research Methods
• Experiential Learning*
• Behavioural Ecology*
• Adaptations to the Environment*
• Wildlife Crime and Conservation*
• Welfare and Behaviour Management
• Marine Animal Behaviour*
• Experiential Overseas Learning*
• Year Abroad Study Exchange (120 credits)*
• Enhancing your Employability through Work Based Learning*

Delivered at University of Chester

• Dissertation^†
• Animal Behaviour and Conservation*
• Physiology and Behaviour*
• Zoo Biology and Management
• Stress and Welfare Assessment in Animals
• Applied Conservation Genetics*
• Managing Marine Environmental Impacts*
• Behavioural & Evolutionary Ecology*
• Domestic Animal Behaviour and Welfare*
• Animal Parasitism: Medical, Veterinary and Ecological Aspects*

* Denotes optional modules

† Dissertation is a double-weighted module, worth 40 credits. Therefore, only five modules are selected for study at Level 6 (Year 3).

Please note that availability of optional modules is subject to availability of subject-specialist staff and the recruitment of the minimum viable student number (7 individuals). Should a module not be deemed viable for operation then all students who selected that module will be communicated to in writing in advance of the academic year, and will be informed of the alternative options available to select from. 

Students will be expected to make their module choices for the following academic year by March via a module selection service. Confirmation of module selections will be provided via the University of Chester Portal.

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:

30% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity

Teaching, Learning and Assessment:         360 hours 

Independent Study:                                       840 hours

Class sizes average between 8-35 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 Methods

Assessments are designed to encourage both academic skills and skills valued in the workplace. Assessments may take many forms including: essays, reports, data processing, presentations, academic posters, seminar discussions, interviews, critical reviews, portfolios of evidence and practical competency assessments. 

The approximate percentage of the course assessed by coursework is as follows: 

80% coursework 

20% written exams 

Feedback

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.

Students will be able to access course timetables for the academic year in September.

Timetables are subject to change, but most students can expect to spend 3-3.5 days per week on campus.

Students are given the opportunity to study an optional module at level 5 (Year 2) entitled Enhancing your Employability through Work Based Learning. Students are expected to source their own placement, and complete a minimum of 150 hours of work, completed in a 5-week block period. 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 the University of Chester may not be able to subsidise such costs.

Tuition Fees

As a student at UCR, 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 our student finance page. These fees are charged for each academic year of a course and are set by the college annually.

Tuition fees for international students can also be found on our student finance page.

Additional Costs

You may have the opportunity to attend day trips or study tours within the UK and overseas. These trips vary each year and costs would be confirmed prior to booking. 

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 texts is made available prior to enrolment. However, our campus library boasts sufficient stocks of all major texts to support student learning, frequently in e-book format, and the purchasing of texts is therefore not enforced.

Equipment Costs

• Boiler suit: £20-£30 OR UCR Polo shirt (£12)/UCR Sweatshirt (£16) + work trousers (£15-£20)
• Steel toe capped boots: from £30
• Lab coat: £13-£20
• USB drive: from £5

Prices of equipment are subject to change dependent on retailer.