Are you interested in learning about the diversity of animal life on the planet? Would you like to gain practical skills in animal husbandry and understand the impact that humans are having on wild animals? Are you keen to gain industry experience as part of your degree? If so, our BSc (Hons) in Applied Zoology with placement year is the course for you.
It is more important now than ever to understand animals in the context of their place in ecosystems, so this course combines more traditional animal studies with more hands-on field work and animal care, with the addition of a invaluable placement year* for extra hands-on experience in the industry.
*To be eligible for the placement year you must achieve at least 50% in your Level 5 modules.
You will study all aspects of animal biology, from behaviour and ecology to physiology and welfare. You will be able to apply this knowledge in a variety of practical situations: animal husbandry, labs and field work. There is also a focus on wild animal health which explores diseases in animals from a global scale to the animals in rescue and rehabilitation centres.
Our teaching staff can bring their wealth of experience from working in zoos, ecological consultancy and conservation expeditions to the lecture theatre. Their first-hand knowledge will give you an insight into the type of careers you could pursue, and the opportunity to explore your interests in more depth.
From this course, you could progress into further research, such as a MSc or PhD programme, or move into industry.
The skills you would gain would enable you to pursue a career as a zoologist, conservation researcher, animal technician, science writer, or wildlife rehabilitator.
You could work in governmental organisations or NGOs such as the RSPB or Wildlife Trusts, or become learning or research officers for zoos or wildlife parks.
Find out more about the BSc (Hons) Applied Zoology with placement year, including entry requirements, modules, assessment methods and more using the drop down menu below.
A minimum of 96 UCAS points from one of, or a combination of, the qualifications below, ideally in a science-based or relevant subject:
Non-standard entry: applicants aged 21 years of age or over without standard academic qualifications may be able to demonstrate considerable vocational experience and transferable skills. Their applications will be viewed on an individual basis to assess suitability. Any applicant who has not received certification for prior learning experiences, but has worked within the discipline, will also be considered. In some instances, applicants may be asked to attend an interview or complete a written assessment to support their application.
Contextualised Admissions: to support access and participation in Higher Education, University Centre Reaseheath operates a contextualised admissions policy, which allows reduced offers to be made to students with certain characteristics and/or social background. Further information can be found in the UCR Contextualised Admissions Policy, available on the website.
International Students: University Centre Reaseheath accepts applications from international applicants, including those requiring visa sponsorship. Further guidance on additional entry requirements can be provided in the UCR Admissions Policy, available on the website.
Animal Husbandry and Handling
(Year 1)
*optional modules
(Year 2)
To move onto the placement year, you must achieve at least 50% in your Level 5 modules. Following your placement year, you will then progress onto your Level 6 modules.
Dissertation
Wild Animal Health and Epidemiology
Animal Cognition
Anthrozoology*
Applied Issues in Wildlife Conservation*
Biology and Conservation of Birds*
Biology and Conservation of Herpetofauna*
Biology and Conservation of Mammals*
*optional modules
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:
22% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity
Teaching, Learning and Assessment: 252 hours
Placement: 100 hours
Independent Study: 848 hours
Year 3:
15% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity
Teaching, Learning and Assessment: 174 hours
Independent Study: 1026 hours
Class sizes average between 10 – 60 for modules exclusively delivered on the programme. For those modules offered across several programmes, class size could be as high as 80 individual learners.
We design a wide range of assessments that will help you to develop industry standard skills and knowledge. In your first year, the assessments consist of a combination of timed online assessments, of multiple-choice questions and short essays, practical assessments and presentations and written coursework. This written coursework can be in the form of reports, essays or posters, depending on the module. For Husbandry and Handling, there are assessed practical sessions, reflections and talks.
For Introduction to Scientific Communication, there are quizzes based on the application of statistical software.
In your second year, there will be some variation, depending on the optional modules chosen, but there will again be a combination of timed online assessments and written coursework. This coursework may take the form of essays or case studies, or be based on laboratory practical sessions. For Experiential Learning, you may be creating a reflective blog, while for Research Methods, you will be writing a proposal and using statistical software to analyse data.
In your third year the placement will be a minimum of 9 months and will be credit bearing with a portfolio assessment and professional discussion required to evidence your achievement.
In your fourth year, the dissertation is assessed through a written proposal and scientific article which represents the research carried out by the student. Other assessments include a species management plan for the Biology and Conservation modules, and a seminar for Anthrozoology.
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
40% coursework
35% online timed assessments
15% practical assessments
Year 2
70% coursework
15% online timed assessments
15% practical assessments
Year 3
30% presentation and plenary discussion
70% placement portfolio
Year 4
65% coursework
20% timed online assessments
15% practical assessments
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 four days per week on campus in their first year, three days in their second year and two days in their final year.
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.
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.
Here you will find useful information about the services and support available at University Centre Reaseheath. Click to expand each item:
University Centre Reaseheath is committed to providing additional financial support to those who need it. To find out about the bursary schemes available visit our additional financial support page.
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 UCR 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.
All UCR 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 (providing you have applied before the UCAS equal considerations deadline. For full details on our halls of residence visit our accommodation page.
We have a team of dedicated professionals on hand to offer you support. These include our Student Services Team, Inclusive Learning Team, Library and Learning Resources Team and the Reaseheath Careers Service. You can find more information on the support provided at Reaseheath on our support page.
University Centre Reaseheath is proud to welcome international students. For more information, please visit our international students page.
