Three students examining a labelled skeleton of a dog in a lab
BSc (Hons)

Animal Science (Pet Behaviour and Welfare)

Develop your understanding of animal biology and its relationship to animal health, disease, growth and development, in theory and practice.

With pet ownership levels on the rise, there’s increased demand for services such as professional trainers and behaviourists.

Our course combines elements of animal management and animal science, covering behaviour and nutrition, as well as health, reproduction and biochemistry.

You’ll learn from subject-specialist staff, and benefit from extensive campus facilities. You'll get hands-on with a range of domesticated and captive animal species, as well as laboratory classes and field trips.

Animal Behaviour and Training Council

This degree course is recognised by the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC), for the roles of animal trainer, animal training instructor, animal behaviour technician, and clinical animal behaviourist. As a graduate you'll also be eligible for provisional membership of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors.

Animal Behaviour and Training Council recognised programme logo

Course options

Key facts

Looking for different course options?

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

Year 1
  • Professional Skills for the Animal Industry (30 credits)
  • Animal Biology (30 credits)
  • Ethics of Animal Use (15 credits)
  • Introduction to Biochemistry (15 credits)
  • Animal Husbandry (15 credits)
  • Ecology and Evolution (15 credits)
Year 2
  • Research Methods (15 credits)
  • Commercial and Professional Skills for Animal Science (15 credits)
  • Behaviour (15 credits)
  • Animal Health Science (15 credits)
  • Professional Practice and Legislation (15 credits)
  • Nutritional Biochemistry (15 credits)
  • Reproduction and Development (15 credits)
  • Applied Behaviour and Training (15 credits)
Year 3
  • Capstone Project (30 credits)
  • Applied Nutrition and Feeding (15 credits)
  • Genetics and Genomics (15 credits)
  • Clinical Animal Behaviour (15 credits)
  • Advanced Animal Health Science (15 credits)
  • Applied Behaviour and Animal Welfare (15 credits)
  • Developing Clinical Practice (15 credits)
Module details

To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course.

Year 1
  • Academic and Personal Management Skills (20 credits)
  • Biological Concepts (Introduction to Laboratory Skills) (20 credits)
  • Maths for IT and Science (15 credits)
  • Chemistry for Life Sciences (15 credits)
  • Applied Industry Techniques (30 credits)
  • Independent (Themed) Project (20 credits)
Module details

You have the option to study this course over one year to achieve a CertHE. You’ll study the same modules as students on Year 1 of the BSc.

Facilities

As an Animal Science student, you'll:

  • study on our 150-hectare campus with its specialist animal centres and working farm
  • develop practical competence with a range of species
  • go on 'behind the scenes' trips and privileged experiences throughout your course
  • learn from high-profile subject specialist staff.

Take a guided tour and meet our students

Careers

Our Animal Science (Pet Behaviour and Welfare) degree is recognised by the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC). It prepares you to work as an:

  • animal trainer
  • animal training instructor
  • animal behaviour technician
  • clinical animal behaviourist.

You could also consider roles in related fields, with previous graduates finding success working in animal nutrition, animal welfare officer roles, quarantine officer roles, animal health inspection, nutrition company sales, and veterinary pharmaceutical and equipment supplies. You might also progress to vet school.

Graduation doesn't have to be the end of your time with us. You might decide to stay at ARU and study a Masters degree, such as our MSc Animal Welfare and Conservation.

Entry requirements

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Close to major cities, ARU Writtle is located on a picturesque 150-hectare campus in the heart of the Essex countryside.

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