BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Welfare (Clinical)*

Why should you apply to study this course?

If you have an interest in animals and want to gain knowledge of animal behaviour and animal welfare, then this is the course for you.  

What will this degree entail?

In this course, you will examine animal biology as it relates to the behaviour and welfare of animals. This includes developing an understanding of the complexity of the relationship between animal behaviour and animal welfare, in addition to providing you with an opportunity to learn about the range of research methods that can be applied in the scientific study of animal behaviour. You will learn about scientific applications of animal behaviour, including how an understanding of animal behaviour can help us to improve their welfare and facilitate safe, positive, human-animal interactions. The course will also introduce business management of relevance to working within animal-related industries.

This degree programme is pending validation by CCAB Certification Ltd. and the Animal Behaviour Training Council (ABTC) accreditation committees as delivering the academic elements necessary for an individual to achieve certification as a clinical animal behaviourist (CCAB).  

As with other Harper Adams University degrees, a key feature of this course is a placement year where you will get an opportunity to work in industry, enabling you to put knowledge into practice, develop your network and discover your future ambitions. In your final year, you will build on this experience and conduct a specialist research project.

What does HF mean? You might notice that the modules on this page have the letters HF in the code. This denotes a module that has been developed as part of the Harper Forward Curriculum Review, through which new versions of existing courses and some entirely new courses have emerged. Teams of university employees have worked with past and present students, employees, industry organisations and more to build these programmes, ensuring every route is able to shape the types of graduate each sector needs, is aligned to relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals and is built to ensure every student leaves the university embodying a specific set of Harper Graduate Attributes, namely that they Care for people and planet, have a Global mindest, have vital Digital skills, seek continued personal Growth, can apply Practical skills as well as knowledge and are both Inspired and Inspirational.

Careers

This course prepares graduates for careers involving animal behaviour and also in animal welfare and management. Increased awareness of animal welfare and behaviour issues has opened up more employment opportunities in the animal sector.

Organisations that house animals are becoming more aware of the need for employees to understand animal welfare and behaviour.

Welfare organisations are expanding, and nutrition and pharmaceutical companies have careers suitable for graduates with a sound welfare education. Many graduates move into higher education as lecturers or researchers and others choose further postgraduate study.

Entry requirements for 2024

Use the drop-down tool to select the qualifications you have or are working towards to see what grades would be required for access to this programme. If you can’t see your qualification or would like any assistance with entry requirements, please contact the Admissions team: admissions@harper-adams.ac.uk

Course fees

The latest fees for this course can be found in our fees and funding section. You will also find course related costs, specific to this course in this area.

Work placement

Students undertake a placement during their third year in an animal-related organisation of their choice. You may want to gain experience working at animal hospitals and shelters, research facilities, zoos and wildlife parks, veterinary practices, livestock farms, stables, catteries and kennels or other animal-based organisations.