BSc (Hons) Animal Production Science

The course

This is an applied science course focusing on farm animals. If you are interested in livestock production systems, anatomy and physiology, reproduction, genetics, nutrition and welfare then this is the course for you.

This course will allow you to develop your practical and laboratory skills using a range of real-life scenarios. Year 3 is a full placement year in industry as part of your degree, enabling you to put knowledge into practice, develop your network and discover your future ambitions. When you return from placement you will enter Year 4 where you will carry out a scientific investigation of your choice, alongside core and optional modules to further your interests.

Duration

4 years (full-time) including a one-year work placement. A three year programme is available for applicants with at least two years, full-time relevant work experience. Please contact Admissions for further information on this option.

Careers

There are a wide range of career opportunities available to Animal Production Science graduates in animal nutrition, animal health, advisory roles and technical sales. Your in-depth knowledge of farm animal health and production systems will qualify you for careers such as animal health and welfare inspector for a local authority or Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).

Or you may choose to work in the animal feed industry developing new diets or in an animal health company, for instance. Some students prefer to use their skills as enterprise managers, or to go on to postgraduate study.

Entry requirements for 2023

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.

Teaching and learning

What you study

The degree will give you a good understanding of how animals’ bodies work, what is needed to maintain health and what happens in the case of disease. The degree is a farm animal-based course but some core modules consider other species. There are also opportunities to choose some modules which relate to business and companion animals. This allows you to specialise or gives you the flexibility to study over a wide area. An Honours Research Project in your final year gives you the opportunity to conduct research into an area in which you are particularly interested.

Work placement

Placement is an important part of the course, giving you the opportunity to put theory into practice. In the past students have worked for ancillary industries such as animal feed manufacturers, research organisations, quality assurance companies, and animal health companies, as well as livestock enterprises. This period is supervised by Harper Adams and we will help you to find a placement that suits your career ambitions. The skills, contacts, confidence and knowledge students develop during the placement year are highly valued by employers.