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    BSc (Hons)Animal Behaviour and Welfare (Clinical)

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    Course overview

    If you are fascinated by why animals behave the way they do and want to make a meaningful impact on animal welfare, this animal behaviour degree provides the scientific knowledge and hands‑on experience to help you do exactly that.  

    What will this degree entail?

    You will study animal biology, animal behaviour, and animal welfare science, learning how behaviour is measured, interpreted, and applied to improve the lives of animals across companion animal, livestock, equine, zoo, and wildlife conservation settings.

    Through practical training, behavioural assessments, and research projects, you will develop the skills needed to investigate real‑world welfare challenges and make evidence‑based decisions that support positive human–animal interactions.

    You will also gain essential business and management knowledge, preparing you for diverse roles across the animal industries or for postgraduate study.

    This degree has been provisionally validated by the CCAB Certification Ltd Accreditation Committee, confirming that it meets the academic requirements for individuals seeking to become clinical animal behaviourists.

    A version of this course with a placement year is also available. 

    View the placement year route

    Find out more about placement years

    Entry requirements

    96 - 128 UCAS Tariff Points

    Qualification Grade(s)
    GCE A Levels grades CCC or equivalent (with no more than 2 arts-based subjects out of 3)
    Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma DDM (1080 GLH)
    City & Guilds Advanced Extended Technical Diploma DDM (1080 GLH)
    T-Level Merit
    Scottish Highers BBCC
    Irish Leaving Certificate Four H3
    GCSEs Minimum of 4 GCSEs at grade C/4 including English Language, Maths and Science.
    Work Experience Applicants are encouraged to gain experience working with a number of different animals in different settings. Applicants should include details of this in their application. Experience of different animals will enable reflection and will help with many aspects as students’ progress through the course.

    Course key info

    UCAS code D394

    Institution code: H12

    Duration

    Three years, full-time

    Location

    Harper Adams University campus (and location of work placement)

    Course modules

    Module Table
    Year 1
    Year 2
    Year 3

    Please note we cannot guarantee placement on your preferred elective or option if the module does not meet the minimum enrolment requirements or is oversubscribed due to resource limitations. Whilst every effort will be made to offer these modules, in some instances it may not be possible to do so.

    Let us be your guide...

    For course related enquiries please contact:

    Admissions
    Telephone: 0300 131 3950
    Email: admissions@harper-adams.ac.uk

    Course manager

    Photograph of Dr Jayne Powles
    Dr Jayne Powles
    Programme Manager for Animal Sciences
    +44 (0)1952 815426

    Careers

    Animal behaviour and welfare is a rapidly expanding field, with employers increasingly seeking graduates who can apply scientific knowledge of behaviour to improve animal well-being. This animal behaviour degree prepares you for careers in:

    • Companion animal behaviour — behaviour consulting, training, behaviour clinics

    • Livestock and equine industries — welfare assessment, behaviour management

    • Zoos and wildlife conservation — enrichment design, behavioural monitoring

    • Animal welfare charities — advocacy, education, behaviour support

    • Research and education — behavioural science, welfare research

    Graduates also progress into roles with animal nutrition companies, pharmaceutical organisations, government agencies, and bodies involved in shaping animal welfare policy.

    This course provides a strong foundation for postgraduate study, including pathways toward becoming a clinical animal behaviourist or advancing into specialised behavioural research.

     

    Accreditation

    This course has been provisionally validated by the CCAB Certification Ltd Accreditation Committee as delivering the academic elements necessary for an individual to achieve certification as a clinical animal behaviourist. 

    Learn more about how you can become a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist. 

    Discover Uni

    Fees and costs

    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 the Fees and Charges PDF.

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    Disclaimer

    Whilst every opportunity has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information on this course page, Harper Adams University wishes to emphasise that the content is regularly reviewed and is subject to change from time-to-time as required. Our courses undergo reviews to ensure they are flexible, relevant and as up-to-date as possible.