How the programmes are taught

All our programmes make use of the wide range of facilities we have on campus and the links we have with national and local agencies.

You will be taught using a variety of methods, these include –

• Lectures.
• Small group directed learning.
• Dissections.
• Trips
• Field work
• Small group tutorials.
• Laboratory practical classes.
• Research projects   
• Many of our classes are taught with small group sizes. This gives are students excellent access to our range of expert lecturers and practioners.

The excellent range of facilities available within the Animal Science Centre support the practical aspects of our animal-related degree programmes, whilst providing a centre for academic excellence. The open-plan laboratories are used for many of the Form and Function elements, such as Anatomy and Physiology, Animal Nutrition and Animal Reproductive Physiology. The laboratories are well equipped for modules such as Parasitology, Animal Microbiology and for teaching molecular and diagnostic techniques.

The veterinary modules such as Pathophysiology and Diagnostic Techniques have access to a range of specialist equipment to support veterinary studies. There is also a mock Animal Hospital, and an Equine Therapy Centre onsite to support your learning experience. The well-stocked Animal House is used to support ‘hands-on’ modules such as Companion Animal Husbandry and Exotic Animal Management. The College’s Home Farm and Home Farm Stud give students valuable opportunities for working hands-on with animals and gaining experience of the routine procedures that take place there, both are a valuable resource for both teaching and research. The studs and the farms commercial activities also give students an excellent insight into the running of these businesses.

When appropriate we also like to take our students off-campus where can learn from experts in the field. Recent educational trips have included visits to Bristol Zoo, Newent Birds of Prey Centre, London Zoo, Oxford natural History Museum, Slimbridge Wildfowl Trust, West Midlands Safari Park, Eden Project, IGER Research Institute and Hook Norton Brewery.

Students studying certain modules also get the opportunity to go on residential trips. Students taking the Management of Animal Collections module get to spend 3 days at Marwell Zoo, Hampshire. Here they are taught by zoo staff and get the valuable opportunity to see the behind the scenes running of the zoo.

If you want to travel abroad students also have the opportunity to take our Field Course module. In 2012 fifteen students will be spending 10 days in South Africa learning about the local wildlife and the conservation of large game species. We also have excellent links with many volunteer conservation groups such as Operation Wallacea, Conservation Africa and Frontier and have had numerous spending their holidays working with animals in exotic parts of the world.

The college’s estate and the local area also provide an excellent resource for the teaching of land-based programmes. The campus has a range of diverse landscapes and within the local area are many designated areas for field work. The College also has excellent links with regional and national bodies which provide our students with valuable learning opportunities.

Should you wish to gain more hands-on experience with animals there is an opportunity to get involved with volunteering to help out on campus. Every year we have students who get involved with activities such as observing the routine veterinary visits, artificial insemination technician and hoof trimmer; and students also get involved with helping out during lambing, milking and in the equine therapy centre.

Hartpury graduates are very much in demand. Our Graduate Development Programme supports students through regular small group meetings with their academic tutor.  They will explore a range of academic skills such as scientific writing, giving presentations and effective researching, not only to support achievement, but to promote and encourage employability .  Students are encouraged to evaluate their progress and to target their ambitions and efforts to achieve their ultimate goals.  The Careers Advisors will advise and support students in recognising their goals, and mapping skills and experiences to attain them.  This service continues for 3 years after students leave Hartpury College, providing a holistic experience from enrolment to career development.