Animal Behaviour and Welfare Top-up

Course overview

Develop your expertise in animal behaviour and welfare and turn your passion into your career. Study the fascinating biology behind the behaviour and consider ethical issues.

Top-up your existing qualification to a full BSc degree. Whether you want to become a welfare officer, trainer or researcher, you’ll be well-prepared for a range of careers in the animal sector.

You’ll be exposed to the latest research in the field of animal behaviour and welfare, and develop industry-standard practical skills to assess welfare, measure behaviour, train animals and manage domestic, exotic and wild species.

Choose from a range of optional modules, including animal trade and welfare, wildlife and zoo management, anthrozoology, animal psychology, biodiversity, conservation and pet behaviour counselling.

Benefit from a 360-hectare campus that’s home to a diverse range of animals. Our 70-species animal collection provides opportunities to assess domestic and non-domestic animals in different contexts.

As part of your top-up year, you’ll undertake an applied research project. Delve deeper into an area you’re passionate about and contribute to research that’s making a difference to the lives of animals.

What you'll study

This course builds on the knowledge you have gained in previous studies, to reach the level of a BSc (Hons) degree.

You'll study both compulsory and optional modules, which you'll be able to choose from to suit your interests and career goals. Optional modules change each year in line with student, industry and research demands - you'll find recent topics studied below. You can attend introductory sessions for optional modules before deciding which ones to study.

Level six (year one)

You’ll continue to advance your understanding of the key principles in animal behaviour and welfare. You’ll be exposed to contemporary challenges in the subject areas such as animal trade and welfare. Studying advanced theory, you'll gain an insight into where current research is focussing.

Applied research project

You’ll undertake a research project with one-to-one support from an academic. Delve deeper into an area of interest and be responsible for planning, implementing and reporting on a specialist topic. You’ll have an investigative skills module, which will help you to develop the research skills you need to succeed.

You could present your research at a national or international conference, or get your work published in peer-reviewed academic press.

Please visit our document library for more module information.

How you'll study

We're committed to supporting you to fulfil your unique potential, which is why you'll receive around 12 hours of scheduled teaching time per week.

Your support network

You'll benefit from a strong support network from day one to be the best you can be. This will range from your personal tutor and specialist academic support team (our Achievement and Success Centre) to dedicated wellbeing and employability (Innovation, Careers and Enterprise) centres.

Your learning experiences

You'll experience a range of teaching methods to strengthen your digestion of topics, including lectures, workshops and practical sessions, as well as supported work placement learning as part of many courses.

Your career

Each year of your course will be made up of two semesters, within which you’ll study compulsory and optional modules on different industry-focused topics, enabling you to develop your own unique portfolio of knowledge, skills and experience, ready for your career.

Further details

Field trips and guest lecturers

Field trips and industry professionals in lectures form an important part of your learning, enabling you to experience different businesses, careers and best practices.

Recent field trips have included to places such as Cotswold Wildlife Park, Bristol Aquarium and Guide Dogs for the Blind. Extra fees are required – please see the fees tab.

Our students have heard from inspirational guest lecturers who are Fire Investigation dog handlers, conservationists, dog training professionals and zookeepers.

Graduate destinations

As an Animal Behaviour and Welfare graduate, you may go on to work in zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks, rescue, conservation or welfare centres. You’ll also have the transferable skills you need for other graduate careers. Our careers team can support you to find and prepare to secure your perfect role.

Recent graduate destinations have included:

• Welfare Inspector
• Instructor, Guide Dogs for the Blind
• Dog Trainer
• Animal Welfare Assistant, Blue Cross
• Animal Carer
• Editorial Assistant, BSAVA
• Zoo Keeper, Bristol Zoo
• Fundraising and Adoptions Officer
• Animal Welfare Assistant
• Livestock Engagement Officer
• Researcher
• FE Lecturer
• Guest Experience Manager, Bristol Aquarium
• Postgraduate study – MRes Animal Behaviour and Welfare, MRes Anthrozoology

Canine and equine therapy centres

Our commercial canine and equine therapy centres offer opportunities for you to gain industry experience ready for your career.

Study spaces

Our University Learning Centre has books, journals, ebooks, computers and breakout study spaces. In addition, we have a Study Lounge – an informal space with sports equipment, study booths and chill-out spaces to support both studying and relaxation.

Tuition fees and financial support

Please visit our student finance page for information on tuition fees and student loans, as well as non-repayable grants, bursaries and scholarships, eligible to different groups, to support with study costs.

Below, you'll find extra costs associated with studying this course.

Clothing and footwear

If you would like to help out in our animal collections, you’ll need to purchase appropriate clothing and footwear before you can start. The most important pieces of clothing are the animal management overcoat or overalls and steel toe cap boots for working at the farm. Everything is available from our supplier’s online shop.

Optional field trips (up to circa £150)

Some field trips may be included in the course fees, however, the below is not:

• Year one optional module, Wildlife and Zoo Management, offers an optional residential trip to a UK zoo, costing around £150.

Accommodation and living costs

Please visit our student accommodation page for details.