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Animal Biology, Behaviour, Welfare and Ethics

Course details
  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-Time
  • September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Course location
main site
Awarded by:
The Royal Veterinary College

Course summary

The BSc Animal Biology, Behaviour, Welfare and Ethics is a full-time three-year undergraduate degree. The course builds on the scientific excellence of our BSc Biological Sciences programme and is taught by staff from our outstanding Animal Welfare, Science and Ethics group. The group works closely with farmers, animal owners, policy makers and welfare charities.

This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology following an independent and rigorous assessment. Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of employers.

During this programme, you will consider fundamental biological questions using a range of field techniques. These include animal perception and adaptation as well as exploring the practical and ethical implications of animal management and welfare. There will be opportunities to study welfare and behaviour across a range of species, including farm, companion, laboratory and zoo animals.

Part of the final year will be devoted to a major research project, to be carried out either at the RVC or with one of our partners.

Modules

Assessment method

You will be continuously assessed throughout your course, followed by final examinations. You will also be assessed on in-course work, such as completing tests, analysing data and samples, delivering presentations, and writing essays. A major part of your biological sciences courses is the undertaking of a research project.

The estimated breakdown of assessment for your final grade is:

  • Written (coursework, which may include essays, presentations, journal clubs) - 22%

  • Examination (practical, written) – 45%

  • Projects (individual and group work, research) - 33%

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • Royal Society of Biology

How to apply

This course has limited vacancies, and is no longer accepting applications from some students. See the list below for where you normally live, to check if you're eligible to apply.
  • Republic of Ireland does not have vacancies
  • International does not have vacancies
  • EU does not have vacancies
  • United Kingdom does not have vacancies

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
D390
Institution code:
R84
Campus name:
main site

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2

Open days

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level ABB-CCC

EITHER:

ABB including Biology or Chemistry at grade A

OR:

BBB including:

Biology or Chemistry;
Another science subject from Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths;
A third subject of your choice (excluding General Studies).

Contextual Offers:

Offers of a grade below in each subject will be made to those meeting certain Widening Participation (WP) criteria, i.e. a BBB offer would become CCC for WP students and an ABB offer would become BCC for WP students. No separate application is required but care leavers should submit proof from the relevant local authority once they have applied.

UCAS Tariff Not accepted

Scottish Higher

See 'Scottish Advanced Higher'.

Access to HE Diploma

Diplomas must be Science based and include a minimum of 15 Level 3 credits in Chemistry at Distinction OR 15 Level 3 credits in Biology at Distinction, and with Merits achieved in all other Level 3 modules.

It is expected that applicants undertaking the Access to HE Diploma will normally be returning to education after a period of at least three years absence. If have extenuating circumstances which mean you do not fulfil this please contact the Admissions team on admissions@rvc.ac.uk before you submit your application.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Only in addition to other qualifications:

6-6 in Combined Science or BB in Science (Double Award) or B in both Science & Additional Science or 6/B in two of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

And at least grade 6 (B) in:

English Language
Mathematics

Welsh applicants

Please note, GCSE Mathematics-Numeracy will not be accepted instead of a B in GCSE Mathematics but is welcomed alongside it, and as part of the Welsh Baccalaureate.

Scottish Advanced Higher AB-CC

EITHER:

Chemistry or Biology at grade A;
Another subject of your choice at grade B

OR:

Biology or Chemistry at grade B;
Another science subject from Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths at grade B.

In addition to:

5 Highers at grade B and at least National 5 grade B in:

English;
Mathematics;
Biology, Chemistry or Physics.

Contextual Offers:

Offers of a grade below in each subject will be made to those meeting certain Widening Participation (WP) criteria, i.e. a BB offer would become CC for WP students and an AB offer would become BC for WP students. No separate application is required but care leavers should submit proof from the relevant local authority once they have applied.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

EITHER:

655 at Higher Level including Biology or Chemistry at grade 6

OR:

555 at Higher Level including:

Biology or Chemistry;
Another science subject from Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics;
One other subject of your choice.

Our standard offer is based on specific subject-grade requirements, rather than a total points score.

Where candidates have not taken GCSEs or an equivalent qualification prior to IB, they will need a minimum of grade 5 in:

MYP or SL Mathematics;
SL English A Lang-Lit (or grade 6 in English B).

Candidates from outside the UK may sit a separate English language test such as IELTS in place of the English A requirement above.

Mathematical Studies and English A Literature cannot be accepted in lieu of our English Language and Mathematics requirements, but can be taken on top of existing qualifications that meet our requirements.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) DDD

The following Level 3 Extended Diplomas are accepted with specific unit requirements (see the RVC website for details):

Pearson 'Applied Science' or 'Applied Science (Biomedical Science)';

Pearson 'Animal Management'

City & Guilds 'Animal Management (Science)'.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) H2H2H3H3H3H3

H2, H2, H3, H3, H3, H3 including:

Biology or Chemistry;
Another science subject from Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths.

If not included in the above, O3 is required in:

A second natural science (i.e. Biology, Chemistry or Physics);
English;
Mathematics.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015) B-C

Applicants who have achieved this qualification with grade B will be accepted with two A Levels, including:

EITHER:

Biology or Chemistry at grade A;
Another subject of your choice (excluding General Studies) at grade B

OR:

Biology or Chemistry at grade B;
Another science subject from Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths at grade B.

Contextual Offers:

Offers of a grade below in each subject will be made to those meeting certain Widening Participation (WP) criteria, i.e. a BB + B in Welsh Bacc. offer would become CC + C in Welsh Bacc. for WP students and an AB + B in Welsh Bacc. offer would become BC + C in Welsh Bacc. for WP students. No separate application is required but care leavers should submit proof from the relevant local authority once they have applied.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal M1M2M2-M2M2M2

EITHER:

M1, M2, M2 in three Principal Subjects including Biology or Chemistry at grade M1

OR:

M2, M2, M2 in three Principal subjects including:

Biology or Chemistry;
Another science subject from Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths;
One other subject of your choice.

Additional entry requirements

Health Checks
Enrolment will be subject to passing an Occupational Health assessment.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)7No less than 6.5 in each component is required

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
EU & International£27510*
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland & Channel Islands£9790*

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

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