Animal Behaviour and Welfare

Animals need people to be their voice. To do that, we need to understand more about what they think and feel. The Foundation Degree Animal Behaviour and Welfare was established to equip more individuals with the essential skills required to provide animals with the best possible lives. The animal, environmental and sustainability sectors are growing nationally and globally, and more people are needed to work in roles to support this important work. pathways.

This course is taught at Merrist Wood College and University Centre, a 400-acre estate with ancient woodland, wetlands, livestock, threatened species, a farm, an equine centre, and our Animal Management Centre, which has an animal activities licence to support students’ training. This is your live classroom for real-world learning, and we seize every opportunity to help you apply your knowledge in practice. Our lecturers have also worked and volunteered extensively in the animal industry, bringing valuable knowledge that will enhance your learning experience. With guest lectures, work placement opportunities, and the possibility of travelling internationally, this course will set you up for the future.

Year 1: Animal Health, Welfare and Nutrition (30 credits), Development of Personal and Professional Skills (30 credits), Animal Behaviour (30 credits), Applied Animal Husbandry, Enrichment and Training (30 credits). Total 120 credits.
Year 2: Continuing Professional Development (30 credits); Research Methods (30 credits); Animal and Human Interactions (30 credits); Animal Welfare and Ethics (30 credits). Total 120 credits.

You will be assessed by a range of methods designed to develop and test your understanding, knowledge, and skills. These may include examinations, essays, reports, scientific posters, seminars, dissertations, media articles, web- and video-based productions, practical demonstrations, portfolios, collaborative group work-based projects, case studies, and conference-style presentations.

The balance of assessment methods will vary throughout your degree and depending upon which programme you undertake. Depending on the programme you are doing, between 10-20% of your programme may be assessed by examinations with the vast majority (80-90%) assessed through coursework.

You will primarily be assessed as an individual but may also be assessed as part of a group where collaborative skills are relevant.

The balance of assessments for each module is detailed in the module descriptors, but normally includes at least two assessments which are individually weighted.