Explore the science, ethics, and practice of animal welfare through hands-on learning and critical inquiry. Prepare for a meaningful career making a difference in the lives of animals.
Advance your career in animal welfare with a hands-on, science-based foundation degree. This programme is designed for aspiring professionals and those already working in the animal care sector who want to deepen their expertise and broaden their career opportunities. Whether you're passionate about animal rescue, conservation, rehabilitation, or welfare management, this course equips you with the knowledge and practical skills to make a meaningful impact.
You’ll explore biological, ethical, and legal principles of animal welfare through lectures, seminars, and research projects. Practical sessions and 150 hours of work-based experience across veterinary practices, wildlife centres, and rescue organisations will build your confidence and employability. You'll work with a diverse animal collection, including exotic and non-exotic species, and benefit from facilities such as our commercial dog grooming parlour and dog day kennels.
Optional modules at Level 5 allow you to tailor your learning towards conservation or rehabilitation (subject to cohort size). Core modules include Animal Behaviour, Nutrition, Animal Therapy, and Principles of Conservation. Small group teaching, guest industry speakers, and access to excellent practical resources ensure a supportive and career-focused learning environment.
Graduates progress into roles in animal welfare, zoological collections, conservation, and therapy, or continue into further study in areas such as veterinary physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, or behaviour science.
Level 4 Modules
Skills for Study and Employability
Practical Collections (Large and Companion Animals)
Principles of Animal Anatomy and Physiology
Introduction to Welfare, Legislation and Ethics
Fundamental Biological Principles
Introduction to Animal Health
Level 5 Modules
Animal Behaviour
Nutrition Skills in the Workplace
Research Development
Animal Therapies (Optional)
Wildlife Rehabilitation (Optional)
Principles of Ecology and Wildlife Sampling (Optional)
Principles of Conservation (Optional)
Assessment methods on the FdSc Animal Welfare programme include a combination of written assignments, practical evaluations, presentations, and research projects. Students also complete a Critical Analysis of Placement document to assess their work-based learning, which includes a log of hours, workplace journal, and mentor feedback.
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
TEC Partnership (University Centre Grimsby, East Riding College, Scarborough & Skegness Colleges) has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
The following entry points are available for this course:
Standard Offer
Applicants must have 48 UCAS Tariff points, including:
GCSE grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) in Science, English, and Maths
One A level in a science-related subject, or a pass in a Level 3 Extended/National Diploma, or a pass in an Access to Higher Education Diploma
Non-Standard Offer
Applicants who do not meet the standard academic criteria may be considered under the widening participation and lifelong learning strategy. They should have:
Level 2 qualifications in Science, Maths, and English
At least two years of relevant work experience in animal care (e.g. kennels, shelters, catteries, grooming, veterinary practices, farms, or wildlife centres). All non-standard applicants will be assessed individually and must complete a 1,000-word essay on animal welfare to demonstrate academic potential.
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.
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.
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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.
Accommodation costs are £85-105 per week.
Email:infocent@grimsby.ac.uk
Phone:0800 315 002
Email:headmissions@grimsby.ac.uk
Phone:0800 328 3631
Nuns Corner
Grimsby
DN34 5BQ
At TEC Partnership (University Centre Grimsby, East Riding College, Scarborough & Skegness Colleges)
