Course leader
DR MARIANNE FREEMAN –
PhD, MSci, C. Anim. Sci, MRSB
What will I learn?
You will gain a critical evaluation of animal ethology, health and welfare, learning theory, law and ethics and clinical practice. Practical learning to ensure you graduate job‑ready:
• Behavioural observations of a variety of species
• Safe training practices with different species
• Conduct welfare assessments
• Contribute to live research projects, such as goat animal interactions, canine communication comprehension and feline cognition.
Attendance Requirements
The BSc (Hons) Applied Animal Behaviour Top‑up degree is provided via six block weeks at the UCS campus, supported by our Virtual learning platform LEDGE in between weeks. Students are required to attend four UCS‑based block weeks in Year 1 and two UCS‑based block weeks in Year 2. A couple of additional days will be required online for additional activities such as time constrained assessments, dates of these will be given well in advance.
How will I be assessed?
Our assessments mirror the challenges you will face in your career, combining academic depth with practical application:
• Research dissertations that address real‑world animal science problems
• Field‑based assignments allow you to showcase your skills to employers
• A range of presentation types and written assignments that develop key graduate skills such as communication expertise
Focused on your future
This degree opens doors to diverse career paths in a rapidly growing sector, such as behaviourist or animal trainer in rescue and animal welfare charities and will allow you to progress on to gaining the practical competency to gain the Clinical Animal Behaviourist title.
How our graduates are shaping the future:
- Working with charities such as Dogs Trust and Blue Cross
- Undertaking animal care and welfare research for wildlife charities and laboratory institutes
- Self‑employed as feline/canine behaviourist
- Pushing the frontiers of animal behaviour research by working in postgraduate education such as Master’s and Doctoral level degrees.
Modules Covered
Year One
- Animal Communication Learning and Training
- Ethology Domestication and Anthrozoology
- Mechanisms of Behaviour
- Ethics Welfare and Law
Year Two
- Human Psychology and Clinical Practice
- Dissertation and Data Analysis
Additional Costs
For additional course costs click here
Entry Requirements
HND or Foundation Degree in a suitable subject
Diploma of Higher Education – in a suitable subject