Animal Behaviour and Welfare (Top-up)

UCAS code: D300

Here's what Activate Learning says about its Animal Behaviour and Welfare (Top-up) course.

Animals are critical to our world as we know it. The food chain supports ecosystems and environments. And in communities across the world, animals bring happiness and companionship. But they can’t tell us what they’re thinking.

Our purpose is to be a voice for animals, and we’re dedicated to understanding what they think and feel. This is something we’re passionate about. The animal, environmental and sustainability sectors are also growing rapidly, and there’s a growing need for more people to have skills in this area. Embarking on BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Welfare (Top-up) is your opportunity to turn your love of animals into expertise that will help you make a positive impact on the world.

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.

Following on from Foundation Degree Animal Behaviour and Welfare, BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Welfare (Top-up) is a top-up programme that can be completed in one year (full-time) or two years (part-time). During this programme, you will deepen your knowledge of the concepts in animal welfare and learn about the fast-growing area of animal cognition. You’ll also design and implement practical experiments in animal behaviour and complete a research project on a topic of your choice.

Concepts in Animal Welfare (30 credits), Animal Cognition (30 credits), Applied Research in Animal Behaviour (30 credits), Research Project (30 credits). Total 120 credits.

A range of different assessment methods have been developed to assess your knowledge, understanding, practical skills and transferable skills such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving. Assessment methods will vary according to the learning outcomes for each module, but will include essays, reports, examinations, presentations, practical demonstrations, collaborative group projects and posters.

The majority of assessment will be through coursework (80-90%), with 10-20% being assessed through examinations.

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