Animal Science with Placement Year
UCAS Code: D300
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
including Biology and 1 other science (Chemistry preferred). Acceptable Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Studies, Applied Science, Geology.
Access to HE Diploma
including relevant science units.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
including Biology and one other science subject (Chemistry preferred).
Extended Project
In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification provides to students for University study, we now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer. Eligible applicants would receive two offers, our usual offer plus an alternative offer of a B in the EPQ and one grade lower in their A level subjects
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE Maths C (or 4), English Language or English Literature C (or 4).
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
including Biology and 1 other science (Chemistry preferred) at Higher Level. Acceptable Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Studies, Applied Science, Geology.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
including relevant science modules.
Scottish Higher
including Biology and 1 other science (Chemistry preferred). Acceptable Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Studies, Applied Science, Geology.
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
If you would like a future working with animals, our BSc Animal Science with Placement Year degree offers the perfect route into a wide range of careers in industry, research, education or the veterinary sector.
The difference between this degree and BSc Animal Science is that it includes a relevant placement year in the UK or abroad between the second and final year.
Animal science encompasses the scientific disciplines underpinning the management of farm, companion and captive animals, including; physiology, biochemistry, nutrition, growth, lactation, reproduction, health, behaviour and welfare.
Our flexible degrees ensure you have a sound grounding in the biosciences, including cell biology, biochemistry, physiology and the nutritional sciences, while enabling you to apply this knowledge to areas of interest, such as: livestock production, canine, feline and equine science, small animal management, zoo animal management and conservation.
Through a variety of teaching methods, you will not only acquire specialist knowledge and key laboratory skills, but also skills in team working, problem-solving, numeracy, data handling and statistical analysis, all of which are skills that are highly regarded by employers.
University-owned farms, including the renowned Centre for Dairy Research (CEDAR) with its dairy herd of 550 cows and other species, provide excellent facilities for practical research projects. Connections with zoos, equine centres, vet clinics and small animal facilities locally provide further opportunities for field visits and practical work.
You will also be encouraged to consider a study abroad experience as part of your degree programme. The University has a wide range of exchange partners in Europe and across the world in Australia, Canada and the USA (subject to availability).
Whether you have experience working with animals or not, our supportive academics will give you the individual attention to make sure you get the most out of your studies. If you haven’t made your mind up about your future career, this degree can help you to discover new areas of interest, as well as offering the flexibility to let you adapt and specialise as you learn.
If you would like to make a difference to the health and well-being of both animals and humans in an ever-changing world, then Animal Science at the University of Reading is the degree for you.
**Placement**
This degree includes a relevant industrial placement year in the UK or abroad between the second and final year. You will benefit from our links with the animal science community, including leading organisations and companies, and we have a dedicated member of staff providing support and advice on suitable placements.
In the past, students have undertaken placements at Danisco Animal Nutrition (DuPont), Paignton and Chester Zoos, and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation.
**Careers**
Our courses equip you with numerical, laboratory, scientific, research and work skills useful for any animal-based career, whether in industry, research, education or the agriculture, food and veterinary sectors.
Recent graduates have found scientific, technical and management positions in companies concerned with animal health and nutrition, the pharmaceutical sector and the biotechnology sector, including DuPont, BOCM Pauls, Mars Petcare and Envigo Ltd. Other students have progressed into teaching, master's degrees or postgraduate research programmes, or accelerated veterinary medicine programmes.
Modules
Sample modules may include:
*Building Blocks of Life
*Animal Health and Disease
*Animal Nutrition
*Canine and Feline Science
*Animal Welfare
Check our website for more details of the course structure.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
University of Reading
School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Animal science
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Agriculture, food and related studies
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
These stats refer to the prospects for graduates from both general animal studies courses and those for particular animals (such as equine science). Graduates don't generally get jobs as vets when they graduate; much the most common jobs tend to be roles caring for animals, such as veterinary nurses. Some of these jobs are not currently classified as professional level occupations, but in reality, you need a degree to get these jobs (and probably always have done), and graduates in them report that they got the jobs that they wanted. So the stats you see might not completely represent just how useful these degrees are for getting into animal care careers.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Agriculture & related subjects
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£23k
£25k
£28k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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