Skip navigation
Applied Animal Science (Top-up) at University Centre Sparsholt - UCAS

Course summary

What Makes This Course Unique? Exceptional facilities, industry connections, and immersive learning environment: Our living collection – use our extensive facilities to carry out innovative research as part of your course on a wide range of industry‑led research projects including behavioural studies, animal dietary analysis, cognitive and human‑animal interactions research. In addition to the 600 plus animals in our BIAZA‑accredited Animal Health and Welfare Research Centre, our state‑of‑the‑art kennels are licensed for up to 40 dogs on a day care or full board basis, our cattery provides an ideal opportunity to conduct feline behaviour and welfare research and the 126‑hectare working farm on campus includes dairy cattle, sheep and pigs, providing endless opportunities for hands‑on learning and research. With almost 50 years of expertise behind this course, we are well‑established in animal management education, supported by strong partnerships with local and national employers. What makes UCS special? Our staff and graduates are highly regarded by industry. The lecturers’ experience, knowledge and industry links can give you the head start you need. We are an accredited member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and work closely with them. We have also worked with the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) on a funded project to define a competence framework for zoo keepers, which is at the heart of our National Zoo Academy. Sparsholt is the hub for the industry recognised professional zookeeper qualification, the DMZAA (Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals).Our lecturers bring their expertise to your learning from their work with world‑leading zoos and nationally‑recognised organisations. They also advise research committees, welfare groups and awarding bodies within the industry. We have strong links with a range of wildlife, conservation and commercial organisations, allowing you to access work placements and to carry out industry relevant research that can feed into your career. What will I learn? You will gain a deep understanding of animal welfare and behaviour, the animal industry and wildlife management. Topics such as animal nutrition, health and behaviour are paired with practical skills such as laboratory techniques and current industry IT software. Practical learning to ensure you graduate job‑ready:

  • Take part in laboratory analysis and dissections
  • Learn safe working practices with animals
  • Conduct wildlife and aquatic life surveys
  • Contribute to live research projects, such as goat animal interactions, canine communication comprehension and feline cognition.
How will I be assessed? Our assessments mirror the challenges you will face in your career, combining academic depth with practical application:
  • Research projects that address real‑world animal science conundrums
  • Field‑based assignments allow you to showcase your skills to employers
  • A range of presentation types, written assignments and assessments 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 laboratory technicians; ecologists, companion animal industries such as Dogs Trust and Cats Protection; educator; policy adviser. You can also progress to the MSc in Applied Zoo Biology at University Centre Sparsholt; alternatively, there are many MSc and PhD programmes available at other universities. How our graduates are shaping the future:
  • Working in a range of industries such as animal charities, veterinary practices and zoological collections.

Modules

LEVEL SIX Dissertation, Further Statistics, Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare (optional)*, Applied Animal Health, Species Manipulation and Monitoring, Professional Industrial Development, Animal Industry and Trade, Reproductive Technologies and Genetics (optional)*, Sustainable Resource , Management (optional)*. *subject to demand

Assessment method

Work placements offer opportunities to gather data for the dissertation project which is submitted at level six. There are research opportunities throughout the programme, and University Centre Sparsholt actively submits student work to outside symposia, giving you the opportunity to present your work to the wider world.

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

  • Course does not award QTS

How to apply

This course is not accepting applications at this time. Please contact the provider to find out more.

Application codes

Course code:
D328
Institution code:
S34
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

We welcome applications from international students. For further details on the English language requirements, visa requirements and student life, please see our website https://www.sparsholt.ac.uk/international/.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Diploma of Higher Education, FdSc or HND in a relevant subject, plus GCSE Maths and English at grade C/4 or above (or level 2 equivalents).

Additional entry requirements

Other

GCSE Maths and English @ Grade C/4 or above (or level 2 equivalents)


English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6Overall score of 6.0 with minimum scores of 5.5 in any of Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening (CEFR B2) www.ielts.org/about-ielts/ielts-for-migration/united-kingdom
Trinity ISEPassPass in each of Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening (CEFR B2) www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/SELT/UKVI
PTE Academic60Minimum score of 60 or higher in each of Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening (CEFR B2) www.pearsonpte.com/selt-tests/pte-academic-ukvi

We will also accept the following qualification: LanguageCert International ESOL SELT - minimum score of 33/50 in each of Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening (CEFR B2) https://www.languagecert.org/en/uk-visa-exams/study-in-the-uk

Please email [email protected] for details

https://www.sparsholt.ac.uk/international/english-language-requirements/


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Channel Islands £9000 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9000 Year 1
EU £13000 Year 1
England £9000 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9000 Year 1
Scotland £9000 Year 1
Wales £9000 Year 1
International £13000 Year 1

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 .

Additional fee information

www.sparsholt.ac.uk/university-centre/additional-costs/ Students from EU member states will be eligible for an EU scholarship. Please contact [email protected]

Sponsorship information

Depending on the financial information disclosed in your Student Loan application, UCS may make an automatic bursary award based on specific criteria as set out in our Access and Participation Plan. If this is not the case you may still be able to apply for financial support to the UCS HE Hardship fund by completing a Bursary Application Form (available from end of |Term 1). For more information please email [email protected].

Applied Animal Science (Top-up) at University Centre Sparsholt - UCAS