Course summary

This course was previously offered by Writtle University College prior to the merger with ARU in March 2024. This course will run on the ARU Writtle campus. Studying for a degree with an integrated foundation year will offer you a supportive environment if you have been out of education for a few years or do not have the necessary UCAS points from your recent course of study. The foundation year (Year 0) will precede our standard 3-year degree course programmes and enables preparation for degree study. You'll study a range of modules that cover general academic skills, along with more subject-specific topics. Following the foundation year, students will move onto the BSc (Hons) Animal Management (Pet Behaviour and Welfare) programme which focuses more on holistic approach to animal husbandry, particularly dogs, with courses on applied behaviour and welfare, breeding and animal health management alongside core topics of behaviour, nutrition and health. All of our Animal Management pathways take a holistic approach to animal management and prepare students for the increasingly diverse enterprises of the UK animal industry. A wide range of species are available to enable students to gain sound practical animal husbandry skills, which are then complemented by an academic programme that covers topics such as nutrition, breeding, health and behaviour. These are combined with a deeper understanding of business and trade as it relates to the animal sector. You’ll be taught by specialist staff, and benefit from campus facilities including dedicated canine and equine centres, a small animal unit and a working farm. Throughout your course, there’s the chance to join ‘behind the scenes’ trips and other experiences. The new Canine Academy provides specialist facilities for our canine behaviour and training aspects of the course. Our degree course is recognised by the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC). As a graduate, you’ll be ready to work as an animal trainer, animal training instructor, animal behaviour technician or clinical animal behaviourist. On graduating, students would be eligible for provisional membership of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC)