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Animal Management (Pet Behaviour and Welfare) with Foundation Year at Anglia Ruskin University - UCAS

Anglia Ruskin University

Degree level: Undergraduate

Animal Management (Pet Behaviour and Welfare) with Foundation Year

Course options

2026 - 2027
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Anglia Ruskin University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

6Jun
Anglia Ruskin University - Undergraduate Open Day - Cambridge
Undergraduate
6Jun
ARU Peterborough - Undergraduate Open Day
Undergraduate
6Jun
Anglia Ruskin University - Undergraduate Open Day - Chelmsford
Undergraduate

Course summary

Shape the future of pet welfare, study companion animal behaviour on our ABTC-recognised course and build a successful career in the growing pet industry. Our BSc (Hons) Animal Management (Pet Behaviour and Welfare) blends scientific theory with hands-on experience to prepare you for careers in animal behaviour, training and welfare. With UK pet ownership rising and demand for qualified professionals growing, you’ll develop the essential practical and academic skills needed to succeed. From working with a diverse range of species to gaining real clinical insight in our Pet Behaviour Clinic, you’ll graduate confident and career ready. Why ARU?

  • Gain hands-on experience with a wide range of species from day one
  • Learn in our on-site Pet Behaviour Clinic, observing and supporting real consultations
  • Benefit from expert teaching, guest lectures and connect through strong industry links
  • Study a holistic curriculum covering behaviour, nutrition, health, welfare, ethics, legislation and business
  • Recognised by the ABTC, with eligibility for Associate Membership of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors
  • Gain real-world experience through field trips to rescue centres, wildlife organisations and other institutions
You’ll start by learning about the fundamentals of animal management, covering biology, ethics, and essential practical and professional skills. In years 2-3, as well as building on your knowledge of these core topics, you’ll focus on animal behaviour, training and welfare as they pertain to companion animals, and develop the specific professional skills you need to work as a pet trainer or behaviourist. You’ll round off your degree with an independent research project on a relevant topic of your choice, drawing on everything you’ve learned over the three years. All BSc students study the same modules (with the addition of foundation year modules for those taking the 4-year course). Cert HE students study Year 1 BSc modules.

Modules

Modules are subject to change and availability. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *. Year 1: Academic and Personal Management Skills (20 credits), Biological Concepts (Introduction to Laboratory Skills) (20 credits), Maths for IT and Science (15 credits), Chemistry for Life Sciences (15 credits), Applied Industry Techniques (30 credits), Independent (Themed) Project (20 credits) Year 2: Biology (30 credits), Ecology and Evolution (15 credits), Industry Skills and Professional Wellbeing (30 credits), Ethics of Animal Use (15 credits), Human-Animal Interaction (15 credits), Into ARU Year 3: Ruskin Module (15 credits), Behaviour (15 credits), Principles of Animal Nutrition (15 credits), Research Methods (15 credits), Animal Breeding and Development (15 credits), Animal Health and Welfare (15 credits), Professional Practice and Legislation (15 credits), Applied Behaviour and Training (15 credits) Year 4: Major Project (30 credits), Applied Behaviour and Animal Welfare (15 credits), People Management, Training and Support (15 credits), Applied Nutrition and Feeding (15 credits), Strategies and Issues in Animal Breeding (15 credits), Clinical Animal Behaviour (15 credits), Developing Clinical Practice (15 credits)

Assessment method

We'll assess your progress in a number of ways to ensure practical and academic competence, including assignments, reports, written examinations, observed structured practical examinations, observed structured clinical examinations, oral presentations, debates, and your dissertation.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC)

How to apply

14Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
DF34
Institution code:
A60
Campus name:
Writtle Campus
Campus code:
W

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
80%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
95%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £9790 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9790 Year 1
Scotland £9790 Year 1
Wales £9790 Year 1
Channel Islands £9790 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9790 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

https://aru.ac.uk/student-life/preparing-for-university/help-with-finances/undergraduate https://www.aru.ac.uk/study/tuition-fees
Animal Management (Pet Behaviour and Welfare) with Foundation Year at Anglia Ruskin University - UCAS