Course summary
Animal behaviourists apply their scientific skills to understand how and why animals behave in the ways that they do, in order to improve animal welfare, enhance conservation, and further our knowledge of the natural world. On the BSc Animal Behaviour degree at Aberystwyth University you will develop a solid foundation of transferable scientific skills, as evidenced by our Royal Society of Biology accreditation. Equipped with these skills, you will investigate the mechanisms, development, function, and evolution of animal behaviour in a range of pure and applied contexts. You will develop advanced skills in animal behaviour research and ultimately conduct your own independent behaviour research project. You’ll do all this within the wild and beautiful setting of West Wales, which is home to bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic grey seals, pine martens, otters, ospreys and red kites. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to intensively investigate animal behaviour on residential field courses further afield. Our course:
- provides a solid foundation of skills and knowledge in the biosciences which will be invaluable to you within and beyond the field of animal behaviour.
- is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology in recognition of its quality.
- includes lots of specialist animal behaviour content taught by staff who conduct scientific research into animal behaviour.
- includes an optional residential field course dedicated to the investigation of animal behaviour through small group project work.
- places behaviour in context with modules addressing health and welfare taught by practising veterinarians, and optional modules developing knowledge and skills in conservation.
- includes a substantial, independent research project in your final year, during which you will benefit from one-to-one academic supervision.
- is highly suited to students wishing to improve their employability within fields such as animal conservation, animal care and welfare, or animal behaviour research, but also develops skills desirable in a broad range of other graduate professions.
- a modern aquarium housing cold-water and tropical, marine and freshwater species .
- access to a range of small and large domestic animals for animal behaviour research purposes via our university farms, riding school, and veterinary education centre.
- access to an extensive woodland neighbouring our campus with over 100 purpose-built nest boxes supporting the study of birds and other wildlife.
- wild and beautiful habitats on our doorstep, including marine, moorland, mountain, grassland and coast, providing a huge variety of fieldwork and recreational opportunities.opportunities to view common and rare UK animal species such as bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic grey seals, pine martens, otters, ospreys and red kites.
- an extensive collection of zoological specimens housed within our museum.
Modules
Your first year will provide a broad grounding in biology, and training in the skills needed to succeed in your studies. Subject areas will include: The evolution and diversity of life; Animal physiology; Diagnosis and control of animal diseases; Wildlife forensics; Study and communication skills; and many others. In your second year you will undertake specialist modules in animal behaviour, and gain essential scientific skills. Subject areas will include: Ethology, The scientific study of animal behaviour; Modern zoo science; Veterinary health; Quantitative and qualitative procedures for data analysis; Good research design and planning. Your third year will be spent in work experience. In your final year, subject areas will include: The behaviour and welfare of domesticated animals; The physiological mechanisms behind animal behaviour; Compulsory dissertation research project; and optional modules.
How to apply
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:
- C122
- Institution code:
- A40
- Campus name:
- Main Site (Aberystwyth)
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 104 - 120 points
A level - BBB - BCC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDD - DDM
Access to HE Diploma
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 28 - 30 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
Applicants are selected on their individual merits and offers can vary. We allow you flexibility in meeting our entry requirements, and all qualifications that you have already gained, or are working towards, will be considered when reviewing your application. We have an inclusive policy which recognises a broad range of qualifications. The entry requirements listed above represent typical offers for some of the most popular qualifications taken by applicants. If you cannot find the qualifications that you are studying (or have previously studied) please contact our Undergraduate Admissions Office (Telephone: +44 (0)1970 622021; Email: [email protected]) for advice on your eligibility and details of the typical offer you are likely to receive.
Additional entry requirements
Other
A minimum grade C or grade 4 pass in GCSE (or equivalent) English or Welsh is a requirement for entry to all our degree schemes. Business, Mathematics, and Science degree schemes also require a minimum grade C or grade 4 pass in Mathematics and/or Science at GCSE (or equivalent).
English language requirements
Test | Grade | Additional details |
---|---|---|
Cambridge English Advanced | B | |
Cambridge English Proficiency | C | |
IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | With minimum 5.5 in each component. |
PTE Academic | 55 | With minimum score of 51 in any component. |
TOEFL (iBT) | 88 | With minimum scores in components as follows: Listening 21; Writing 21; Reading 22; Speaking 23. |
If you are an international student needing more information about the English Language requirement for your course (e.g. country-specific English Language tests, Partner Institution tests, EU/EEA English Language qualifications where the school curriculum is taught in a native language) please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for further advice.
Student Outcomes
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 | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
EU | £20715 | Year 1 |
International | £20715 | 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
Sponsorship information
Aberystwyth University offers a valuable package of scholarships and bursaries to support students. Our long-established Entrance Examination competition means you could get up to £2,000 a year towards your living and study costs. You can combine that with any or all of our other awards, to make your financial package more valuable. Our awards include Sport and Music Scholarships, Bursaries for Care Leavers/Young Carers/Estranged Students and a range of department specific awards. Please visit our website for full details.
Provider information
Aberystwyth University
Penglais
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion
Wales
SY23 3FL