- Join an innovative programme that explores the dynamic relationships between animal welfare science, conservation biology and environmental sustainability
- Learn to define and assess animal welfare, investigate ecosystem health and question the sustainability of animal production and conservation systems
- Create sustainable solutions to animal welfare issues spanning a wide range of contexts and species including farm, zoo and wild-living animals
- Join one of only a few distance-learning Animal Science programmes in the country enabling you to earn while you learn in related employment
Are you passionate about protecting animals and the environment? If you want to make a difference and aim to end animal suffering then our progressive animal science degree is for you.
This multidisciplinary programme, led by animal welfare experts, follows the Planetary Health and One Welfare philosophies, where welfare of both captive and wild animals is considered alongside ecosystem health and biodiversity conservation. This is one of the broadest and most inclusive animal welfare programmes in the UK, seeing all animals and ecosystems as equal.
Our supportive team of academics will help you to investigate welfare in production systems, understand welfare needs, and reconsider the boundaries of welfare science by discussing welfare for wildlife, considering anthropogenic influences on wild populations, and embedding welfare and ethics into conservation practice. This three-year degree course will equip you with a unique skill set that allows you to create sustainable solutions to issues throughout the animal industry.
In Year 1, studying foundational subjects will allow you to understand animal evolution, diversity, physiology, and behaviour. You will explore principles of planetary health and environmental sustainability allowing you to embed this knowledge in future years. Crucially, you will learn the fundamentals of animal welfare science, both concepts of welfare and welfare assessment. We will teach you key skills of academic writing and practice.
In Year 2, you will learn about welfare and sustainability issues in animal production and conservation systems and we will inspire you to question the very notion that welfare is relevant only to animals directly under human control. You will explore anthropogenic causes of biodiversity loss while gaining knowledge of natural mechanisms of animal population/community growth and decline. You will also develop a portfolio of practical skills and research methods knowledge, ensuring you are employment-ready upon graduation. From report writing to ecological surveying techniques, consultancy skills to GIS mapping, this module will develop and evidence your skills as a student, applied scientist and job applicant.
In your final year, you will seek sustainable solutions to welfare and conservation issues by studying conservation ethics and welfare, and applying sustainability principles to traditional welfare practices. You will undertake an independent research project in an area of animal welfare and conservation that especially interests you and can tailor your degree, selecting two optional modules from a diverse range including environmental and animal advocacy, wildlife crime and trade, and animal welfare during emergencies and disasters.
On this distance-learning programme, you are typically taught through a combination of lectures and seminars, delivered online. Live lectures provide you with core knowledge, while real-time seminars allow you to discuss and develop your understanding and foster a sense of community. Remotely guided fieldwork and practical sessions will be a feature of skills-based modules while individual or small-group online tutorials will help support you with your studies.
Course Details - Modules
Modules are not listed for this Course.
Course Details – Assessment Method
Assessment Methods are not listed for this Course.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
26 January 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:
D300
Institution code:
W76
Campus Name:
Main Site
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
An A Level A*-C pass or equivalent qualification in a science subject is required. For this course we accept the following science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Human Biology, Zoology, Psychology, Environmental Science/Studies, Marine Science, Applied Science.
A GCSE A*-C or 9-4 in English Language, mathematics and science is required.
We welcome applications from students who are completing an Access to Higher Education Diploma. We normally look for applicants to have studied a course that is in a similar subject and offers are usually made in line with our published tariff point range.
Applicants are required to hold a minimum of 2 x A-level or equivalent qualifications (e.g. 2 x BTEC National Subsidiary Diplomas) and we accept all A-level subjects, including Critical Thinking, General Studies and own-language A-levels. We welcome applicants who have completed the Extended Project (EP/EPQ) and points obtained from this qualification will be included in any offer. In addition, we accept a maximum of 32 points from level 3 qualifications below A2 that are included in the tariff (e.g. AS-levels not studied at A-level, music or dance qualifications).
If you are a mature student, your application will be considered on its individual merits and work or other professional experience may be taken into consideration in lieu of other published requirements.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Minimum Further Information are not listed for this Course.
English language requirements
Test
Grade
AdditionalDetails
IELTS (Academic)
6.0
An overall score of 6.0, including 5.5 in writing is required. If you require Tier 4 sponsorship, you will require a minimum of 5.5 in all 4 components.
Unistats information
Student satisfaction :
60%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs):
75%
Go onto work and study:
100%
Fees and funding
England
9250.0
Year 1
Northern Ireland
9250.0
Year 1
Scotland
9250.0
Year 1
Wales
9250.0
Year 1
Channel Islands
9250.0
Year 1
Republic of Ireland
9250.0
Year 1
Additional Fee Information
*Please note, the tuition fee for students from the rest of the EU (excluding ROI) are yet to be confirmed by the University.
For further information about any additional costs associated with this course please see the individual course page on the University of Winchester website (www.winchester.ac.uk).
Provider information
Sparkford Road
Winchester
Address3 are not listed for this Course.
Hampshire
SO22 4NR
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