Learn how and why animals behave the way they do and gain the skills you’ll need to contribute to important discoveries. Our four-year course includes a foundation year when you'll build up your scientific skills, before moving onto our BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour
We understand more than ever before about the behaviour of animals – but with so much more to learn, could you be the one to discover one of the major scientific breakthroughs of the 21st century?
You’ll spend your foundation year covering a broad range of subjects including biology, chemistry and maths, helping you to prepare for higher-level study. You’ll then move on to the first year of our BSc (Hons) in Animal Behaviour.
Our degree is the longest-established animal behaviour course in the UK, and it’s recognised by the Society of Biology. Learn how and why animals behave the way they do, and how this can impact on the management and conservation of wild and domesticated creatures. You’ll develop the skills you’ll need to investigate animals and contribute to important discoveries in the future.
By studying animal behaviour, you’ll learn how we can manage and protect species. The development, physiology and evolution of species will form the basis of this course, but it’s not all theory. It’s a practical subject and we give you plenty of opportunities to learn and practice both in the lab and the field. In your second year you’ll take a series of half day trips to learn about and practise advanced behavioural data collection, the costs of which are included in your course fees. On our optional field trips you might experience rutting red deer on the island of Rum; marine biology in Scotland; world-class zoos in the Netherlands; wildlife and ecology in Africa; and diving and marine biology in the Red Sea. You’ll need to pay for these trips.
Our staff are involved in field and captive studies internationally and in the UK, and have research links with organisations studying British wildlife and at Britain's most respected zoos.
Studying animal behaviour could make the difference between future generations seeing live examples of a species, or reading about them in a history book. It could help you to manage and enhance the habitats of zoo animals, or to educate the public on the importance of animal welfare. What you’ll learn on this course could take you into a career relating to domestic and captive animal management, animal training and behavioural rehabilitation, or zoo education to name but a few. The transferable scientific skills you’ll develop could also open up a career in the field or the laboratory – perhaps for a government agency or an environmental consultancy.
Course Details - Modules
Year one, core modules
Biology of Cells
Biomolecules
Mathematics for Science
Chemical Principles
Physical Principles
Physiology
Biological Diversity
Introduction to Evolution
Year two, core modules
Introduction to Animal Behaviour and Welfare
Animal Behaviour Research
Animal Form and Function
Wildlife and Conservation
Ecology
Evolution and Biodiversity
Biomeasurement
Introduction to Marine Biology
Year three, core modules
Evolution of Behaviour
Animal Health and Nutrition
Vertebrate Biology
Being a Biologist
Animal Learning and Training
Practical Skills for Animal Behaviour
Year three, optional modules
Parasitology
Principles of Genetics and Evolution
Year four, core modules
Behavioural Ecology
Cognition, Evolution and Behaviour
Applied Ethology and Animal Welfare
Undergraduate Major Project
Year four, optional modules
Zoos and Zoo Animal Management
Population Ecology and Wildlife Management
Human Behaviour Change for Animal Welfare
Tropical Ecology and Management
Animal Behaviour Counselling
Advanced Approaches in Animal Management
Course Details – Assessment Method
We’ll assess you in a number of ways, with most modules including a combination of written assignments and exams. For some modules, you may be asked to present or produce a poster, portfolio or workbook.
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:
C302
Institution code:
A60
Campus Name:
Cambridge Campus
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
5 GCSEs at grade 3, or grade D, or above, (or equivalent) plus evidence of having attempted two years of post GCSE study at level 3.
Students who have achieved a minimum of 1 A level (or equivalent), will be exempt from the two year post GCSE requirement (as stated above) but must still hold 5 GCSEs (as stated above).
Students without English as their first language will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 5.5 (Academic level with at least 5.5 in each of the four components) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognized by Anglia Ruskin University.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course