Animal Behaviour and Welfare - 2012 entry
Foundation Degree Fd(Sc)
Overview
Students will be able to interact with a wide variety of different animals
Students will be able to interact with a wide variety of different animals
Some of the course will be spent developing skills at Common Leys Farm
In Year 2, you will learn about animal wildlife and conservation
Abingdon and Whitney College
This course is run by the Department of Biological and Medical Sciences
The foundation degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare has been developed by Abingdon and Witney College, Oxford Brookes University and local employers in order to meet skills shortages in animal-related industries. Collectively the total UK animal health market is worth around £360 million per annum. The total market for cat and dog food alone is currently worth over £1.6 billion per annum, and the market grew by an estimated 12% in real terms between 2001 and 2006 (Mintel).
As well as being enrolled at Abingdon and Witney College, students will also be enrolled at Oxford Brookes University and so will be entitled to use the university’s facilities, such as the library and online resources.
As with most foundation degrees, the course is for people who have previous experience of their chosen subject of study. Students might, for example, have current or previous experience of working with animals or have studied for qualifications such as a national diploma in animal or equine science. However, we also welcome applications from people with a desire to gain qualifications which would equip them to work in an animal-related industry.
Why choose this course?
- You access the expertise and resources of both Oxford Brookes University who accredit the degrees and Abingdon and Witney College where the teaching takes place.
- You gain vital industry experience through a work placement, providing opportunities to apply the theory to real-life situations and enhancing your career opportunities.
- The Common Leys campus near Witney offers excellent facilities, housing a wide range of animals, where you can apply your classroom learning immediately in the field.
- We organise external visits and invite guest lecturers.
Teaching, learning and assessment
This is a full-time, modular course requiring two days' attendance per week for two years at Abingdon and Witney College, with additional time spent developing skills at Common Leys Farm and/or in a work placement. There are eight compulsory modules per year and the course has been designed to provide logical progression through the two years of study.
All teaching takes place at Abingdon and Witney College, although you also have access to Oxford Brookes' facilities. Teaching methods vary from module to module. Usually they include lectures, laboratory-based practical activities, sessions at Common Leys Farm, IT workshops, problem-solving classes, use of online resources and tutorial support. We also organise external visits and invite guest lecturers.
Throughout the course, teaching strategies adopted by module leaders will encourage a range of learning styles. The course aims to provide a balance between giving information and enabling students actively to assimilate, apply, question and critically reflect on what they have learnt.
At least 50% of assessment is coursework-based, and project work is assessed entirely by coursework. Transferable skills such as IT and report writing often form part of the assessment of individual modules.
Learning outcomes
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to demonstrate:
- knowledge in a range of scientific business disciplines and in particular those related to the care of animals
- the ability to apply that knowledge in developing appropriate solutions to work-based problems in animal-related industries
- the ability and discipline to complete a major body of work, to a required standard and to specific deadlines
- the motivation to develop their skills, thereby enhancing their value to industry.
In detail
CONTACT US
Admissions Tutor
lee.boyes@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1993 208151
Admissions Administrator
lifesciences1@brookes.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1865 483423
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Course content
This is a full-time, modular course requiring two days' attendance per week for two years at Abingdon and Witney College, with additional time spent developing skills at Common Leys Farm and/or in a work placement. There are eight compulsory modules per year and the course has been designed to provide logical progression through the two years of study.
The course will provide you with the knowledge, understanding and skills required for success in your current and future employment or for progression to an undergraduate honours degree.
The transferable skills gained on the course will enable you to adapt to changing circumstances, whether these arise from a shift in your own sphere of employment, promotion to supervisory or management roles, or general changes in the animal care industry.
As courses are reviewed regularly the module list may vary from that shown here.
Year 1
- Animal Anatomy and Physiology
- Animal Law and Ethics/Animals in Society
- Animal Nutrition
- Animal Welfare
- Introduction to Business
- Laboratory Science
- Learning and Professional Skills
- Practical Animal Husbandry Management
Year 2
- Animal Behaviour
- Animal Breeding
- Animal Health and Disease
- Animal Management and Collections
- Sustainability in the Equine and Land-Based Industries
- Exotics and Trade in the Animal Industry
- Industry-Based Project
- Wildlife and Conservation
Work placements
A key feature of all foundation degrees is that the theoretical knowledge acquired in the formally-taught part of the course is applied to real-life situations in the workplace. These skills will be developed in particular through the module on Practical Animal Husbandry Management. During your first year, you will develop your practical skills and work some additional weekdays and weekends either at Common Leys Farm or on an industrial placement.
We expect students to complete a minimum of 30 days' industrial work placement during Year 1, or to be in paid employment in an animal setting, to fulfil the practical requirements of the course. These days can be completed weekly or in block periods. Acquisition of skills and reflections on skills development will be recorded in the Profile of Professional Development (PPD).
Students using an industrial placement outside the college will still need to be assessed by members of staff from the college or by suitably-qualified employers in the workplace. In addition, some assignments from other modules will require application of theoretical knowledge to work at Common Leys Farm or workplace environments.
In Year 2, you will design and complete a project relevant to the workplace, based on the skills you have developed throughout the course and the experience you have gained in an animal-related industry. You will need to have links with an employer to complete the project and will be given help in finding a suitable employer if required.
Field trips
You go on a number of field trips to animal farms and zoos. For example, students visit Cotswold Wildlife Park, Whipsnade Zoo and Crufts, enabling you to see how the industry works and preparing you for future employment.
Key facts
CONTACT US
Admissions Tutor
lee.boyes@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1993 208151
Admissions Administrator
lifesciences1@brookes.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1865 483423
SOCIAL MEDIA
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Department
Department of Biological and Medical Sciences
Course length
Full-time: 2 years (2 days per week). Individual modules may be available.
Teaching location
Abingdon and Witney College
Start date
September 2012
UCAS code
D300 FdSc/AB20
Fees / funding
CONTACT US
Admissions Tutor
lee.boyes@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1993 208151
Admissions Administrator
lifesciences1@brookes.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1865 483423
SOCIAL MEDIA
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International students
Tuition fees
UK/EU students
Full-time: £6,000
Part-time: £4,000
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
+44 (0)1865 483088
finance-fees@brookes.ac.uk
Funding and scholarships
For general sources of financial support, see:
Apply / Entry reqs
CONTACT US
Admissions Tutor
lee.boyes@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1993 208151
Admissions Administrator
lifesciences1@brookes.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1865 483423
SOCIAL MEDIA
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Typical offers
We seek students who have the potential to make good scientists and accept that qualifications are not the only indicator of future potential. Typical offers include:
- 2 years' post-GCSE education (eg A-level, National Diploma/Certificate, Advanced Diploma) equivalent to 80 UCAS points.
- 1 year's post-GCSE education (eg AS-level, National Certificate) equivalent to 80 UCAS points and 1 year's work experience in a relevant industry (a supporting reference will be required).
Applicants with non-standard entry qualifications may be admitted with APL (accreditation for prior learning) or APEL (accreditation for prior experiential learning) in accordance with university regulations.
Specific entry requirements
Students must be at least 17½ years of age.
Please also see the university's general entry requirements.
English language requirements
Please see the university's standard English language requirements.
English language requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Border Agency's minimum language requirements as well as the university's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Full-time students should apply for this course through UCAS.
Conditions of acceptance
When you accept our offer you agree to the conditions of acceptance. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Student experience
CONTACT US
Admissions Tutor
lee.boyes@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1993 208151
Admissions Administrator
lifesciences1@brookes.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1865 483423
SOCIAL MEDIA
RELATED COURSES:
Specialist facilities
Common Leys Farm is our 60-acre campus near Hailey, Witney, which provides the practical facilities for a range of land-based courses including animal care. We provide an ideal learning environment with purpose-built indoor and outdoor units for small animals, a grooming parlour and modern kennel spaces. Students also have access to some larger animals such as horses, sheep, goats and cattle.
You can also find out more about the general facilities at Abingdon and Witney College here.
Support for students studying Animal Behaviour and Welfare
Although this course is not taught at Oxford Brookes, you will have access to all the university’s facilities and support services.
We understand that going into full-time or part-time education can have a big effect on people's lives. There may be a lot of questions you want to ask before you start on a course, and there may be times during your studies when you will want to seek information and advice from a reliable source.
Abingdon and Witney College has a dedicated independent team of advice and guidance staff for the benefit of both students and would-be students. Available throughout the year, they provide information, advice and confidential support services for all students. They are there to enable you to make informed decisions about your studies, and to help you deal with any difficulties which may arise. Find out more about the full range of support services here.
General support services
Supporting your learning
From academic advisers and support co-ordinators to specialist subject librarians and other learning support staff, we want to ensure that you get the best out of your studies.
Personal support services
We want your time at Brookes to be as enjoyable and successful as possible. That's why we provide all the facilities you need to be relaxed, happy and healthy throughout your studies.
After graduation
CONTACT US
Admissions Tutor
lee.boyes@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1993 208151
Admissions Administrator
lifesciences1@brookes.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1865 483423
SOCIAL MEDIA
RELATED COURSES:
Career prospects
Employment in the animal care industry is multi-faceted. There are many related areas that centre on animals but require skilled personnel for a variety of tasks. Graduates of this course may choose to work in zoology and animal conservation, animal collection management, or kennel, cattery and pet shop management, or pursue careers as insurance agents, nutritionists, journalists, lecturers or facility managers.
Further study
Graduates may choose to progress to our BSc (Hons) degree in Animal Biology and Conservation.
