BSc (Hons) Applied Animal Welfare Science

NEW FOR 2028 ENTRY!

Make a difference to the lives of animals

Are you passionate about animals and want to turn that passion into a career that makes a real difference? Our new Animal Welfare Science degree gives you the opportunity to explore the science, ethics and practice behind improving the lives of animals.

Animal welfare is an exciting and rapidly evolving field, with growing demand for graduates who can bring together scientific knowledge, critical thinking and practical skills. On this multidisciplinary course, you’ll explore how biological sciences can be applied to understand, assess and improve animal welfare across a wide range of settings.

Develop the knowledge and skills to shape better futures for animals

You’ll explore contemporary animal welfare science alongside animal behaviour, ethics, sustainability and evidence-based management, developing the expertise needed to understand the complex challenges facing animals and the people responsible for their care.

The course combines scientific theory with practical application, giving you the opportunity to develop the skills to evaluate, monitor and improve animal welfare across a diverse range of animal populations, including captive, managed, agricultural, laboratory, companion and free-ranging animals.

You’ll learn how scientific evidence can inform real-world decisions and explore the challenges and opportunities involved in improving welfare in different contexts. This will help you develop the confidence to think critically, evaluate evidence and consider animal welfare from multiple perspectives.

Learn from experts in the field

You’ll be taught by experienced academics and practitioners whose expertise spans teaching, research and industry. Our subject specialists bring current knowledge and research directly into your learning, giving you the opportunity to engage with contemporary developments in animal welfare science and understand how they are shaping the future of the sector.

Prepare for your future career

From the outset, the course is designed with your future in mind. Alongside developing your subject knowledge, you’ll build research, analytical, communication, problem-solving and wider graduate employability skills that can help you standout to future employers.

Whether you aspire to work directly with animals, contribute to welfare policy and management, pursue research, or progress into postgraduate study, this course will provide a strong foundation for your future.

Join us at SGS College and develop the scientific knowledge, practical skills and professional confidence to help create better lives for animals and shape the future of animal welfare.

Your degree will be awarded by the University of Gloucestershire.

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Study Modules

AW4006

Scientific Laboratory Methods

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This module introduces you to fundamental laboratory techniques and scientific practices used within animal and biological sciences. You will develop practical skills in laboratory safety, sample handling, data recording, and basic analytical methods, while gaining an understanding of how laboratory approaches contribute to animal welfare science, health assessment, and biological research.

ZMC4001

Professional Industry Skills

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This is a skills-based module which aims to support and enhance the development of subject-based, generic and practical key skills. It integrates many areas of study, such as the development of professional standards of academic writing and communication, biology, research and analytical skills. Students will acquire real-world knowledge and skills that reinforce the understanding of academic subjects. These will include subjects such as, practical animal husbandry, academic reading and referencing and practical ecology and conservation. Work experience will provide an opportunity for the practical application of theory learned in taught sessions across the programme. A reflective review will be produced, to document skills development and reflect on professional skills needed in industry, observed during work experience which will consist of a minimum of 60 hours within the animal management and conservation sector. An introduction to research and key analytical skills will develop knowledge of scientific study within the natural sciences and conservation sector. You will carry out data collection and analysis of the results.

50% Assignment 1,250 words or equivalent

50% Portfolio 1,250 words or equivalent

ZMC4002

Biology of Animals

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This module will cover the biological principles that underpin the study of animal management and the fundamental processes of living organisms. Practical sessions will enable students to gain knowledge of animal physiology and an understanding of the reproductive and skeletal adaptations throughout the animal kingdom. The module will allow learners to develop knowledge of the key biological requirements that should be considered when managing captive animal populations.

60% Portfolio 3,000 words or equivalent

40% Unseen, closed book exam 2 hours (2,000 words equivalent)

ZMC4005

Taxonomy and Biological Identification

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This module will look at systematics and the theory of evolution as applied to the study of diversity within the animal kingdom. It will provide the underpinning knowledge and skills required to accurately and scientifically identify, name and classify a range of animal species. Practical skills in specimen collection and recording will also be learnt, as this practice plays a vital role for zoos that breed and manage animals for conservation programmes.

100 % Portfolio 2,500 words or equivalent

AW5004

Integrated Animal Welfare and Population Management

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How do humans manage animal populations ethically, sustainably, and operationally while balancing welfare, economics, conservation, and societal expectations? This module explores the welfare and management of animal populations living under human care or influence. You will examine how welfare science informs operational decision-making across a range of animal facilities and management systems.

AW5003

Human-Animal Interaction

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Within this module you will explore the relationships between humans, animals, and ecosystems, examining how human behaviour influences animal welfare, management practices, and environmental outcomes. You will investigate human-animal interactions (HAI), stakeholder perspectives, public attitudes, and communication strategies relevant to animal industries, conservation, and welfare management

AW5002

Animal Welfare Ethics & Policy

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This module explores the ethical, legal and policy frameworks underpinning animal welfare practice in contemporary society. Your critical evaluation skills will be developed through case studies and applied policy analysis.

ZMC5006

Research Methods and Design

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Animal management is a wide and varied field of study, requiring an interdisciplinary approach. Throughout this module, you will further develop research skills through lectures, classroom workshops and practical sessions. Skills will include: effective literature and information searching, hypothesis generation, data collection and analysis and scientific writing. Knowledge of how to design, plan and undertake scientific investigations within zoos and aquariums will be gained via critical evaluation of current research and students will collect data for analysis and presentation. You will build on the research and statistical analysis skills gained at Level 4. Equipped with the knowledge to plan, conduct and analyse scientific research, you will have developed a combination of research, practical and communication skills that will prepare them for their dissertation at Level 6.

80% Assignment 2,400 words or equivalent

20% Presentation 3 mins + 5 mins Q&A (600 words or equivalent)

AW6001

Advanced Animal Welfare Science

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You will critically examine contemporary animal welfare science through the study of affective states, cognition, emotion and advance welfare assessment. The module will explore how behavioural, physiological, and cognitive indicators are used to infer animal experiences across a range of species and management systems. Emphasis is placed on positive welfare, quality of life, and the scientific and ethical challenges associated with interpreting subjective states in animals. Through applied case studies, data interpretation, and critical engagement with current research, you will develop advanced skills in evidence-based welfare evaluation and intervention design.

AW6002

One World, One Health

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This module critically explores the interconnected relationships between human health, animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and ecosystem resilience through the lens of the One Health and One Welfare frameworks. You will examine how anthropogenic pressures, including intensive agriculture, habitat degradation, climate change, wildlife trade, pollution, and globalised food systems, shape disease emergence, animal suffering, biodiversity loss, and public health risks. You will develop advanced skills in interdisciplinary analysis, systems thinking, ethical evaluation, and evidence-based problem solving relevant to animal management, conservation, public health, and sustainability sectors.

AW6003

Improving Animal Welfare: Intervention, Management & Applied Solution

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This module focuses on applying accumulated knowledge of animal behaviour, welfare science, monitoring, and One Health principles to actively improve animal welfare in real-world contexts. You will engage with scenario-based learning involving emergencies, conservation interventions, veterinary care, transport, population management, critically evaluating and designing practical interventions aimed at reducing suffering, improving welfare outcomes, and mitigating human impacts across managed, captive, and wild animal populations. Applied decision-making, ethical reasoning, and welfare prioritisation under constraints form the core of the module.

ZMC6006

Research Project

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The research project gives an opportunity to conduct an original project on a relevant zoological/ conservation topic, in considerable depth. The focus will be negotiated in your area of interest but could take the form of a traditional dissertation, literature review or a reflective report (e.g., to accompany campaign materials or interpretation signs). It will enable you to demonstrate critical thinking, as well as proficiency in important skills such as initiative, effective communication, problem solving and time management. Improvement of these skills will be supported by sessions on key elements of project development. This module is undertaken on a relatively self-directed basis with supervisory meetings with an appropriate specialist. It is a progression from Level 5 studies and is complemented by taught modules at Level 6. The ability to complete this type of self-directed, critical, and rigorous investigation satisfactorily is generally considered to be a hallmark of graduate competence.

Coursework: Individual, presentation 20%

Coursework: Individual, dissertation/major project (6000 words or equivalent) 80%

Course Video

*This programme is subject to validation and delivery approval by the University of Gloucestershire.

APPLICATIONS FOR SEPT 2026 ENTRY ARE NOW CLOSED FOR THIS COURSE.APPLY VIA UCAS FOR FULL-TIME STUDY_(FULL-TIME)APPLY ONLINE FOR FULL-TIME STUDY_(FULL-TIME)APPLY ONLINE FOR PART-TIME STUDY_{(PART-TIME ONLY)}SGS Level 3 Guarantee Offer Scheme

Campus:

Bristol Zoo Project

University Centre WISE

Level:

Bachelors Degree

Full-time Duration:

3 Years

Full-time Fee (Per Year):

£9,500 (Subject to approval)

Part-time Duration:

6 Years

Part-time Fee (Per Year):

£4750 (Subject to approval)

UCAS Application Code:

AW01

UCAS Entry Tariff:

Lifelong Learning Entitlement Credits: 120 Full-time / 60 Part-time (Total Credit Value)

Entry Requirements

80 UCAS Tariff points from a relevant Level 3 qualification, such as A Levels, Extended Diplomas or Apprenticeships. GCSEs in English, Maths and Science are also required. Mature applicants with relevant work experience and GCSEs in English, Maths and Science will be considered on an individual basis.

CONTACT ADMISSIONS

Awarded by the University of Gloucestershire Awarded by the University of Arts London

Course info last updated:

October 6, 2026

Full-Time

Part-Time

Delivery Format

The delivery format for your degree-level programs is primarily face-to-face and in-person sessions. However, there may be some hybrid sessions offered occasionally, mainly for flexibility purposes, such as tutorials or for larger events like visiting lecturers. Additionally, it's mentioned that all degree programs are well-supported by Virtual Learning Environments, which include Teams or Google Classroom.

Additional Cost Information

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