Animal Biology BSc (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- Typical Offer: 104 - 112 UCAS tariff points
- UCAS Code(s): C301 / C302
- Start Date(s): September 2024
- Duration: Three years full-time or four years with placement
- Study Mode(s): Full-time / Sandwich
- Campus: Brackenhurst Campus
Introduction:
Explore the fascinating animal kingdom and the scientific principles that underpin this important and wide-ranging subject area. The course will give you a sound knowledge and understanding of animal biology. Your lectures will cover major scientific principles, including anatomy and physiology, behaviour, genetics, ecology, and nutrition. The course focuses on the study of companion and livestock species. Core scientific study is supported by practical animal handling in our specialist unit.
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Based at our Brackenhurst Campus you will have access to our Animal Unit which houses over 250 animals from 70 different species. You'll also benefit from our working farm, including a herd of Lincoln Red cattle, a specialist cattle roundhouse and a flock of sheep. -
We're ranked third in the UK for Animal Science students who are positive about the assessment and feedback on their course (Full-time first degrees, National Student Survey 2023) -
We're ranked second in the UK for the number of year-long placement undergraduates studying Animal science (HESA data 2021/22) -
We're ranked first in the UK for teaching quality in Animal Science courses. (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)
Which course is right for you?
We offer three animal science degrees, each with a different focus:
- BSc (Hons) Animal Biology (this course) / BSc (Hons) Animal Biology (with foundation year) - focuses on managed domestic species such as companion, working and farm animals.
- BSc (Hons) Zoo Biology / BSc (Hons) Zoo Biology (with foundation year) - focuses on captive housed zoo animals and exotic species.
- BSc (Hons) Zoology / BSc (Hons) Zoology (with foundation year) - covers a diverse range of invertebrate and vertebrate species in relation to their biology, evolution, taxonomy and identification.
What you’ll study
Your lectures will cover major scientific principles, including:
- anatomy and physiology
- behaviour
- genetics
- ecology
- nutrition.
You'll apply these principles in a range of contexts and focus on the key aspects of animal welfare, breeding and management. The course focuses on the study of companion and livestock species, and their housing, management and nutrition.
Animal Physiology
Gain a broad understanding of animal structure and function across a range of species. Explore cell physiology, principles of anatomy and physiology and the physiological systems of a broad range of animal species.
Animal Husbandry
Learn how to successfully manage animal collections and develop practical handling skills across a range of species.
Animal Behaviour
Study patterns of behaviour and the reasons why animals behave as they do in managed housing systems.
Nutrition Principles
Learn the nutrition principles associated with nutrients’ classification, digestive systems in animals and the basics of animal metabolism.
Animal Reproduction and Genetics
Learn the underpinning principles of animal genetics and how these link with reproductive physiology. Practical sessions will investigate assisted reproductive technologies and how these increase an animal’s reproductive success in captivity.
Animal Health and Disease
Gain an understanding of the causes of disease, the function of the animal immune system and influences of management on animal health. Develop technical and analytical laboratory skills relevant to the animal industry and gain an understanding of how these techniques are utilised in animal disease investigation.
Disease Investigation and Epidemiology
Study the causes, processes and control of infectious and non-infectious diseases of current veterinary and/or conservation importance. Apply knowledge of pathogen biology and disease processes to contemporary management issues in animal populations.
Applied Animal Breeding
Gain knowledge of reproductive disorders in animals, their control and prevention. Practicals will cover artificial reproduction technologies and normal gamete morphology.
Physiology of Behaviour
Explore the way in which animals behave in relation to their environment. Learn and understand key areas of mammalian physiology and pharmacology, and how this relates to behaviour.
Research Skills
Explore the principles of scientific investigation in relation to animal science. Topics covered include experimental design, data generation and collection, and data analysis. You'll also explore commonly used statistical packages.
Animal Nutritional Health
Investigate how nutrition affects animal health and understand diet formulation in a variety of species.
Animal Cognition and Training
Understand how animal cognition affects training. Develop training skills to enable you to apply different approaches to training animals and reducing behavioural problems.
This is a placement year for students on the four-year course
Applied Animal Nutrition
Study advanced topics in nutritional science. These include clinical nutrition, recent advances in the field, ethical and sustainability issues in nutritional provision for animals under human care, and research methods relevant to the nutritional sciences.
Anthrozoology
Explore all facets of human-animal interaction, including implications on wild animal behaviour and conservation, the use of zoo animal ambassadors, human-animal relationships and the human-animal bond.
Adaptive Physiology
Study the physiological challenges presented by different environments and the adaptations that enable animals to overcome them. Explore how features of animal form and function have arisen and the factors that have likely shaped them.
Animal Genetics
Learn the principles and techniques of molecular genetics in relation to animal science. Explore the mechanisms of change within a genome. Develop an awareness of genetic applications and associated ethics within modern society.
Dissertation
You will undertake an independent research project. This is an opportunity to take an in-depth look at a subject of personal interest to you within the field of animal biology.
Video Gallery
How you’re taught
Throughout the course, you’ll hear from external industry professionals through guest lectures and visits to a range of animal establishments. Your assessment will be based on coursework and formal examinations. You'll also have the opportunity to complete research or a work placement abroad.
You’ll also be encouraged and supported to gain important and relevant industry experience at appropriate companies, such as welfare organisations or feed manufacturers, throughout the course. Our students have previously been placed with companies such as Pfizer, the Animal Health Trust, the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, GLW Feeds, and at commercial farms.
Please note that field trip locations may vary and are subject to availability and change.
Contact hours
- Year 1 lectures/seminars/workshops (26%) and independent study (74%)
- Year 2 lectures/seminars/workshops (26%) and independent study (74%)
- Year 3 lectures/seminars/workshops (20%) and independent study (80%)
A placement year may be taken between year 2 and year 3 of study.
How you’re assessed
- Year 1 coursework (50%), written exam (33%), practical (17%)
- Year 2 coursework (50%), written exam (17%), practical (33%)
- Year 3 coursework (83%), written exam (17%)
Careers and employability
Your future career
Developed in conjunction with representatives from industry, the course is designed to maximise your potential in a broad range of animal-related careers.
93% of our BSc (Hons) Animal Biology graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their degrees
(of those available for work or study, latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21).
Your potential areas for employment include:
- welfare organisations
- feed companies
- governmental department
- non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Our graduates have become animal feed scientists, laboratory technicians, research assistants, animal health coordinators and programme managers in a range of animal-based organisations. They have gone on to work for companies such as the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition and AB Agri. You could also progress to postgraduate study.
Placement opportunities
During your course you'll be supported to gain relevant industry experience and have the opportunity to take a year-long placement. Our students have previously been based at places such as welfare organisations or feed manufacturers.
Students have carried out placements at companies such as:
- Pfizer
- the Animal Health Trust
- the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition
- GLW Feeds
- commercial farms.
You will be given the opportunity to focus your studies/work placements on the species of animal that is of most interest to you.
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.
What our students are doing now
Debra Holliday
Debra Holliday graduated from NTU with an Animal Biology BSc (Hons). She talks about how her degree and experiences at NTU enabled her to have a successful career in the animal nutrition industry. She also talks about why she’s chosen to stay in Nottinghamshire.
Andreea Mihailescu
Zoe Russell
Campus and facilities
Animal Unit
During this course, your theoretical studies will be complemented by the use of our specialist Animal Unit. Housing over 250 animals and more than 70 species, you'll get the opportunity to study a diverse range of companion animals, reptiles, birds, fish and other small animals, as well as larger animals including donkeys, horses and goats. Qualified and experienced academic and technical staff provide expert tuition in animal handling, animal training, environmental enrichment and much more.
You'll also use our specialist cattle roundhouse that can be used for animal observations and to develop your handling skills of larger breeds.
Research
You’ll find a variety of equipment available at the Animal Unit to support your research project:
- A thermal camera
- Digital camcorders with specialist software
- Time lapse camera
- Mammal traps
- Digital video recording facilities in some animal rooms
Volunteering
Why not broaden your horizons and give something back by taking part in our Animal Unit’s successful volunteer programme?
The animal unit volunteer programme is an extra-curricular opportunity open to all students at Nottingham Trent University. You’ll get the chance to work closely with our qualified and skilled team of technicians on a variety of tasks such as maintenance, health checks, medical administration and behaviour management such as enrichment and training.
These sessions are recognised and verified by the Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) to support your CV and boost your employability.
Entry requirements
- Standard offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications, including A-level Biology grade C or equivalent.
- Contextual offer: 104 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications, including A-level Biology grade C or equivalent.
Please note we also consider Biology modules as part of BTECs and other qualifications.
Contextual offers
A lower offer may be made based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer and we get data from UCAS to make these decisions. NTU offers a student experience like no other and this approach helps us to find students who have the potential to succeed here but who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Find out how we assess your application.
Other qualifications and experience
We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.
Access to Higher Education courses
If you’re aged 19+ and don’t have the qualifications to meet the entry criteria, you can study an Access to HE course right here at NTU. These one-year courses are designed specifically as an alternative route to university.
Meeting our entry requirements
Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS tariff points attached to specific grades, including A levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
- 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications, including A-level Biology grade C or equivalent.
Please note we also consider Biology modules as part of BTECs and other qualifications.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)
You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
Additional Costs
Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Field trips
Non-residential UK day excursions are included in the tuition fee. You will be charged a maximum of 20% of the price per student cost for any compulsory residential trips or courses in the UK, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and entrance fees where applicable. For example, a typical 5-day UK residential field trip cost would be approx. £500 per student, and we would ask for a £100 contribution from students. You will be charged a maximum of 30% of the price per student cost for any compulsory overseas residential courses, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and associated trip fees where applicable. For example, a typical 6-day residential overseas field trip cost would be approx. £600 per student, and we would ask for a £180 contribution from students. Other non-compulsory field trip opportunities, in the UK and abroad, may also be offered, and these will be charged at 80% cost to students. A valid passport and any associated visas will also be required for field trips outside of the UK.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Other costs
All students will also be expected to provide their own appropriate fieldwork clothing, including walking boots (with ankle support), wellingtons, waterproof trousers, coat and overalls for working on the animal unit.
Tuition fees for September 2024 entry
Mode of study | International tuition fee |
Full-time | £17,150 |
Full-time with placement | £17,150 + £1,850 (placement year) |
Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your undergraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Additional costs
Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Field trips
Non-residential UK day excursions are included in the tuition fee. You will be charged a maximum of 20% of the price per student cost for any compulsory residential trips or courses in the UK, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and entrance fees where applicable. For example, a typical 5-day UK residential field trip cost would be approx. £500 per student, and we would ask for a £100 contribution from students. You will be charged a maximum of 30% of the price per student cost for any compulsory overseas residential courses, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and associated trip fees where applicable. For example, a typical 6-day residential overseas field trip cost would be approx. £600 per student, and we would ask for a £180 contribution from students. Other non-compulsory field trip opportunities, in the UK and abroad, may also be offered, and these will be charged at 80% cost to students. A valid passport and any associated visas will also be required for field trips outside of the UK.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Other costs
All students will also be expected to provide their own appropriate fieldwork clothing, including walking boots (with ankle support), wellingtons, waterproof trousers, coat and overalls for working on the animal unit.
How to apply
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
Writing your application and personal statement
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades.
Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It’s your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You’ve got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you’re applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.
Please remember to include any information about relevant work experience.
Keeping up-to-date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page. Good luck with your application!
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
You can apply directly to the University for an undergraduate course if you’re not applying to any other UK university in the same year. If you are applying to more than one UK university you must apply through UCAS.
Apply as early as you can so that you have time to prepare for your studies. If you need a visa to study here you need to plan this into your application.
- For a step-by-step guide on making an application to the University please visit our how to apply page.
- For advice on applying for a visa please visit our visa information page.
- For advice on how to write a good personal statement please visit our personal statement page.
Keeping up-to-date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Good luck with your application!
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
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