Animal Science FdSc
- Level(s) of Study: Foundation degree / Undergraduate
- UCAS Code(s): D325; D326
- Start Date(s): September 2023
- Duration: Two years full-time or three years with placement
- Study Mode(s): Full-time / Sandwich
- Campus: Brackenhurst Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
This course teaches a combination of scientific knowledge and animal management skills. It is vocational in nature, with strong industry links utilised during work experience and career planning. It aims to develop graduates with strong scientific knowledge and technical skills that are sought by the animal industry. You’ll focus on key themes in animal management, including animal nutrition, animal reproduction, animal behaviour and animal health and disease. These key themes are strengthened through on-site lectures and practical field activities. Your experience is further enhanced by the use of visiting speakers and alumni. The FdSc involves a slightly different pace of learning compared to our BSc (Hons) courses, combined with a greater emphasis on applied aspects.
Which course is right for you?
We offer four animal science degrees, each with a different focus:
- FdSc Animal Science (this course) - is more vocational, with greater emphasis on practical and applied skills.
- BSc (Hons) Animal Biology - focuses on managed domestic species such as companion, working and farm animals.
- BSc (Hons) Zoo Biology - focuses on captive housed zoo animals and exotic species.
- BSc (Hons) Zoology - covers a diverse range of invertebrate and vertebrate species in relation to their biology, evolution, taxonomy and identification.
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Study is supported by our purpose-built Animal Unit - home to around 250 animals from 70 different species. -
We're ranked first in the UK for student satisfaction in Animal Science courses (National Student Survey, 2022) -
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 2023)
What you’ll study
This course is vocational in nature, with strong industry links utilised during work experience and career planning. Lectures cover the major principles of:
- animal health and disease
- animal behaviour
- animal reproduction
- animal nutrition.
The FdSc involves a slightly different pace of learning, compared to the BSc (Hons) courses, combined with a greater emphasis on applied aspects. You’ll learn about a range of topics by examining the impact they have on animals. This includes how animals are used for work, recreation, companionship, and food. Your learning will combine the study of wild animal populations with that of captive animals, with an emphasis on companion and livestock species.
Pathogen Biology
Learn about the biology of the different microorganisms and common pathogens in animals. This module will mix practicals and theory to establish pathogen classification, structure and reproduction.
Animal Behaviour and Management
Learn how animal behaviour affects management in animal collections. Apply handling techniques and the concept of behavioural signs of stress during practicals with a variety of species.
Animal Physiology
Gain a broad understanding of animal structure and function across a range of species. Practicals will teach you to identify the different tissues associated with major organs and body functions.
Nutrition Principles
Learn the nutrition principles associated with nutrient 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.
This is a placement year for students on the three-year course
Animal Nutritional Health
Investigate how nutrition affects animal health and understand diet formulation in a variety of species.
Disease Control and Epidemiology
Gain knowledge of the causes of animal diseases, and their control, surveillance and prevention.
Applied Animal Breeding
Gain knowledge of reproductive disorders in animals, their control and prevention. Practicals will cover artificial reproduction technologies and normal gamete morphology.
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.
Professional Development
Understand the different employment opportunities available in the animal industry. Identify key skills you still need to obtain to progress in your chosen career.
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.
Further information on what you'll study
Successful completion of this course to a satisfactory level allows progression on to the final-year of BSc (Hons) Animal Biology or BSc (Hons) Zoo Biology. This means you have the potential to gain a full BSc honours degree in three years.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
"We learn so much, and I have really enjoyed the modules for first year. The lecturers are really great and they really do care for your wellbeing. The lectures and work can be tough in first year, which I found, but it will feel worth it in the end. You don't realise how much you have learned and developed during the year."
(FdSc Animal Science student review, Student Crowd)
Video Gallery
How you’re taught
Your learning will benefit from a combination of small lecture groups, seminars and project work. You’ll be given the opportunity to focus your studies on the species of most interest to you. This is all complemented with practical classes, which will teach you a range of fundamental laboratory and field techniques required by industry. These practical activities will make use of our laboratory equipment, Animal Unit, poultry unit and farm.
You’ll also complete a project in an industry setting of your choice as part of your 150 hours of volunteer experience. This will facilitate opportunities for you to network with professionals within parts of the industry that you are most interested in.
Please note that field trip locations may vary and are subject to availability and change.
Contact hours
- Year 1 lectures/seminars/workshops (26%), independent study (74%)
- Year 2 lectures/seminars/workshops (24%), independent study (65%), placements (11%)
A placement year may be taken between year 1 and year 2 of study.
How you’re assessed
- Year 1 coursework (60%), written exam (33%), practical (7%)
- Year 2 coursework (67%), practical (33%)
Careers and employability
Your career development
Developed in conjunction with representatives from industry, the course is designed to maximise your potential in a broad range of animal-related careers, or to allow you to continue on to further study.
This course can lead to employment both in the UK and abroad, in various roles that include animal training, education, conservation, and research. There are also graduate employment opportunities encompassing endangered species recovery and marine biology. The transferable skills gained will open up a number of other career options to you.
Our graduates have gone on to work at organisations such as:
- wildlife parks
- zoological collections
- welfare organisations
- governmental departments.
You can also progress onto our BSc (Hons) Animal Biology or BSc (Hons) Zoo Biology course.
Placement opportunities
During the course, you'll undertake a minimum of 150 hours of voluntary work experience in the animal industry. Our students have previously been placed with companies such as
- Pfizer
- the Animal Health Trust
- Blackpool Zoo
- Taronga Zoo
- Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital
- the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation
- Logan Bleu Marine Conservation.
This will allow you to become familiar with the different sectors in the animal industry and take your first steps towards your future career.
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.
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
- 64 UCAS Tariff points from three qualifications, including an A-level Science subject grade D or equivalent.
- GCSE English, Maths and Science grade C / 4.
For this course we accept the following Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Human Biology, Zoology and Psychology.
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
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.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
- 64 UCAS Tariff points from three qualifications, including an A-level Science subject grade D or equivalent.
- GCSE English, Maths and Science grade C / 4.
For this course we accept the following Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Human Biology, Zoology and Psychology.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Please note this course is not open to students requiring a Tier 4 visa.
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:
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:
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 some students choose to purchase. Book costs vary between courses and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. A good supply of these essential text books are available both in paper format at the University libraries which students can easily borrow or access directly whilst studying in the library, and also in online access format.
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 and coat.
Tuition fees for September 2023 entry
Mode of study | International tuition fee |
Full-time | £15,600 |
Full-time with placement | £15,600 + £1,385 (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.
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 some students choose to purchase. Book costs vary between courses and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. A good supply of these essential text books are available both in paper format at the University libraries which students can easily borrow or access directly whilst studying in the library, and also in online access format.
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 and coat.
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.
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 for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.
Please note this course is not open to students requiring a Tier 4 visa.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. 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.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Advice on writing a good personal statement
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.
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