Welcome to the School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences
We are committed to the education, research and innovation needed to build a sustainable future.
Now more than ever, our planet is facing some tough challenges. With a growing population putting inevitable pressure on the Earth’s resources, plotting the path to a sustainable future has never been more vital. We’re committed to developing staff and students who can make a meaningful difference.
We undertake teaching and research in a range of land-based disciplines at NTU’s dedicated Brackenhurst Campus. This campus has a proud professional heritage, having delivered courses in these subject areas for over 70 years. Today, we’re firmly focused on developing graduates with 21st century skills, scientific knowledge and experience.
Our high-impact research is focused around four core themes: the natural environment; ecology and conservation; sustainable agriculture and food security; and animal behaviour, performance and welfare. We aspire for excellence through international and interdisciplinary collaboration, and foster a research environment that rewards innovation. Our research is recognised both nationally and internationally, often informing professional practice across the sector.
We’re a small and friendly School, and pride ourselves on the diligence and enthusiasm of our teaching and support teams. Our staff have a genuine passion for their subjects and are active researchers or practitioners, committed to helping students realise their ambitions.
Come and join us, and be part of our exciting and vibrant community.
Latest News
The most experienced cat owners are giving their pets unwelcome affection, study suggests
Mon 08 Aug 2022
Ten fence types at increased odds of a fall for horse and rider
Mon 01 Aug 2022
Some female bears may select dens near to people to keep the threat of males away
Mon 18 Jul 2022
Bronze Ecotrophelia prize awarded to NTU students
Fri 24 Jun 2022
Equine students run a charity dressage event in aid of British Equestrians for Ukraine
Fri 17 Jun 2022
Expert blog: A short history of our relationship with raptors
Fri 17 Jun 2022
Our Research Groups and Centres
Natural Environment
Natural Environment
Research in this area explores environmental issues, including the principles underlying the exploitation of natural resources and waste management.
Ecology and Conservation
Ecology and Conservation
The Ecology and Conservation Research Group is comprised of research active staff and PhD students from the College of Science and Technology, who share an interest in species and habitat conservation and improving our understanding of ecological interactions.
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security
The group focuses on teaching modern production methods and management of plant crop, agronomy and post-harvest issues. We also specialise in delivering the knowledge and skills needed to implement safe practices in the production of food.
Centre for Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences Research
Centre for Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences Research
Research in this area explores environmental issues, the exploitation of natural resources, sustainable agriculture, climate change, animal sciences, and waste management.
Integrated Water, Energy and Food (IWEF) Centre
Integrated Water, Energy and Food (IWEF) Centre
The iWEF research centre is a multidisciplinary research platform designed to study water pollution, industrial gas pollution, solid waste recycling, green energy production and food safety in an integrated manner.
Our latest publications
Members of the pod: do marine mammal trainers perceive a bond with the animals they care for?
In silico ligand docking approaches to characterise the binding of known allosteric modulators to the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor and prediction of ADME/Tox properties
Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) eventing: fence‐level risk factors for falls during the cross‐country phase (2008‐2018)
Efficacy and safety of intramuscular administration of tixagevimab–cilgavimab for early outpatient treatment of COVID-19 (TACKLE): a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Phylogeography of Panthera tigris in the mangrove forest of the Sundarbans
The impact of COVID-19 zoo closures on behavioural and physiological parameters of welfare in primates
Top 15 in the UK for Agriculture, Forestry and Food courses (Guardian University Guide 2022).
Top 5 for student satisfaction in Environmental Sciences subjects (National Student Survey, 2022)
First for student satisfaction in Animal Science subjects (National Student Survey, 2022)
Top 10 for student satisfaction in Geography subjects (National Student Survey, 2022)
Top 15 in the UK for Agriculture and Forestry courses (Complete University Guide 2023)