Prepare to step into leadership roles developing project management and critical thinking skills with our Animal Welfare and Management to up.
Debate contentious sector issues and explore sustainable management and the importance of human behaviour change to leadership development.
You can develop your understanding of animal behaviour and use this knowledge to problem solve in practical animal settings. You'll also learn more about the rapidly developing human-animal interaction sector and gain an understanding of the benefits and consequences identified within this cross-disciplinary field.
Our strong industry and academic links mean you can develop and apply your research skills both on and off site.
You'll have access to our on campus zoo, which is a BIAZA member and has over 100 species to support learning and research.
The course is timetabled over two days a week, to reduce travel costs and make studying accessible for mature learners and the self-employed.
Course fees are extremely competitively priced, less than £2000 than other similar offers within the North East (and you may be eligible for an undergraduate student loan.
A relevant Level 5 land-based industry related qualification (e.g. a foundation degree in an animal welfare/management subject with a minimum average grade of 50% at Level 5) is required.
Alternatively, you could have substantial experience and demonstrable ability to study at Level 6, equivalent to 240 credits at Level 4 and 5.
APL arrangements are informed by the University of Cumbria's academic regulations.
| Study level | Cost | Additional fees |
|---|---|---|
| 19+ | please enquire | The following course-related costs are not included in the fees: PPE for work in the zoo – steel toe boots, navy blue overalls, wet/cold weather clothing Optional field trips may also incur a small entry fee. NB - Where these costs are prohibitive, applications to the Hardship Fund would be welcomed to ensure parity of experience. |
The programme uses predominantly face to face sessions with online and practical work where appropriate. The learning and teaching methods typically used by tutors include lectures, seminars, guest speakers, workshops, practical sessions, practical projects, case studies, and tutorials.
A significant amount of personal study time is expected to be undertaken by you, comprising of, for example, background reading, assignment work, and preparation for seminars and practical case studies. A social learning community, including a peer support programme, will further enhance this.
When not attending scheduled learning activities you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study.
The BSc Top Up teaching team consists of a range of experienced higher education tutors with a strong industry background and interest in ethical practice and sustainability. All tutors have postgraduate qualifications, which include equine science, psychology, animal behaviour, environmental conservation, and leadership and management.
Assessment tasks are linked to the learning outcomes of each module and are scheduled throughout the modules. Assessment typically consists of practical and theoretical work and is carefully designed to enhance knowledge and critical thinking, alongside a range of practical and transferable skills. Assessments include presentations, written assignments and project work, with embedded application of technology as appropriate to develop digital skills.
You will have formative assessment opportunities to help you learn and develop your knowledge and skills, as well as summative assessments on which you will be graded.
There is no requirement to undertake a placement during the top up year.
Industry and academic experts are invited in as guest speakers to support delivery throughout the year. In addition to guest speakers, visits are included to enhance theoretical and practical content.
In addition to attending lectures, you will need to spend an extra 10-15 hours week on independent study, which will include completing recommended reading, assessment preparation and conducting research for your dissertation.
The programme will be delivered on a full-time basis, with face-to-face lectures. You will be expected to attend sessions at the Kirkley Hall campus for two days per week to increase flexibility and accessibility. Tutorials, dissertation supervision and pastoral support may take place outside of this rudimentary requirement as convenient to both you and your named support tutor(s).
At Level 6 you will typically have around 7-8 contact hours per week, with additional tutorial time as required, and this will be timetabled over two days on site. These contact hours will vary between lectures, practical work, external visits, seminars, group and individual workshops and tutorials dependent on each module.
Delivery will be scheduled for weekdays between 9am and 4:15pm within the usual academic year (i.e. September to May).
The BSc (Hons) Animal Welfare and Management Top Up programme is offered to enable tertiary level graduates to utilise knowledge of contemporary welfare and management issues and inform the application of practical skills that are vital to industry.
The programme has been designed to offer progression opportunities to FdSc graduates from a range of animal management courses, and to allow continued development of graduate level skills. You will study applied animal behaviour, human-animal interactions, sustainable management and review current issues debated within the animal sector. In addition, you will design and undertake an industry project as part of your dissertation.
Graduates will have the opportunity to progress to a career in animal welfare or management, lecturing, career specialisms in the marketing of veterinary and scientific products, or to continue into postgraduate study.
You will study modules including:
- Applied Animal Behaviour
- Human-Animal Interactions
- Sustainable Management
- Reviewing Current Issues within the Animal Sector
In addition, you will design and undertake an industry project as part of your dissertation.
University of Cumbria
Successful completion of this course will result in the awarding of 120 credits.
The course has a well-rounded base of animal management skills which would suit progression directly into an animal welfare or management career, or, if preferred, the skills to diversify into a range of self-employed and entrepreneurial enterprises.
Our course is designed with equal focus on the principles of animal welfare, animal management, animal behaviour and human animal interactions (anthrozoology), all of which are rapidly emerging, cross-disciplinary fields of study with considerable public interest.
The ability to identify and solve animal behaviour problems is advantageous to anyone wishing to pursue a career in behaviour modification work, and the principles of ethology (studying animals in the wild) are also included for those wishing to pursue a career in the field.
An awareness of current animal welfare, management and ethical issues will be of benefit to any career in the sector.
Equally, an understanding of why people perceive and behave towards animals as they do, and why animals behave as they do towards us, will be of considerable advantage when working with diverse groups of both people and animals. This applies to careers within the animal sector, such as such as in zoos, animal sanctuaries, pet shops, boarding kennels, laboratories, wildlife parks, or with charities such as the Blue Cross, PDSA and RSPCA, or in education and educational support roles.
The communication and presentation skills gained mean opportunities may also be pursued in marketing, sales, retail, management and advisory roles. Developing your ability and confidence in using technological software and packages will boost your employability profile across multiple career sectors.
For those of you wishing to continue your studies, the course includes opportunities to discuss studying at Masters level, and advice from staff and alumni in terms of these next steps.
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