The Foundation Degree Animal Welfare Science programme focuses on underpinning components that contribute to the overall welfare of animals in a range of settings and interactions.
The programme provides students with the opportunity to gain valuable practical experience within a scientific laboratory setting and on-site diverse animal collection whilst consolidating knowledge through the delivery of interactive theory sessions.
Our purpose-built animal unit houses a wide range of native and exotic mammals, reptiles and amphibians enabling the study and assessment of physiological and behavioural systems, providing students with an understanding of animal welfare in a range of contexts.
Specific emphasis is given to the importance of animal welfare within the broader context of the animal sector.
The programme offers a learning experience which has the student at its centre. Here, the approach of the programme team is focused on providing a friendly and supportive learning environment.
The programme is designed in a way that progressively prepares students for a career in a range of animal welfare science fields. At the heart of the design is a strong link with the local community where students gain a total of 80 placement hours across the two years of academic study. These links allow us to underpin the learning experience with a wide range of community engagement opportunities, giving real world relevance to student learning.
UCAS Course Code: ND24
If you are looking for a full-time or part-time course in Higher Education to study at UCNL, look no further as we explain the process of how to apply. You'll be on the path to success in no time at all!
All applications for entry to full time programmes must be made through the national Universities and College Admissions Service (UCAS)
When: as a general guide, applications can be made to UCAS between September and mid-January. Please check their website (www.ucas.com) for further information. We do consider applications throughout the year, although the earlier you submit, the earlier you will receive a decision and can start to plan accordingly.
How: Once you have found the perfect course on the study at UCNL page and you are ready to apply, you have a couple of options:
(Recommended) Make An Online Enquiry
Click the enquire button next to the course you wish to apply for. You will then be asked to fill out a form to help us speed up the process. Once we have your details, you can sit back and relax whilst you wait for one of our friendly and experienced staff to get in touch and guide you through the process.
Contact Us
You can also contact us directly with any queries you may have. Simply head over to our contact page and choose your preferred method.
UCAS
Alternatively, you can head directly to the UCAS website: http://www.ucas.ac.uk.
Please use the following details to find us on the UCAS website:
The UCAS Code for the DN Colleges Group is: N64 (The University Campus North Lincolnshire (UCNL)
Campus Code: N (UCNL)
Campus Code: D (University Centre Doncaster)
Please note that UCNL is part of the DN Colleges Group.
Once you have submitted your application, UCAS will send copies to all of your selected institutions.
Each will make a decision based on your application, and may invite you for an interview.
If we can offer you a place on a course, the offer will be communicated via UCAS TRACK.
If you are unable to meet the entry requirements for your chosen course, an institution could also offer you an alternative course, or will provide you with feedback about why they were unable to offer you a place.
If you receive an offer, it will either be:
- Conditional – you must meet certain conditions which are usually based on exam results.
- Unconditional – you have been accepted without any further conditions.
Offers should be accepted or declined. You may accept an offer as Firm or Insurance.
- Firm is your preferred choice.
- Insurance is your back-up choice.
All applications for part-time programmes should be made directly to UCNL, using a Higher Education Part Time Application form. This is available by emailing enquiries@ucnl.ac.uk. Alternatively, click the ‘enquire’ button located next to the course you wish to apply for.
Loans for tuition fees are available to full-time and part-time students (subject to current Government funding criteria), from Student Finance England and are known as 'Tuition Fee Loans'.
You will need to ensure that student finance is in place prior to the start of your course to ensure payments for tuition fees and maintenance grants are made in a timely fashion.
Please visit www.gov.uk/student-finance for more information and guidance. Should you need some assistance, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
UCNL has a range of financial support awards available for students. These include:
- The Student Opportunity Fund
This is also referred to as the Hardship Fund and is an amount of money UCNL holds in order to allocate to students facing financial hardship and difficulty. Applications to the fund can be made from late October throughout the academic year. This is NOT a loan and is not repayable.To qualify you must have applied for a student loan. If following this, you are still in hardship you may apply to the fund for help. Following a standard assessment, you may qualify for a termly payment based upon attendance or if you have an unexpected large expense you may qualify for a non-standard award to help towards the cost.Additionally, students facing unexpected financial difficulties may be eligible for a short term repayable loan. Information can be provided by the UCNL Information and Advice office. - Bursaries Students may also be able to apply for a number of financial bursaries. These include awards available to students who are care leavers and those from low participation neighbourhoods. Please note that there is a limited number of awards available. For further details, please contact the Information and Advice office.
- Council Tax Certificates Exemption certificates can be arranged for full-time Students only. Please contact the UCNL Information and Advice Office for further details.
We encourage all students to become members of The Student Society which is proactively involved in UCNL and creates the opportunity for students to provide feedback and share ideas and suggestions with regards to their student experience. The Student Society allows students the chance to develop their interests, to network and engage with other students and staff, to work in partnership with UCNL to achieve goals and to discuss their student experience.
We are always trying to find creative and innovate ways of inspiring our students to enhance their experience. In previous years the Student Society has been engaged in UCNL's first student-led conference, 'UCNL's Got Talent', has helped develop UNCL’s LGBTQ+ Group and has been responsible for providing a forum to discuss student suggestions, leading to changes such as the introduction of microwaves in the Bistro for HE students.
If you think that you could make a real difference and would like to join, please come to one of our advertised meetings or ask your Programme Leader about who you go to for more information.
This Student Charter has been developed in partnership between staff, students and members of the Student Society, setting out ways in which everyone will work together to make your time at UCNL enjoyable, successful and rewarding.
If you are interested in viewing our Student Charter follow this link.
Course Details
Full-time and part -time options are available for both years of the programme. Students are required to commit to attending for two days per week in term time. Past students have found this very helpful for balancing childcare and employment commitments. Work experience is a key component of the programme and students are given the time during the academic year to identify and undertake placements. Independent study is required throughout the academic year to complete assessments and prepare for lectures, seminars and tutorials.
Year 1
• Professional Development and Academic Skills
• Animal Husbandry and Handling
• Biological Systems
• Animal Health and Nutrition
• Animal Behaviour and Welfare
• Ecology and Conservation
Year 2
• Research Project and Data Analysis
• Breeding & Genetics
• Anthrozoology
• Applied Animal Behaviour
• Continuing Professional Development
• Animal Oncology
Entry Requirements
Applicants would normally be expected to have a minimum of 32 UCAS Tariff points or equivalent qualifications. We also encourage applications from mature students and we will give special individual consideration to those that are in this category and do not have the standard entry requirements. We have a long and successful record of supporting mature students, many of whom left formal education some time ago. e.g. 1/3 of students last year were 25+years.
Course Progression
The strong approach towards work based and placement learning can lead to careers in areas such as laboratory research and veterinary biotechnology industries, animal conservation and research, animal behaviour research, zoological and other collection personnel , animal training and health and welfare industries.
On successful completion of the Foundation degree in animal welfare science we now offer a BSc (top up) in Applied animal welfare science.
Assessment Methods
The FdSc Animal Welfare Science has a practical focus for many of the modules. Students have access to the UCNL’s purpose-built laboratories to undertake Animal Health, Genetics, and Anatomy practical sessions. On campus, we also have an Animal Management Unit with a wide range of species including avian, primates, invertebrates, mammals and aquatics.
Theory learning is supported by practical sessions and vocational, educational trips. Students have the opportunity to visit animal collections, museums and laboratories. Work placements are encouraged and students are supported in gaining relevant vocational experience. External field trips have included; the Natural History Museum, Crufts, Chester Zoo, Twycross Zoo and an international trip to Botswana.
Course Fees
Your Tuition fees cover the majority of costs associated with your programme (including registration, tuition and assessment).
Students will be required to purchase a lab coat and a kennel coat in preparation for starting the programme.
There will also be occasions when additional costs will occur, e.g. poster printing, trips and educational visits.
Books (you will have access to books from your module reading lists in the HE library, but you may want to buy your own copies).
If your programme includes a work placement, you may be required to pay for a Basic or Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
