About Bsc (hons) Animal Behaviour And Welfare in University of Plymouth
Course Details
Are you passionate about understanding animal behaviour and applying this knowledge to improve welfare? Do you want to explore the evolution of behaviour in a variety of species? Applying an understanding of animal needs and health, you consider the many aspects of animal welfare, including an examination of the legal and ethical frameworks that safeguard welfare. You also undertake practical work, conducting behavioural and welfare assessment studies, gaining the skills sought by employers.
In the 2019 National Student Survey, 100% expressed overall satisfaction with the course; 93% of students felt staff on this course were good at explaining things; 83% felt that the staff made the subject interesting and 93% found the course intellectually stimulating.
Key features
- You will build a strong foundation in the fundamental science that underpins the study and understanding of behaviour and welfare - including ecology, evolution, microbiology, physiology, nutrition, health and disease. You will then build onto this with in-depth study of behaviour, welfare and their links in your second and final years of study.
- You will take part in residential field courses in South Devon and the Netherlands, allowing you to develop and apply the understanding you gain through lectures and to study animal behaviour in both wild and captive settings - the latter including zoos and agricultural settings.
- You will benefit from our collaborations with Dartmoor Zoo, Paignton Zoo, Newquay Zoo, the Donkey Sanctuary and National Marine Aquarium, which enable a number of field-trips throughout your course to look at captive animal behaviour, welfare, conservation and rehabilitation.
- You will have opportunity to boost your employability by taking a Placement Year between your second and final years of study, working in the industry, anywhere in the world - you can read more about this in the 'course details' section of this page.
- You can broaden your horizons by taking your second year at one of a range of universities overseas offered in our Year Abroad scheme.
- You will be supported pastorally and academically by a Personal Tutor throughout your studies, and will have regular 1:1 meetings to discuss your progress formally.
- You will interact with and be lectured by academic staff who are research-active and well regarded in their fields.
- You will undertake self-study throughout your course, using our well-equipped Library and range of online scientific journals, as well as LABPlus, our unique laboratory and resource centre designed for science and engineering students, which will provide you with flexible workspace, computing facilities, specialist software and bioinformatic applications, access to microscopes, cameras and bespoke resources designed by academic staff to support specific modules as well as more general self-study.
Academic qualification equivalents
Standard 12th qualifications (CBSE/ICSE or State Boards of equivalent)
Grade: Minimum aggregate of 60% and above
English language requirements (one of the below):
- IELTS 5.5 overall (6.0 for integrated programmes)
- IELTS 5.5 in all four components (listening, reading, speaking and writing)
- PTE 42 (50 for integrated programmes)
- PTE 42 in all four components (listening, reading, speaking and writing)
University of Plymouth Highlights
Type |
Public |
Campus Setting |
Rural |
Application mode |
Panther Application or Common Application |
Student Retention rate |
68% |
Cost of Attendance (2020-21) |
39,322 USD |
Number of Students |
UG: 4,100 PG: 1,758 |
Academic calendar |
Semester-based |
Student-Faculty ratio |
18:1 |
Financial Aids |
Scholarships, grants, loans, and Pell grants |
Graduation rate |
54% |
Tuition fee |
UG: 23,902 USD PG: varies |
University of Plymouth Average Tuition Fees And Other Expenses
- Cost of attendance for various 2020-21:
Financials |
UG |
PG |
Tuition and Mandatory Fees |
23,902 USD |
765 USD (Per Credit) + 695+780 USD (CAGS+EDD) |
Room and meals |
11,580 USD |
11,580 USD |
- The mandatory fee (2,622 USD annually) breakdown can be seen as:
Charges |
Amount |
Athletics |
290 USD |
Student Activities |
190 USD |
Transportation fee |
16 USD |
Student Health fee |
380 USD |
Student Recreation |
502 USD |
Educ. Technology |
466 USD |
Registration |
100 USD |