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Animal Science BSc Honours

  • UCAS code: C305
  • Full time
  • 3 years

In this Animal Science BSc Honours degree, you'll focus on understanding animal behaviour, nutrition and physiology, while developing the practical skills you need for a wide range of careers.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year: 2025


Next start date:

  • September 2025

Fees (per year)

  • Home: Not set
  • International: £30600

Entry requirements and offers

  • A-Level:
  • IB: 32 points

UCAS Institution name and code:

  • NEWC / N21
Understanding scholarships and funding webinar. Wednesday 13 November 13:00 GMT

Course overview

We place a particular emphasis on the scientific study of livestock and companion animals (including horses). You'll study subjects that reflect the whole life of an animal:

  • microbiology and biochemistry
  • animal health and behaviour
  • animal reproduction and nutrition

We bring your learning to life through extensive interaction with animals throughout your degree. You'll gain practical experience through regular visits to local animal centres and the University's two farms. You'll also enjoy input from professionals in the animal science industry.

Your third-year group project to organise a conference on animal science equips you with marketable skills such as project management, organisation and teamwork.

You can boost your employability and professional skills with an optional placement year in industry, or a summer internship in the commercial sector. 

An exciting part of your degree is your research project, where you undertake a piece of original research on a subject of your choice. This may be carried out in the lab, at one of the University's farms or at an animal centre. You also have the chance to study and learn alongside staff in the Animal Science research group, who are internationally recognised for their research.

Study at the cutting edge

Our curriculum is shaped by the discoveries of the University's specialist Animal Science research group. They have particular expertise in the assessment of animal welfare and the development of sustainable systems of livestock production.

You will study modules designed around the latest research discoveries of our staff, meaning you will be learning at the cutting edge of the discipline.

As the degree progresses, you can tailor it to your own animal interests, specialising in either companion animals (including cats, dogs, horses and other less common pet species) or farm animals (including cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry). However, you will also maintain some study of the other animal grouping.

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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions

This stage provides a solid base in the underlying science of domestic animals, covering:

  • health
  • microbiology
  • biochemistry
  • physiology

We’ll also introduce you to the important concepts of sustainable development in collaboration with other degrees.

You’ll also get academic and professional skills training to support and enhance your success in your degree and beyond.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Agri-Food Supply Chains 10
Animal Health 10
Introduction to Animal Physiology 10
Sustainability in Practice 20
Academic and Professional Skills 20
Introduction to Sustainability 20
Cells and Biomolecules 20
Optional Modules Credits
Introduction to Business Management 10
Natural Science Research Impact 10

You’ll continue to develop your knowledge of animal biology. You’ll apply scientific principles to nutrition, parasitology, animal reproduction and genetic improvement.

We’ll also introduce you to more applied topics such as:

  • sustainable animal production systems
  • behaviour
  • feed science

During your Sustainable Solutions module, you’ll have an exciting opportunity to solve a real-world problem. You’ll form a consultancy team and develop a sustainable solution to a real-world problem posed by industry collaborators.

We encourage all our students to consider a placement or study abroad year between Stages 2 and 3.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Animal Feed Science and Technology 10
Domestic Animal Reproduction and Genetic Improvement 10
Sustainable animal production systems 20
Dissertation and Research Preparation 10
Sustainable Solutions 10
Macro- and Micronutrients 20
Optional Modules Credits
Human Resource Management 20
Career Development for second year students 20
Current Trends in Agricultural Markets 10
Farm Business Management 10
Animal Parasitology 10
Marketing Strategy 20
Animal Behaviour 10
Animal Function (Physiology and Development) 20
Vertebrate Biology 20

Other optional modules may also be available.

In your final year, our teaching will draw on the latest scientific discoveries.

Your research project, guided by your supervisor, will be 25% of your marks. It can be lab-based, carried out at one of our University farms, or an animal centre.

During this stage, you’ll work as a group to organise a conference. It’ll be on the current issues in animal science. It’s a great opportunity to improve your skills in project management, organisation and teamwork.

For your optional modules, you can choose to focus on your own interests. You can choose from applied animal nutrition, animal welfare and behaviour and more. You’ll explore the latest technologies and get a global perspective.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Animal Science Conference - Current Issues and Debates 20
Reproduction in Farm and Companion Animals 10
Applied Animal Nutrition 10
Animal Welfare and Behaviour 20
Dissertation 30
Optional Modules Credits
Career Development for final year students 20
Forage Utilization 10
Your Future - occupational awareness 10
Insight, Innovate, Impact 10
Physiological Zoology 20

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

On average, you'll have around 25 contact hours a week through a combination of lectures, seminars, and group tutorials.

Theoretical teaching is reinforced through visits to animal centres, the University's farms and other farming businesses.

Throughout the course, you carry out project work and submit reports, both as individuals and in groups.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

  • Assignments – written or fieldwork

  • Case studies

  • Coursework

  • Dissertation or research project

  • Examinations – practical or online

  • Group work

  • Practical sessions

  • Presentations

  • Projects

Skills and experience

Practical skills

We’ll arrange frequent field trips to a range of animal centres and our farms. These trips will help you:

  • apply your learning
  • develop your practical lab skills
  • form a close-knit bond with your peers

You can also sign up at the farms to get extra hands-on animal management experience and develop your skills.

Business skills

We encourage all our students to take a placement year between Stages 2 and 3. You can spend this year working in the industry or studying abroad.

If you study abroad, you’ll join one of our many global partner universities where teaching is in English.

Many of our modules have input from industry. This can include:

  • guest lectures
  • industry-set challenges
  • business visits
  • industry events

Newcastle University also offers a range of internships, career development modules and extra-curricular opportunities.

Research skills

In your final year, you'll complete your Animal Science Research Project in an area of your choice, such as:

  • animal health
  • behaviour
  • welfare
  • reproduction 
  • nutrition

Your project is an opportunity to review the current science, plan, and implement a piece of research before discussing your findings. Some of our students even present their findings at cutting-edge conferences before they graduate.

Your project can be lab or field-based. And it can include the use of animal-wearing sensor technology.

Opportunities

Study abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

You can choose to spend up to a year studying at a partner institution overseas.

If you choose to study abroad, it will extend your degree by a year. 

Find out more about study abroad

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year.  Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements.

Facilities and environment

Facilities

Agriculture is based in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at our city-centre campus. During your studies, you'll have access to two commercial farms near Newcastle.

Our University farms, Cockle Park Farm and Nafferton Farm, will give you an insight into how real-world farms operate, so you're prepared for your future. Our farms are used for research, teaching and demonstration.

You'll have the opportunity to access modern laboratories equipped with industry-standard equipment. You'll also use NU-Food, our food and consumer research facility.

You'll be able to use our computing facilities, including computers running industry-standard software used in agriculture businesses, to help ensure you're career-ready.

Support

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.

There's also a staff-student committee, to give you an opportunity to have a say in how your degree works.

Your future

An Animal Science BSc degree can prepare you for a career in animal science, agriculture and the environmental sector.

This degree can help you pursue a career in:

  • animal welfare
  • animal nutrition
  • animal breeding
  • animal health

Career examples could include:

  • research scientist working in product development
  • account manager for an animal health company

Join a network of successful graduates

Newcastle graduates have a strong reputation in the industry. They’re sought after for many animal-based roles, including graduate schemes in the:

  • food supply sector, such as Cranswick
  • animal reproduction and genetic improvement, such as Genus

Recent graduates have found roles as:

  • Dairy Customer Agricultural Manager at Arla Foods
  • Dog Behaviourist at the Dogs Trust
  • Junior New Product Developer at Mars Pet Nutrition Europe
  • Animal Welfare Advisor to the New Zealand Government
  • Wildlife Conservation Project Officer

Enterprising students

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Careers support

Our Enterprise Challenge gives students the opportunity to work with industry on a project that tackles real-world issues. Watch the above video to find out more.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2025 entry. 

A-Level
International Baccalaureate

Other UK and the Republic of Ireland qualifications

Contextual Offers

Through one of our contextual routes, you could receive an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirements.

What is a contextual offer? Find out more and if you’re eligible for this or our PARTNERS Programme supported entry route.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Entrance courses (INTO)

International Pathway Courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO. 

Find out more about International Pathway Courses

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

The 2025 home fees have not yet been confirmed.

Qualification: BSc Honours

Home students

full time 3 years

Tuition fees (per year)

Not set

International students

full time 3 years

Tuition fees (per year)

30600

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Scholarships

Find out more about:

Open days and events

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

  • the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
  • the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
  • the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

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International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages

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