Program Overview

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Introduction to the Animal Biology (with foundation year) BSc (Hons) Program ## Introduction to the Animal Biology (with foundation year) BSc (Hons) Program ## Introduction to the Animal Biology (with foundation year) BSc (Hons) Program ## Introduction to the Animal Biology (with foundation year) BSc (Hons) Program

The Animal Biology (with foundation year) BSc (Hons) program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of animal biology, preparing them for a wide range of careers in the field. This program is an integrated foundation degree, where students progress onto the BSc (Hons) Animal Biology course after successfully completing their foundation year.

Program Details

• UCAS code: C30X
• Level of study: Undergraduate
• Typical offer: 56 - 64 UCAS tariff points
• Start date: September 2026
• Duration: Four years full-time or five years with placement
• Attendance: Full-time, Placement year
• Course delivery: On-campus (Brackenhurst)

About this Course

This course is an integrated foundation degree, where you'll progress onto our BSc (Hons) Animal Biology course, once you successfully complete your foundation year. Our integrated foundation degrees offer a unique gateway to our BSc courses for those who currently don't meet the degree-level entry criteria. The foundation year acts as a launch pad, supporting you with the transition to university learning.

About the BSc Course

Explore the fascinating animal kingdom and the scientific principles that underpin this important and wide-ranging subject area. The course will give you a sound knowledge and understanding of animal biology. Your lectures will cover major scientific principles, including anatomy and physiology, behaviour, genetics, ecology, and nutrition. The course focuses on the study of companion and livestock species. Core scientific study is supported by practical animal handling in our specialist unit.

Which Course is Right for You?

We offer three animal science degrees, each with a different focus:

• BSc (Hons) Animal Biology / BSc (Hons) Animal Biology (with foundation year) (this course) - focuses on managed domestic species such as companion, working and farm animals.
• BSc (Hons) Zoo Biology / BSc (Hons) Zoo Biology (with foundation year) - focuses on captive housed zoo animals and exotic species.
• BSc (Hons) Zoology / BSc (Hons) Zoology (with foundation year) - covers a diverse range of invertebrate and vertebrate species in relation to their biology, evolution, taxonomy and identification.

Brackenhurst - an Inspirational Campus

The Brackenhurst campus gives you access to our Animal Unit with over 250 animals from 70 different species. You'll also benefit from our working farm, including a flock of sheep, a herd of Lincoln Red cattle, and a specialist cattle roundhouse.

Student Experience

• 96% of BSc (Hons) Animal Biology (full-time) students are positive about the academic support on their course (National Student Survey 2025).
• 4th in the UK for Animal Science and Agriculture courses (Guardian University Guide 2026).
• 100% of our BSc (Hons) Animal Biology graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their degrees (of those available for work or study, latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022/23).

What You'll Study

Your lectures will cover major scientific principles, including:

• anatomy and physiology
• behaviour
• genetics
• ecology
• nutrition. You'll apply these principles in a range of contexts and focus on the key aspects of animal welfare, breeding and management. The course focuses on the study of companion and livestock species, and their housing, management and nutrition.

Module Information

Here's a breakdown of what you'll be studying throughout the course:

• Year One: Foundation year, studying five modules, including Foundation Biology, Laboratory Skills, Science in Practice, Field Skills, and Preparing for Success.
• Year Two onwards: Studying the modules of the degree course, including Animal Physiology, Animal Husbandry, Animal Behaviour, Nutrition Principles, and Animal Reproduction and Genetics.

Entry Requirements

UK students

• Standard offer: 64 UCAS Tariff points from three qualifications.
• Contextual offer: 56 UCAS Tariff points from three qualifications.
• Other requirements: GCSE English, Maths and Science grade C / 4.

International students

• Academic entry requirements: 64 UCAS Tariff points from three qualifications.
• Other requirements: GCSE English, Maths and Science grade C / 4.
• English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.

Fees and Funding

UK students

• £9,790 per year
• If you choose to do a placement year, you'll pay a reduced fee for that year of £1,905.

International students

• £17,950 per year
• If you choose to do a placement year, you'll pay a reduced fee for that year of £1,905

Careers and Employability

Your future career

Developed in conjunction with representatives from industry, the course is designed to maximise your potential in a broad range of animal-related careers. 100% of our BSc (Hons) Animal Biology graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their degrees (of those available for work or study, latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022/23). Your potential areas for employment include:

• welfare organisations
• feed companies
• governmental department
• non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Campus and Facilities

As a dedicated home for our animal, rural and environmental science courses, the Brackenhurst Campus has a character all of its own. From the population of almost 2,000 students and staff to the animals themselves — cats and cattle, sheep and horses — it's all about community. During this course, your theoretical studies will be complemented by the use of our specialist Animal Unit. Housing over 250 animals and more than 70 species, you'll get the opportunity to study a diverse range of companion animals, reptiles, birds, fish and other small animals, as well as larger animals including donkeys, horses and goats.

Research

You'll find a variety of equipment available at the Animal Unit to support your research project:

• A thermal camera
• Digital camcorders with specialist software
• Time lapse camera
• Mammal traps
• Digital video recording facilities in some animal rooms

Volunteering

Why not broaden your horizons and give something back by taking part in our Animal Unit's successful volunteer programme? The animal unit volunteer programme is an extra-curricular opportunity open to all students at Nottingham Trent University. You'll get the chance to work closely with our qualified and skilled team of technicians on a variety of tasks such as maintenance, health checks, medical administration and behaviour management such as enrichment and training.

Applying

UK students

Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.

International students

You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.