Program Overview

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BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour with Foundation Year

Why study this course with LJMU?

Study the behaviour of wild and captive animals, with opportunities for overseas fieldwork Regular field trips and visits to observe the behaviour of animals, including residential fieldwork at Level 4 to Millport, Isle of Cumbrae in Scotland Optional residential fieldwork (partially self-funded) at level 5 (possible destination Cairngorms National Park, Scotland) and level 6 (possible destination Coto Doñana, Spain) Taught by animal behaviour experts at the forefront of modern research Opportunities for work-related learning, study abroad and/or a year-long sandwich placement Specialist lectures from visiting animal behaviour experts 100% of students surveyed said teaching staff on this course were good at explaining things (NSS 2024) International Foundation Year course available offering direct progression onto this degree programme

About your course

Studying BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour at Liverpool John Moores University will give you an opportunity to learn from experts in animal behaviour and complete work-related learning with a variety of animal-related organisations, such as zoos, wildlife parks, conservation NGOs and rescue centres. The degree develops your understanding of the science of animal behaviour in relation to evolution, ecology, physiology, neurobiology and genetics, preparing students for a career in science, animal welfare, animal behaviour research or conservation.

Foundation Year

The Foundation Year is ideal if you have the interest and ability to study for a degree, but do not have the qualifications to enter directly onto the Animal Behaviour honours degree programme yet.

Once you pass the Foundation Year you will progress directly onto the first year of the honours degree. If you are a full-time UK student, you will qualify for student financial support for the full duration of your course (subject to eligibility criteria).

About BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour

Modules cover animal behaviour in a range of environments from natural behaviour in the tropics and temperate habitats; terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems; through to the behaviour and welfare of domestic and captive animals.

Regular field work underpins the development of theoretical knowledge, giving students the practical skills to engage in the study of animal behaviour. An important part of the programme is the training in scientific observational methods. Students will have opportunities to try out their techniques on wild animals in the UK, including in our on-campus wildlife gardens, and abroad, as well as on captive animals in the world famous Chester Zoo, Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Blue Planet Aquarium and Knowsley Safari Park, which are all close by, along with a range of natural habitats and protected areas.

There is a core residential field trip in Level 4 and an optional residential field trip during Level 5. Students can also take part in an advanced field skills expedition during Level 6 the possible destination is the superb Doñana area in southern Spain to observe first-hand how animals behave in their natural habitats. You can also choose to study at a different university for one semester in our Study Abroad Programme.

On top of your academic studies, you will have the opportunity to undertake a short (4-6 week) work-based placement and/or a year's sandwich placement in the UK or abroad. Placements give you a chance to put your skills and knowledge into practice, as well as developing personal and subject-related skills and acquiring new skills to enhance your CV. They could even lead to employment with the same organisation or through the contacts you make.

The first year of the course is very similar to LJMU's Zoology programme and as these are sister degrees you can transfer between programmes if you complete Level 4 successfully.

Course modules

What you will study on this degree

This course is currently undergoing its scheduled programme review, which may impact the advertised modules. Programme review is a standard part of the University’s approach to quality assurance and enhancement, enabling us to ensure that our courses remain up to date and maintain their high standard and relevancy.

Once the review is completed, this course website page will be updated to reflect any approved changes to the advertised course. These approved changes will also be communicated to those who apply for the course to ensure they wish to proceed with their application.

Foundation Year

• Skills and Perspectives in Science 1 (20 credits)
• Wildlife Studies (20 credits)
• Skills and Perspectives in Science 2 (20 credits)
• Anatomy and Physiology (20 credits)
• Understanding the Environment (20 credits)
• Building Blocks of Life (20 credits)

Year 1

• Fundamentals of Scientific Research (20 credits)
• Practical Skills for Animal Behaviour (20 credits)
• Genetics and Evolution (20 credits)
• Animal Behaviour (20 credits)
• Ecology (20 credits)
• Animal Physiology (20 credits)

Year 2

• Research Skills and Employability (20 credits)
• Behavioural Ecology (20 credits)
• Brain, Hormones and Behaviour (20 credits)
• Animal Communication (20 credits)
• Animal Monitoring (20 credits)
• Animal Field Skills (20 credits)
• Animals in Motion (20 credits)
• Sandwich Year - Animal Behaviour (120 credits)
• Companion Animal Behaviour (20 credits)
• Study Year Abroad - Animal Behaviour (120 credits)
• Study Semester Abroad - Animal Behaviour (60 credits)

Year 3

• Research Project (40 credits)
• Current Topics in Animal Behaviour (20 credits)
• Advanced Field Skills Expedition (20 credits)
• Animal Learning and Cognition (20 credits)
• Zoo Conservation and Genebanks (20 credits)
• Neurobiology (20 credits)
• Animal Welfare (20 credits)
• Applied Animal Behaviour (20 credits)
• Current Topics in Primatology (20 credits)
• Animal Social Systems (20 credits)
• Work-Based Learning (20 credits)

Professional accreditation

Professional organisations such as the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB) offer membership.

Your Learning Experience

Teaching Support Assessment

Excellent facilities and learning resources

We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.

Teaching is via a combination of lectures, fieldwork, laboratory work, workshops, tutorials, and online with emphasis on either a research project and/or work-related learning in the third year. This independent study is an important aspect of the course as it gives you a chance to put into practice skills and knowledge gained in Levels 4 and 5.

Work-related Learning

This course provides plenty of opportunities for first-hand experience of working in the animal behaviour field via an optional year-long sandwich placement between Levels 5 and 6, and/or a short 4-6 week work-related learning placement in Level 6.

A placement tutor will help you find the right placement, either in the UK or overseas, and once you start, you will have regular support from a supervisor who will visit you in your workplace.

Placements give you a chance to put your skills and knowledge into practice, as well as developing personal and subject-related skills and acquiring new skills to enhance your CV. They could even lead to employment with the same organisation or through the contacts you make. The decision to undertake a placement is made early in your second year; alternatively you can choose to complete the course in three years.

Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support

There will be times during your course when you need guidance and advice related to your academic studies or more personal matters. For this reason, you will be guided through the programme by a personal tutor with whom you can discuss course material informally as part of a small tutorial group or have one-to-one progress review meetings. You will also be allocated a supervisor for your project or work-related learning, and your year-long placement if you choose the sandwich option.

The school is fully committed to promoting a learning environment that supports a culture of equality, diversity and inclusivity (EDI) and has a Disability Support Coordinator, an EDI Coordinator and a School EDI Working Group. Personal Tutors also play a vital role in promoting awareness of support services for students.

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.

End of year exams may include a range of question types such as multiple choice, short answer, interpretative, problem-based learning and essay, whereas coursework assessments are made up of phase tests, fieldwork/practical reports, data handling, oral presentations, poster presentations, group discussions, essays or the evaluation of practical skills. While most of your assessments will be based on individual work you will also complete some group work.

Feedback on coursework assessments is normally provided within three weeks of submission and may be via Canvas (our virtual learning environment), face-to-face or in writing. We believe that constructive feedback is vital in helping you identify your strengths as well as the areas where you may need to put in more work.

87%say staff value students views and opinions about the course

Data for courses in Zoology at Liverpool John Moores University

92%of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for courses in Zoology at Liverpool John Moores University

90%in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

Data for courses in Zoology at Liverpool John Moores University

Where you will study

You will study at the Byrom Street site in the university's City Campus in the heart of Liverpool. You will have access to first class teaching facilities, laboratories and study areas. The Avril Robarts library is within easy walking distance and here you'll find all the information you need to support your studies.

Career paths

You will enjoy varied career opportunities both in the UK and overseas

You might, on the other hand, prefer to practise as a professional animal behaviourist after some further postgraduate study and clinical training.

Recent LJMU graduates have secured full-time employment in roles such as Research Officers, Animal Colony Managers and Animal Welfare Coordinators. Organisations that have hired our graduates include: Combe Martin Wildlife Park, Chester Zoo, Dolphin Quest, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Genus, Newquay Zoo, North Clwyd Animal Rescue, RSPCA and Reaseheath College.

Other graduates have opted for postgraduate study (teacher training, MSc, MPhil or PhD), pursuing a career in science and academia or other competitive undergraduate courses (such as medicine, veterinary science or midwifery). Some have also set up their own businesses (including a pet behaviour consultancy) or have taken non-animal related graduate employment.

Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service

A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.

Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website.

Tuition fees and funding

Home

• Full-time per year: £9,250
• Placement year: £1,850

International

• Full-time per year: £18,250
• Placement year: £3,830

Entry requirements

Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements

• Grades/points required from qualifications: 72-80 / DDD - CDD

Work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth by visiting the UCAS Tariff Calculator.

GCSEs and equivalents

Prior to starting the programme applicants must have obtained Grade C or Grade 4 or above in English Language and Mathematics GCSE or an approved alternative qualification below:

• Key Skills Level 2 in English/ Maths
• NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
• Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
• Higher Diploma in Maths/ English
• Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths/ English
• Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
• Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number

A levels

• Minimum number of A Levels required: 1
• Subject specific requirements: 1 Level 3 qualification and GCSE Grade 4 or above in Maths and Science
• Is general studies acceptable? Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
• Average A Level offer: CDD
• Are AS level awards acceptable? Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
• Maximum AS Level points accepted:20

BTECs

• National Certificate (RQF): Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
• National Extended Certificate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
• National Diploma (RQF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• National Diploma subjects / grades required: DM in a relevant discipline if studied on its own or to the total of 80 UCAS points when combined with other qualifications
• National Extended Diploma (RQF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• National Extended Diploma subjects / grades required: MMP in a relevant discipline if studied on its own or to the total of 80 UCAS points when combined with other qualifications

Access awards

• Access to Higher Education Diploma acceptability: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• Further information: Overall Pass required.

International Baccalaureate

• International Baccalaureate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• Additional information: 24 IB Diploma Points

Irish awards

• Irish Leaving Certificate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• Grades / subjects required: 80 UCAS points from a minimum of 5 subjects

Welsh awards

• Welsh Baccalaureate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications

Alternative qualifications considered

Please contact the University if you have any questions regarding the relevance of your qualifications.

Additional requirements

• Interview required****Will I be interviewed?

No interview required (UCAS application form only)

Further information

• DBS, Occupational Health requirements****Can this course be deferred?

Yes

Is a DBS check required?

No

• Reduced offer scheme

As part of LJMU’s commitment to widening access we offer eligible students entry to their chosen course at a reduced threshold of up to 16/8 UCAS points. This applies if you are a student who has been in local authority care or if you have participated in one of LJMU’s sustained outreach initiatives, e.g. Summer University. Please contact the admission office for further details.

International requirements

• IELTS

6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent English language proficiency test.

Further information

• DBS, Occupational Health requirements****Can this course be deferred?

Yes

Is a DBS check required?

No

• Find your country

Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.