Bioveterinary Science BSc (Hons)

Program Overview

Bioveterinary Science BSc (Hons)

Overview

The University of Chester's Bioveterinary Science course takes a comprehensive approach to animal health. You will gain an understanding of disease and its impact on animals, including how we diagnose and treat disease. Hands-on laboratory experience will combine scientific theory with practical skills, providing you with expertise in techniques such as microscopy, microbiology, immunology, and molecular biology.

Why Study Bioveterinary Science at Chester?

Studying Bioveterinary Science encompasses a range of scientific disciplines that support the care of animals and the understanding of animal disease. At Chester, our strengths in biology, behaviour, and welfare mean you will explore animal health at the physiological, cellular, and behavioural level. You'll also learn from experienced staff, including qualified veterinarians, who are experts in their fields and actively engaged in research to improve animal health.

Course Structure

• Foundation Year: The Foundation Year is designed to give you a strong knowledge and skills base aligned with your chosen four-year degree. Following a solid grounding in scientific principles in your first term of teaching, you will study bespoke modules aligned with your discipline.
• Year 1 (Level 4): You will build a strong foundation in animal health, starting with an understanding of what is normal in healthy animals. This knowledge is essential for identifying and addressing disruptions to health caused by disease in the later years of the course.
• Year 2 (Level 5): You will build on the foundational knowledge you acquired in Year 1 and explore abnormalities in animal health; in addition, we will encourage you to adopt a more critical approach.
• Year 3 (Level 6): Subject-specific modules will help you to integrate and apply your knowledge, further advancing your expertise in Bioveterinary Science and preparing you for your future career.

Modules

Year 1

• Science of Life (40 Credits): In this module, you will learn the essential concepts and skills that form the backbone of a degree in biological sciences.
• Exploring and Researching Life Sciences (40 Credits): In this module, you will explore the fundamentals of scientific research, including how to develop research questions, work with relevant literature, understand basic statistical concepts, and communicate research findings.
• Animal Husbandry and Welfare (20 Credits): This module aims to help you develop an understanding of animal husbandry and the role it plays in maintaining good animal health, welfare, and production.
• Project Based Learning in Biosciences (20 Credits): This module aims to provide you with the opportunity to gain further practical skills and develop your own projects.

Year 2

• Biology of Disease (20 Credits): This module will teach you how pathology is underpinned by a series of biological mechanisms and concepts that can be applied to all diseases.
• Bioveterinary Diagnostics (20 Credits): This module allows you to study a wide variety of techniques and processes used to assess health and disease in animals.
• Microbiology (20 Credits): This module will allow you to consider the importance of microbiology in the world today.
• Behaviour and Welfare (20 Credits): This module provides an overview of key topics in animal behaviour and welfare, including foundational concepts, methods of assessment, and relevant policies.

Year 3

• Veterinary Disease, Epidemiology and One Health (40 Credits): This module aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the process of investigating infectious and non-infectious disease at an individual and a group level.
• Veterinary Pharmacology (20 Credits): This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the major therapeutic interventions used in animal health to prevent and control diseases.
• Animal Welfare Considerations in Clinical Practice (20 Credits): This module aims to integrate your understanding of animal welfare and Bioveterinary Science into applied clinical practice.
• Natural Sciences Dissertation (40 Credits): In this module, you will engage in the research of a selected topic relevant to your course.

Entry Requirements

• Home Students: UCAS Points: 112 points. GCE A Level: Typical offer – BCC-BBC, including a grade C in one of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, or Applied Science.
• International Students: Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study.
• Foundation Year: If you are a mature student (21 or over) and have been out of education for a while or do not have experience or qualifications at Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels), then our Foundation Year courses will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to succeed in your chosen degree.

Fees and Finance

• Home Students: £9,535 per year for a full-time course (2025/26).
• International Students: £14,450 per year for a full-time course (2025/26).

Careers and Employability

Our BSc Bioveterinary degree will prepare you for careers in veterinary diagnostic laboratories and supporting the animal health industry. Our graduates have pursued further education, including Master’s and PhDs, as well as training to be veterinary nurses or veterinary surgeons.

Related Courses

• Animal Behaviour BSc (Hons)
• Animal Welfare Science BSc (Hons)
• Zoology BSc (Hons)