Program Overview

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Key Facts

UCAS Tariff

Course duration

4 years

Available for September start 2025

Further details on entry requirements

Course Overview

This four-year course includes an integrated foundation year, after which the syllabus follows that of the standard three-year course, BSc Veterinary Biosciences (D906).

Why study Veterinary Biosciences at Aberystwyth University?

• You will be taught and mentored by veterinary surgeons and world-class veterinary scientists.
• Our collaboration with the Wales Veterinary Science Centre and other organisations allows you to understand the wider veterinary field.
• The University has over 100ha of farmland, including lowland and upland sheep farms, a 500 cow dairy herd, intensive and extensive beef production systems, and an equine centre.
• All students have access to our fantastic modern laboratories, dissection rooms and microscopy suites on campus.
• This degree is very much 'hands on' with practicals involving molecular, cellular, anatomical and behavioural aspects of veterinary health.
• Learn and live in an exceptional environment where you will have marine, moorland, mountain, grassland and coast right on your doorstep.

International Opportunities

If you’re feeling adventurous, why not take the chance to study abroad during your degree? We have exchange agreements with universities in Europe, USA, Canada, and elsewhere, so you can apply to spend all or part of your 3rd year studying veterinary biosciences overseas. You’ll miss Aberystwyth, but you’ll love the new perspectives that international study can bring.

Want to study in Welsh?

Students can elect to study a number of modules in the medium of Welsh. Check out the module tab for more information.

Modules September start - 2025

Year 1

• Communication Skills | BR01520 | 20
• Molecules and Cells | BR01340 | 40
• Organisms and the Environment | BR01440 | 40
• Practical Skills for Biologists | BR01220 | 20

Year 2

• Cell Biology * | BR17520 | 20
• Disease Diagnosis and Control | BR15420 | 20
• Domestic Animal Anatomy and Physiology | BR16920 | 20
• Genetics, Evolution and Diversity | BR17120 | 20
• Skills for Animal, Equine and Veterinary Bioscientists in Equine Exercise Physiology * | BR17220 | 20

Options

• Introduction to Livestock Production and Science | BR17020 | 20
• Microbial and Plant Diversity * | BR19920 | 20

Year 3

• Animal Breeding: Genetics and Reproduction | BR25220 | 20
• Immunology | BR22220 | 20
• Research Methods * | BR27520 | 20
• Veterinary Health | BR27120 | 20

Options

• Applied Nutrition of Livestock, Horses and Companion Animals * | BR20720 | 20
• Human, Equine and Canine Exercise Physiology and Locomotion | BR25320 | 20
• Livestock Production and Management * | BR28020 | 20
• One Health Microbiology | BR26520 | 20
• Practical and Professional Skills in Microbiology | BR24720 | 20
• Vertebrate Zoology | BR26820 | 20

Year 4

• Behaviour and Welfare of Domesticated Animals | BR35120 | 20
• Research Project * | BR36440 | 40
• Veterinary Infectious Diseases | BR34120 | 20
• Veterinary Pharmacology and Disease Control | BR36820 | 20

Options

• Behavioural Neurobiology | BR35320 | 20
• Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics | BR37120 | 20
• Equine Nutrition and Pasture Management | BR35720 | 20
• International Animal Health Study Tour | BR39220 | 20
• Livestock Production Science | BR30820 | 20

• Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Careers

Employability is embedded across all of our teaching at Aberystwyth University.

In a growing market where graduates with skills and specialist knowledge in the Veterinary Biosciences area, our graduates seek employment in the following:

• veterinary research
• charity advocacy (e.g. RSCPA)
• research in the pharmaceutical and agricultural industry
• teaching
• civil service.

Many students have processed to further training in:

• veterinary medicine training
• postgraduate research (PhD, MRes, PGCE).

Teaching & Learning

What will I learn?

The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the four-year degree scheme.

In the first year

you will study foundation modules which will develop your knowledge of biology and prepare you for the study of veterinary biosciences during the next three years of your degree.

In the second year

you will explore:

• comparative anatomy and physiology of domestic animals
• how to prepare essays, reports and presentations
• molecular laboratory skills
• animal handling
• genetics and related diseases
• microbiology
• biochemistry of life
• diagnostic techniques in the veterinary practice and laboratory.

In the third year

you will discover:

• domestic animal nutrition including specialisation in livestock, equine or companion animal
• treatment and diseases of cat, dog and exotic pets
• reproductive physiology
• the immune system

You will also choose from a range of optional modules covering microbiology, anatomy, livestock production and other relevant subject areas.

In the final year

you will study:

• research dissertation
• animal behaviour and welfare
• veterinary pharmacology
• veterinary infectious diseases.

You will also choose from a range of optional modules covering behaviour, equine management and other relevant subject areas and will undertake a dissertation.

Among many skills, you will learn to synthesize information from scientific literature; understand and explain the implications of technological developments in animal science; scrutinise data in terms of quality and quantity; and respond to new data through laboratory investigation.

How will I be taught?

We teach our students through lectures, workshops, tutorials and practicals.

Assessment

We assess our students through:

• exams
• essays
• practical exercises
• oral presentations
• reports
• statistical exercises
• dossiers
• portfolios
• wikis
• reflective diaries
• literature reviews
• magazine articles.

Typical Entry Requirements

UCAS Tariff

A Levels

Available to candidates without formal qualifications who have suitable background education, experience and motivation

GCSE requirements

(minimum grade C/4):

• English or Welsh
• Mathematics
• Science (minimum grade C/4)

BTEC National Diploma:

Available to candidates without formal qualifications who have suitable background education, experience and motivation

International Baccalaureate:

Available to candidates without formal qualifications who have suitable background education, experience and motivation

European Baccalaureate:

Available to candidates without formal qualifications who have suitable background education, experience and motivation

English Language Requirements:

See our Undergraduate English Language Requirements for this course. Pre-sessional English Programmes are also available for students who do not meet our English Language Requirements.

Country Specific Entry Requirements:

International students whose qualification is not listed on this page, can check our Country Specific Entry Requirements for further information.

The University welcomes undergraduate applications from students studying the Access to Higher Education Diploma or T-level qualifications, provided that relevant subject content and learning outcomes are met. We are not able to accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas or T-levels as a general qualification for every undergraduate degree course.

Our inclusive admissions policy values breadth as well as depth of study. Applicants are selected on their own individual merits and offers can vary. If you would like to check the eligibility of your qualifications before submitting an application, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for advice and guidance.