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Wrexham University

UCAS Code: D300 | Foundation Degree in Science - FdSc

Entry requirements

A level

E,E,E-D,D,D

Accepted alongside A-Levels as part of overall 48-72 UCAS Tariff requirement.

48-72 UCAS Tariff points

48-72 UCAS Tariff points

Accepted as part of overall 48-72 UCAS Tariff requirement.

48-72 UCAS Tariff points from International Baccalaureate Certificates

48-72 UCAS Tariff points

Accepted alongside Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Level as part of overall 48-72 UCAS Tariff requirement.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

MP-MM

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

PPP-MPP

48-72 UCAS Tariff points

48-72 UCAS Tariff points

UCAS Tariff

48-72

Our general entry requirement for a foundation degree is 48-72 UCAS tariff points but all applications are considered individually and we consider work experience, vocational training/qualifications as well as motivation and potential to succeed. The programme welcomes applications from anyone who can demonstrate a commitment to the subject and the potential to complete their chosen programme successfully. This can be established by showing appropriate academic achievements or by demonstrating that they possess the knowledge and ability equivalent to the academic qualifications.

Accepted as part of overall 48-72 UCAS Tariff point requirement.

About this course

Course option

2years

Full-time | 2026

Subject

Animal science

Why Choose This Course?
If you’re passionate about animals there’s never been a better time to prepare for your dream career with this course which covers animal behaviour, ethics and welfare.

You will:
Study zoological science, animal husbandry, animal learning and training, and survey skills for conservation
Take part in work placements to develop practical skills and demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have gained
Have access to a veterinary clinical suite, bespoke training area and Cruft’s standard agility course
Enjoy off-site visits to animal charities, wildlife centres and other industry-related venues

Key Course Features:
Study at Northop campus which boasts 90 acres of natural meadows, woodland, ponds, streams and a diverse range of animal and plant species including orchids, badgers, birds of prey and Great Crested Newts
Develop high-level knowledge of animal behaviour welfare and conservation husbandry and training
Urban and rural study environments - split your study time between the Northop campus set in stunning North Wales countryside and our Wrexham campus, on the edge of the largest town in North East Wales
Excellent links with industry and opportunities to secure work placements which will enhance your career prospects.
Gain experience in a range of practical situations from zoo work and conducting ecological surveys to training assistance dogs
Industry-active staff with specialist academic and practical skills, and experience of working with a range of domestic and wild animals
Top up to a full BSc (Hons) degree in Animal Behaviour, Welfare and Conservation once you’ve completed the foundation degree (further one year of study needed)

Modules

YEAR 1 (Level 4) In this year, you will be introduced to key concepts in animal behaviour, welfare, and conservation which will form the foundation for your entire course. You will gain knowledge and practical experience in animal husbandry. Additionally, you will participate in a work experience placement to become familiar with the animal sector and acquire the practical skills necessary for your chosen career. MODULES Professional and Academic Development: This module aims to equip you with a range of skills and attributes in preparation to work in their chosen sector whilst following professional codes of practice. The module will also develop a range of skills required for academic studies, which will be used and extended upon throughout the programme. Professional Practice 1: This module will enable you to apply and integrate professional skills, knowledge and behaviours gained from the programme into a real-life workplace setting. Introduction to Ecology: This module aims to introduce you to the relationship between organisms and the environment around them. Key ecological definitions will be explained, and students will understand the variety of complex biotic and abiotic interactions that influence the abundance and distribution of organisms. Contemporary Animal Management: This module aims to equip you with knowledge of the underlying concepts and principles of animal management and contemporary ethical practice. Ethics and Welfare: This module delves into current themes and challenges in animal welfare, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of various ethical considerations. Human-Animal Interaction: This module introduces you to the many facets of Human-Animal Interaction and the wide ranging roles of animals in society across time and cultures. YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5) In this year you will build upon knowledge gained in your first year and develop your understanding of a variety of topics in more detail. You will learn about anatomy and physiology, survey skills for conservation, learning and training. Practice 2: This module will enable you to build upon the professional skills, knowledge and behaviours gained from the programme and previous professional practice module at level 4. Health and Disease: This module continues to extend and develop our students’ knowledge and understanding of animal health and disease from their anatomy and physiology module. The disease process will be examined and the physiological status which affects the normal parameters. Animal Anatomy and Physiology: This module will develop the your knowledge and understanding of animal anatomy and physiology at both a systems and cellular level. This module will cover a range of animal species. Climate Change and Conservation: This module aims to introduce you to natural and anthropogenic changes in the climate and the science of current climate change. You will be able to identify how climate change will affect biomes, habitats and species worldwide and learn how global efforts to combat climate change are being implemented. Learning and Training: This module will equip you with the underpinning knowledge of learning theory and its use effects and application to practical training. This can be utilised to develop and implement training and handling techniques in the workplace which are effective and ethically sound.Survey Skills for Conservation: This module aims to develop your identification skills through engaging with practical ecological surveys in the field and online database searches. The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Assessment methods

Teaching & Assessment

The course comprises a range of modules that are assessed by theoretical and in some cases practical coursework. Types of assessment include, portfolios, posters, laboratory reports, essays, presentations, seminars, practical exams, written exams and reflective diaries.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

This programme includes a variety of learning and teaching methods in the class, practical settings and sessions delivered within the workplace. These include:

- Lectures and demonstrations
- Seminars and workshops
- Tutorials
- Group and project work
- Reflective reports
- External speakers
- Educational visits and study days
- Tutor and students led sessions
- Critical appraisal
- Portfolio development
- Work placements

Wrexham University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available.

In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion Services can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

England
£9,535
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,535
per year
Republic of Ireland
£9,535
per year
Scotland
£9,535
per year
Wales
£9,535
per year

The Uni

Course location:

Northop

Department:

School of Social and Life Sciences

Read full university profile

What students say

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Animal science

Sorry, no information to show

This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.


Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

100%
UK students
0%
International students
20%
Male students
80%
Female students
21%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

D
C
E

After graduation

The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Animal science

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

50%
low
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

31%
Sales assistants and retail cashiers
19%
Animal care and control services
15%
Other elementary services occupations

These stats refer to the prospects for graduates from both general animal studies courses and those for particular animals (such as equine science). Graduates don't generally get jobs as vets when they graduate; much the most common jobs tend to be roles caring for animals, such as veterinary nurses. Some of these jobs are not currently classified as professional level occupations, but in reality, you need a degree to get these jobs (and probably always have done), and graduates in them report that they got the jobs that they wanted. So the stats you see might not completely represent just how useful these degrees are for getting into animal care careers.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Animal science

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£16k

£16k

£20k

£20k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

This is what the university has told Ucas about the criteria they expect applicants to satisfy; some may be compulsory, others may be preferable.

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This is the percentage of applicants to this course who received an offer last year, through Ucas.

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This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

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Course location and department:

This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

We've received this information from the Department for Education, via Ucas. This is how the university as a whole has been rated for its quality of teaching: gold silver or bronze. Note, not all universities have taken part in the TEF.

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

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