Animal Behaviour (with integrated foundation year)

Aberystwyth University

Animal behaviourists apply their scientific skills to understand how and why animals behave in the ways that they do, in order to improve animal welfare, enhance conservation, and further our knowledge of the natural world. On the BSc Animal Behaviour with Integrated Foundation Year degree at Aberystwyth University, you will develop a solid foundation of transferable scientific skills. Equipped with these skills, you will investigate the mechanisms, development, function and evolution of animal behaviour in a range of pure and applied contexts. You will develop advanced skills in animal behaviour research, and ultimately conduct your own independent behaviour research project. You will also complete tutor-supported work experience relevant to animal behaviour in your third year, which will considerably enhance your employment prospects. You’ll do all this within the wild and beautiful setting of West Wales, which is home to bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic grey seals, pine martens, otters, ospreys and red kites. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to intensively investigate animal behaviour on residential field courses further afield.

This four-year course includes an integrated foundation year, after which the syllabus follows that of the standard three-year course, BSc Animal Behaviour (C120).

The course:
- provides a solid foundation of skills and knowledge in the biosciences which will be invaluable to you within and beyond the field of animal behaviour


- includes lots of specialist animal behaviour content taught by staff who conduct scientific research into animal behaviour


- includes an optional residential field course dedicated to the investigation of animal behaviour through small group project work


- places behaviour in context with modules addressing health and welfare taught by practising veterinarians, and optional modules developing knowledge and skills in conservation


- includes an extended period of work experience relevant to animal behaviour, with lots of tutor support to help you find a placement and succeed in it


- includes a substantial, independent research project in your final year, during which you will benefit from one-to-one academic supervision


- is highly suited to students wishing to improve their employability within fields such as animal conservation, animal care and welfare, or animal behaviour research, but also develops skills desirable in a broad range of other graduate professions.

Department of Life Sciences