Animal Behaviour and Welfare

Animal behaviour and welfare is a field that examines how animals think, feel, communicate, and interact with each other and with their environments, and how human societies can better protect and care for the animals in their care. It draws on ethology, biological science, psychology, and ecology to understand animal minds and behaviours, and it applies that understanding to the improvement of welfare standards in farming, companion animal care, zoos, and conservation settings. The growing public and scientific interest in animal sentience and welfare makes this a field of increasing importance.

At Hartpury University, this three-year, full-time programme gives you first-hand experience of fieldwork and research through trips and interactions with industry professionals, developing both your scientific understanding of animal behaviour and the practical skills to assess and improve welfare in real-world settings. A sandwich year and work placements are integrated into the programme, allowing you to spend time working with animals in professional contexts before you graduate. The programme prepares you for a range of careers in the animal sector, whether as a welfare officer, trainer, researcher, or consultant.

Hartpury's location and its strong connections to equine, agricultural, and zoo animal sectors give the programme a particularly strong applied dimension. Graduates go on to careers in animal welfare organisations, zoos and wildlife parks, farm assurance and inspection, companion animal training and behaviour consultancy, animal sanctuaries, research, and conservation. Some pursue postgraduate study in animal behaviour, animal welfare science, or veterinary science, building on the scientific foundation the undergraduate degree provides.

Others move into policy roles with animal welfare organisations, government agencies, or the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and similar bodies.