Animal Behaviour

Animal behaviour is the scientific study of how and why animals act the way they do, from the foraging strategies of insects to the complex social lives of primates. It draws on evolutionary biology, ecology, neuroscience, and psychology to ask questions about the adaptive significance of behaviour, the mechanisms that produce it, and the ways it varies across species, individuals, and environments. The field is relevant to conservation, animal welfare, veterinary practice, and the management of both wild and captive populations.

At the University of Chester, you will study animal behaviour over three years full-time, exploring the biology, care, conservation, and welfare of animals in wild and captive settings. The programme gives you a strong foundation in biological sciences alongside a scientific approach to understanding animal cognition and action, developing the observational, quantitative, and experimental skills that research in this field requires. You will engage with ethology, behavioural ecology, animal welfare science, and the conservation contexts in which an understanding of animal behaviour is essential for effective management.

The programme includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study at a partner institution in a different country and potentially to carry out fieldwork or study in a different ecological and cultural context. The typical entry tariff is 120 UCAS points.

Graduates of animal behaviour programmes go on to work in zoos, wildlife parks, conservation organisations, animal sanctuaries, research institutions, and veterinary practice support roles. Ecological consultancy, wildlife management, and education and outreach in conservation contexts are also common paths. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in animal behaviour, ecology, conservation biology, or zoology, building on the scientific foundation the undergraduate degree provides.