Animal Science
Animal science is the systematic study of the animals that humans breed and manage, covering their biology, nutrition, behaviour, welfare, health, and genetics, and the ways in which these are shaped and applied in farming, conservation, veterinary contexts, and research. It is a discipline that connects fundamental biological knowledge with practical management questions, and it is relevant to some of the most significant challenges of our time, including food security, biodiversity, animal welfare, and the environmental impacts of livestock production.
At Anglia Ruskin University this part-time programme provides a flexible route into the subject for students who are combining study with work, caring responsibilities, or experience in related sectors. You will develop understanding of animal physiology, nutrition, genetics, behaviour, and welfare, engaging with the science that underpins best practice in animal management across a range of species and contexts. The part-time mode allows you to learn at a pace that fits your life, and the university also offers flexible entry points including a Certificate of Higher Education after the first year, giving you options to step in or out of the programme at different points.
Graduates of animal science pursue careers in farming and agriculture, animal welfare organisations, conservation, veterinary research, pet care, wildlife management, and the regulatory and policy bodies that govern animal-related industries. Roles in livestock production, feed and nutrition, animal health, laboratory research, and environmental management are all common destinations. The scientific grounding the degree provides is also relevant to further study in veterinary science, animal behaviour, conservation biology, or agricultural science for those who want to specialise in a particular direction.
The flexibility of the part-time route makes the programme accessible to students who are already working in relevant fields and want to formalise and deepen their knowledge.