BSc

Veterinary Biosciences (with integrated year in industry)

Veterinary Biosciences (with integrated year in industry) Code D907 Attend an Open Day Attend an Open Day

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Key Facts

D907

  • UCAS Tariff

    128 - 104

  • Course duration

    4 years

Available for September start 2025

Further details on entry requirements

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Veterinary Biosciences at Aberystwyth University is dedicated to the biology underpinning veterinary medicine. On this course, you will explore the biology of farm animals, horses, and companion animals. This degree programme will also provide a suitable pathway to a veterinary medicine course, with other exciting career options including veterinary laboratory diagnostician, nutritionist or as an animal health researcher.

This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.

Course Overview

Why study Veterinary Biosciences with integrated year in industry? 

  • The syllabus of Veterinary Biosciences with an integrated year in industry is identical to the standard three-year BSc (D906) 
  • Your year in industry will take place in your third year, is assessed and will count towards your degree. You may be able to undertake some or all of your industrial year working abroad.
  • You will be taught and mentored by veterinary surgeons and world-class veterinary scientists.
  • Our collaboration with the Wales Veterinary Science Centre and other organisations allows you to understand the wider veterinary field.
  • The University has over 800ha of farmland, including lowland and upland sheep farms, a 300 cow dairy herd, intensive and extensive beef production systems, and an equine centre.
  • All students have access to our fantastic modern laboratories, dissection rooms and microscopy suites on campus.
  • This degree is very much 'hands on' with practicals involving molecular, cellular, anatomical and behavioural aspects of veterinary health.
  • Learn and live in an exceptional environment where you will have marine, moorland, mountain, grassland and coast right on your doorstep.
Our Staff

The majority of teaching staff in the Department of Life Sciences are qualified to PhD level and are research active. Vocational courses also have staff whose background lies within industry. The Department has a large number of research only staff with whom students may have contact.

Modules September start - 2025

Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Integrated Year in Industry BRS0060 60

* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Careers

Employability is embedded across all of our teaching at Aberystwyth University.

In a growing market where graduates with skills and specialist knowledge in the Veterinary Biosciences area, our graduates seek employment in the following:

  • veterinary research
  • charity advocacy (e.g. RSCPA)
  • research in the pharmaceutical and agricultural industry
  • teaching
  • civil service.

Many students have processed to further training in:

  • veterinary Medicine training
  • postgraduate research (PhD, MRes, PGCE).

Completing a year in industry will allow you to:

  • Apply the learning from your course to the work environment;
  • Make industry contacts;
  • Develop practical skills related to your area of study;
  • Apply your practical skills and technical knowledge after returning to study;
  • Enhance your CV and better prepare yourself for a job after graduating.

Teaching & Learning

What will I learn?

The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the four-year degree scheme.

In the first year you will explore:

  • comparative anatomy and physiology of domestic animals
  • how to prepare essays, reports and presentations
  • molecular laboratory skills
  • animal handling
  • genetics and related diseases
  • microbiology
  • biochemistry of life
  • diagnostic techniques in the veterinary practice and laboratory.

In the second year you will discover:

  • domestic animal nutrition including specialisation in livestock, equine or companion animal
  • treatment and diseases of cat, dog and exotic pets
  • reproductive physiology
  • the immune system.

You will also choose from a range of optional modules covering microbiology, anatomy, livestock production and other relevant subject areas.

In your third year you will undertake your work experience in a field relevant to Veterinary Biosciences.

In the final year you will study:

  • research dissertation
  • animal behaviour and welfare
  • veterinary pharmacology
  • veterinary infectious diseases.

You will also choose from a range of optional modules covering behaviour, equine management and other relevant subject areas.

Among many skills, you will learn to synthesize information from scientific literature; understand and explain the implications of technological developments in animal science; scrutinise data in terms of quality and quantity; and respond to new data through laboratory investigation.

How will I be taught?

We teach our students through lectures, workshops, tutorials and practicals.

Assessment

We assess our students through:

  • exams
  • essays
  • practical exercises
  • oral presentations
  • reports
  • statistical exercises
  • dossiers
  • portfolios
  • wikis
  • reflective diaries
  • literature reviews
  • magazine articles.

Typical Entry Requirements

UCAS Tariff 128 - 104

A Levels ABB-BCC with B in Biology

GCSE requirements (minimum grade C/4):
English or Welsh, Science and Mathematics

BTEC National Diploma:
DDD-DDM in a specified subject

International Baccalaureate:
30-28 with 5 points in Biology at Higher Level

European Baccalaureate:
75%-65% overall with 7 in Biology

English Language Requirements:
See our Undergraduate English Language Requirements for this course. Pre-sessional English Programmes are also available for students who do not meet our English Language Requirements.

Country Specific Entry Requirements:
International students whose qualification is not listed on this page, can check our Country Specific Entry Requirements for further information.

The University welcomes undergraduate applications from students studying the Access to Higher Education Diploma or T-level qualifications, provided that relevant subject content and learning outcomes are met. We are not able to accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas or T-levels as a general qualification for every undergraduate degree course.
Our inclusive admissions policy values breadth as well as depth of study. Applicants are selected on their own individual merits and offers can vary. If you would like to check the eligibility of your qualifications before submitting an application, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for advice and guidance.

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