BSc

Veterinary Biosciences

Veterinary Biosciences Code D906 Attend an Open Day Attend an Open Day

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Key Facts

D906

  • UCAS Tariff

    128 - 104

  • Course duration

    3 years

Further details on entry requirements

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Veterinary Biosciences at Aberystwyth University is dedicated to the biology underpinning veterinary medicine. 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 animal health researcher.

This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.

Course Overview

Why study Veterinary Biosciences at Aberystwyth University?

  • 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 100ha of farmland, including lowland and upland sheep farms, a 500 cow dairy herd, intensive and extensive beef production systems, 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.

International Opportunities

If you’re feeling adventurous, why not take the chance to study abroad during your degree? We have exchange agreements with universities in Europe, USA, Canada, and elsewhere, so you can apply to spend all or part of your 2nd year studying veterinary biosciences overseas. You’ll miss Aberystwyth, but you’ll love the new perspectives that international study can bring!

Want to study in Welsh?

Students can elect to study a number of IBERS modules in the medium of Welsh. Check out the module tab for more information!

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 - 2024

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
Animal Breeding: Genetics and Reproduction BR25220 20
Immunology BR22220 20
Research Methods * BR27520 20
Veterinary Health BR27120 20

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Applied Nutrition of Livestock, Horses and Companion Animals * BR20720 20
Human, Equine and Canine Exercise Physiology and Locomotion BR25320 20
Livestock Production Systems * BR20420 20
One Health Microbiology BR26520 20
Practical and Professional Skills in Microbiology * BR24720 20
Vertebrate Zoology BR26820 20

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Behaviour and Welfare of Domesticated Animals BR35120 20
Research Project * BR36440 40
Veterinary Infectious Diseases BR34120 20
Veterinary Pharmacology and Disease Control BR36820 20

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Behavioural Neurobiology BR35320 20
Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics BR37120 20
Equine Nutrition and Pasture Management BR35720 20
Livestock Production Science * BR30820 20

* 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).

What work opportunities could I participate in whilst studying?

Our Year in Employment Scheme (YES) has permitted our students to obtain exciting and rewarding placements with number of employers including Queenholme Equestrian and Chester Zoo. 

Click here to find out about the various opportunities that our Aberystwyth University Careers team offer.

Enhance your employability prospects with GO Wales and YES (Year in Employment Scheme) managed by our Careers department. 

Teaching & Learning

What will I learn?

The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the three 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 the third 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 and will undertake a compulsory dissertation.

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.

You will be assigned a personal tutor throughout your degree course, who will help you with any problems or queries.

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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