BSc Animal Behaviour (with integrated year in industry)

Why study

Animal Behaviour at Aberystwyth University? Our course: combines the study of behaviour in wild and domesticated species, scientific animal behaviour research, and practical animal behaviour skills. provides a solid foundation of skills and knowledge in the biosciences which will be invaluable to you within and beyond the field of animal behaviour. is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology in recognition of its quality. includes lots of specialist animal behaviour content taught by staff who conduct scientific research into animal behaviour. places behaviour in context with modules addressing health and welfare taught by veterinary surgeons and nurses. includes an exciting international or national residential field course dedicated to the investigation of animal behaviour through small group project work (optional). includes a substantial, independent animal behaviour-related research project in your final year, during which you will benefit from one-to-one academic supervision. is highly suited to students wishing to improve their employability within fields such as animal care, health and welfare, animal conservation, or animal behaviour research, but also develops skills desirable in a broad range of other graduate professions. Opportunities!

Our students benefit from international exchange agreements with universities in Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia, so you can apply to spend all or part of your second year studying animal behaviour overseas You can choose to study a number of our modules through the medium of Welsh. Check out the modules tab for more information. Aberystwyth has excellent facilities for animal behaviourists, including: access to a range of small and large domestic animals for animal behaviour research purposes via our university farms, riding school, and Veterinary Education Centre. access to an extensive woodland neighbouring our campus with purpose-built nest boxes supporting the study of birds and other wildlife. a modern aquarium housing cold-water and tropical, and marine and freshwater species. wild and beautiful habitats on our doorstep, including marine, moorland, mountain, grassland and coastal environments, providing a huge variety of fieldwork and recreational opportunities. opportunities to view common and rare UK animal species such as bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic grey seals, pine martens, otters, ospreys and red kites. an extensive collection of zoological specimens housed within our museum.

Research-led teaching! You’ll be taught by a passionate team of animal behaviour research scientists and practical animal behaviourists. Their research and practical experience informs our teaching, and provides excellent opportunities for your own final year research project.

Our animal behaviour lecturers are also enthusiastic and innovative teachers! 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.