The Animal Behaviour and Welfare Foundation Degree provides a fascinating insight into the behaviour and welfare of a range of animal species and application of theory to maintain animal welfare.
Awarding body
Course overview
Application codes
Course Code
HC02HP1A021P
Institution Code
025
Date, fees & location
Start date
September 2025
Location
Merrist Wood College
Fees
Home/EU* Fee for September 2025 entry: £4,000 per year
Timetable
Duration
4 Years
Study mode
Part-Time
Delivery
On Campus
Award
Course award
On successful completion, you will be awarded a Foundation Degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare (Part-Time) from Kingston University.
Year 1:
Professional development in the work environment 1 (30 credits), animal behaviour (30 credits), animal health, welfare and nutrition (30 credits), practical projects, enrichment and training (30 credits). Total 120 credits.
Year 2:
Professional development in the work environment 2 (30 credits); research methods (30 credits); animal and human interactions (30 credits); animal welfare and ethics (30 credits) Total 120 credits.
All students are supported with academic development and you will have access to a personal tutor.
| Module title | Credit | Optional |
| Professional development in the Work Environment 1 | 30 | No |
| Animal Behaviour | 30 | No |
| Animal Health, Welfare and Nutrition | 30 | No |
| Practical Projects, Enrichment and Training | 30 | No |
Teaching & Assessment
How to apply
If you have a Student visa, please book a call to discuss your options.
Applicants should apply through the Activate Learning application portal.
You are advised to ensure that anti-tetanus protection via a course of injections or booster is up to date prior to the commencement of the course. You should also ensure that you have adequate clothing for outdoor work in inclement weather. Fees shown are per year. Please contact the College if you require further information.
For more information, please contact the HE Admissions Coordinator, Sue Taylor, on sue.taylor@activatelearning.ac.uk
The academic regulations for this programme can be found on Kingston University’s website
Applicants should apply through the UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) website. This includes students already at Merrist Wood College. All courses will be listed under Activate Learning on the UCAS website.
Merrist Wood offers accommodation for new and existing full-time students who wish to live in our halls.
Entry Requirements
Tariff Points
64 Points
A Levels
64 UCAS points normally in science-based subjects
BTEC
64 UCAS points normally in science-based subjects
Access Diploma
Pass
Plus:
English and maths GCSE and it is advantageous to have a science (biology) or psychology.
A minimum IELTS score of 6, TOEFL equivalent is required for those for whom English is not their first language.
These entry requirements are subject to change.
Careers
You could progress into employment or on to a one-year Top-up degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare BSc (Hons) or Animal Management BSc (Hons) at Merrist Wood College.
This programme is focused on learners who wish to work with companion and domestic species such as cats and dogs, e.g. behaviour and training roles, or rescue and rehoming centres.
Some set up their own business within the animal industry offering services such as dog walking and pet sitting, or behaviour services.
You could work in the field of canine and feline behaviour and/or training, or set up your own business to offer services such as dog walking, pet sitting or animal behaviour services. You could also work with charitable organisations involved with re-homing pets.
After you complete
Course award
On successful completion, you will be awarded a Foundation Degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare (Part-Time) from Kingston University.
Ready to start your application?
Apply now
Fees
Fee Breakdown
Home/EU* Fee for September 2025 entry: £4,000 per year
Please note:
Tuition fees are published for the first year of entry only and may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Office for Students.
*Fee information for European Union (EU) students: If your course starts on or after the 1st August 2021, you will no longer be eligible for financial support from Student Finance England unless you meet one of the following criteria:
- you are able to benefit from the citizens’ rights agreements
- you are an Irish national living in the UK or Republic of Ireland – benefits of Irish nationals under Common Travel Area guidance arrangement will continue
Additional costs include:
Optional trips for work experience, especially if you wish to volunteer overseas, as some of our previous students have done. Additional printing over and above the £10 allowance provided by the college, and the cost of books that you might wish to purchase.
We strongly recommend that you purchase a laptop for your course.
If you need any further information or guidance, please contact us at HE@activatelearning.ac.uk
