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.
Foundation Degree (FdSc) Animal Behaviour and Welfare


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 | 30 | No |
Animal Behaviour | 30 | No |
Animal Health, Welfare And Nutrition | 30 | No |
Practical Projects, Enrichment and Training | 30 | No |
Teaching and learning will include a range of strategies including lectures, seminars, group work, tutorials, and work experience. Teaching takes place on the 400-acre Merrist Wood campus and is supported by an extensive animal collection that is utilised throughout the course where students will encounter a range of familiar and unusual species.
Assessments are designed to allow students to research into their topics and species of interest for subject areas they would wish to specialise in, linking to career aspirations. The teaching team undertake vocational continuous professional development to keep up to date with their subject specialism. This vocational currency gives a real edge to course content and value is added through guest speakers, visits, and realistic work-based learning assignments. These are shared with our colleagues employed within the animal behaviour and welfare sector.
Throughout the course you will be able to research chosen topics and species of interest for your assessments enabling you to focus on subject areas that you wish to specialise in, and link to career aspirations. Each module will be assessed with 2-3 pieces of work. These could include academic poster creation, conference style presentations, written exams, reports, seminars, media article design, portfolios, video productions, case studies and a dissertation.
Academic skills support is available throughout the year to help you prepare for this range of assessments, including exam preparation.
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.
International fee: Please contact the HE Admissions Coordinator, Sue Taylor on sue.taylor@activatelearning.ac.uk
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.
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.
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.
On successful completion, you will be awarded a Foundation Degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare from Kingston University.
Home/EU* Fee for September 2025 entry: £8,000 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:
We strongly recommend purchasing a laptop to support you in your studies on the course
Optional trips for work experience and professional development, especially if you wish to volunteer overseas, as some of our previous students have done.
We recommend that you budget £100 a year for additional costs such as for stationary to undertake your studies. You can borrow textbooks and access journals from the recommended reading lists most of these are available from the Learning Resource Centre. If you choose to buy textbooks, they may cost up to £60 each.
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. You will also need a pair of boots or wellingtons.
Merrist Wood College offers accommodation for new and existing full-time students who wish to live in our halls. View here: accommodation