Animal Science BSc Honours

Clearing - How to apply

What is Clearing?

Each year, universities may have spaces left on their courses after the application window has closed in June.

UCAS Clearing is your opportunity to snap up one of these places, even if you didn't apply to the university prior to the June deadline.

It also gives you a second chance to go to university if you didn't get the grades you needed for your firm and insurance offers.

How do I get in touch?

Our Clearing entry requirements may differ from those advertised; contacting our friendly advisers is the best way to find out if you’re eligible for a place.

You can get in touch through live chat or our hotlines. Call us on 0800 073 5050, or if you’re an international student calling from outside the UK, call: +44 191 222 5000.

Not available in Clearing

This course is not available in Clearing 2024.

This means there are no spaces available for Clearing 2024. If you can't find vacancies in your original course or subject area, try exploring other subjects in a related field.

Search our courses in Clearing

Course overview

We place a particular emphasis on the scientific study of livestock and companion animals (including horses). You'll study subjects that reflect the whole life of an animal:

• microbiology and biochemistry
• animal health and behaviour
• animal reproduction and nutrition

We bring your learning to life through extensive interaction with animals throughout your degree. You'll gain practical experience through regular visits to local animal centres and the University's two farms. You'll also enjoy input from professionals in the animal science industry.

Your third-year group project to organise a conference on animal science equips you with marketable skills such as project management, organisation and teamwork.

Download information about this course as a PDF

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions

This stage provides a solid base in the underlying science of domestic animals, covering:

• health
• microbiology
• biochemistry
• physiology

We’ll also introduce you to the important concepts of sustainable development in collaboration with other degrees.

You’ll also get academic and professional skills training to support and enhance your success in your degree and beyond.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Agri-Food Supply Chains	10
Animal Health	10
Introduction to Animal Physiology	10
Sustainability in Practice	20
Academic and Professional Skills	20
Introduction to Sustainability	20
Cells and Biomolecules	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Introduction to Business Management	10
Natural Science Research Impact	10

You’ll continue to develop your knowledge of animal biology. You’ll apply scientific principles to nutrition, parasitology, animal reproduction and genetic improvement.

We’ll also introduce you to more applied topics such as:

• sustainable animal production systems
• behaviour
• feed science

During your Sustainable Solutions module, you’ll have an exciting opportunity to solve a real-world problem. You’ll form a consultancy team and develop a sustainable solution to a real-world problem posed by industry collaborators.

We encourage all our students to consider a placement or study abroad year between Stages 2 and 3.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Animal Feed Science and Technology	10
Domestic Animal Reproduction and Genetic Improvement	10
Sustainable animal production systems	20
Dissertation and Research Preparation	10
Sustainable Solutions	10
Macro- and Micronutrients	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Human Resource Management	20
Career Development for second year students	20
Current Trends in Agricultural Markets	10
Farm Business Management	10
Animal Parasitology	10
Marketing Strategy	20
Animal Behaviour	10
Animal Function (Physiology and Development)	20
Vertebrate Biology	20

Other optional modules may also be available.

In your final year, our teaching will draw on the latest scientific discoveries.

Your research project, guided by your supervisor, will be 25% of your marks. It can be lab-based, carried out at one of our University farms, or an animal centre.

During this stage, you’ll work as a group to organise a conference. It’ll be on the current issues in animal science. It’s a great opportunity to improve your skills in project management, organisation and teamwork.

For your optional modules, you can choose to focus on your own interests. You can choose from applied animal nutrition, animal welfare and behaviour and more. You’ll explore the latest technologies and get a global perspective.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Animal Science Conference - Current Issues and Debates	20
Reproduction in Farm and Companion Animals	10
Applied Animal Nutrition	10
Animal Welfare and Behaviour	20
Dissertation	30

Optional Modules	Credits
Career Development for final year students	20
Forage Utilization	10
Your Future - occupational awareness	10
Insight, Innovate, Impact	10
Physiological Zoology	20

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They are based on the modules chosen by our students in 2023-24.

Teaching time is made up of:

• scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present.
• structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

On average, you'll have around 25 contact hours a week through a combination of lectures, seminars, and group tutorials.

Theoretical teaching is reinforced through visits to animal centres, the University's farms and other farming businesses.

Throughout the course, you carry out project work and submit reports, both as individuals and in groups.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Assignments – written or fieldwork

• 

  Case studies

• 

  Coursework

• 

  Dissertation or research project

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Group work

• 

  Practical sessions

• 

  Presentations

• 

  Projects

Skills and experience

Practical skills

We’ll arrange frequent field trips to a range of animal centres and our farms. These trips will help you:

• apply your learning
• develop your practical lab skills
• form a close-knit bond with your peers

You can also sign up at the farms to get extra hands-on animal management experience and develop your skills.

Business skills

We encourage all our students to take a placement year between Stages 2 and 3. You can spend this year working in the industry or studying abroad.

If you study abroad, you’ll join one of our many global partner universities where teaching is in English.

Many of our modules have input from industry. This can include:

• guest lectures
• industry-set challenges
• business visits
• industry events

Newcastle University also offers a range of internships, career development modules and extra-curricular opportunities.

Research skills

In your final year, you'll complete your Animal Science Research Project in an area of your choice, such as:

• animal health
• behaviour
• welfare
• reproduction 
• nutrition

Your project is an opportunity to review the current science, plan, and implement a piece of research before discussing your findings. Some of our students even present their findings at cutting-edge conferences before they graduate.

Your project can be lab or field-based. And it can include the use of animal-wearing sensor technology.

Opportunities

Study abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

You can choose to spend up to a year studying at a partner institution overseas.

If you choose to study abroad, it will extend your degree by a year. 

Find out more about study abroad

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year.  Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements.

Facilities and environment

Facilities

Agriculture is based in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at our city-centre campus. During your studies, you'll have access to two commercial farms near Newcastle.

Our University farms, Cockle Park Farm and Nafferton Farm, will give you an insight into how real-world farms operate, so you're prepared for your future. Our farms are used for research, teaching and demonstration.

You'll have the opportunity to access modern laboratories equipped with industry-standard equipment. You'll also use NU-Food, our food and consumer research facility.

You'll be able to use our computing facilities, including computers running industry-standard software used in agriculture businesses, to help ensure you're career-ready.

Support

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.

There's also a staff-student committee, to give you an opportunity to have a say in how your degree works.

Your future

An Animal Science BSc degree can prepare you for a career in animal science, agriculture and the environmental sector.

This degree can help you pursue a career in:

• animal welfare
• animal nutrition
• animal breeding
• animal health

Career examples could include:

• research scientist working in product development
• account manager for an animal health company

Join a network of successful graduates

Newcastle graduates have a strong reputation in the industry. They’re sought after for many animal-based roles, including graduate schemes in the:

• food supply sector, such as Cranswick
• animal reproduction and genetic improvement, such as Genus

Recent graduates have found roles as:

• Dairy Customer Agricultural Manager at Arla Foods
• Dog Behaviourist at the Dogs Trust
• Junior New Product Developer at Mars Pet Nutrition Europe
• Animal Welfare Advisor to the New Zealand Government
• Wildlife Conservation Project Officer

Enterprising students

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Careers support

Our Enterprise Challenge gives students the opportunity to work with industry on a project that tackles real-world issues. Watch the above video to find out more.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

The 2025 home fees have not yet been confirmed (see ‘Home Fee Students’ information below).

Qualification: BSc Honours
Home students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (per year) Not set
International students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (per year) 30600

Home Fee Students

Home students starting in 2024 entry
£9,250 is the maximum fee that we are currently permitted to charge for home fee-paying students. This is set by the UK government.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Home students starting in 2025 entry
The 2025 home fees have not yet been confirmed. In November 2024 the government increased the maximum fee level to £9,535 for 2025/26. We expect to confirm our Undergraduate Home fees for 2025/26 in December 2024.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

International Fee Students

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages