A student's hand holding feed, with a chicken leaning forward to eat from it
BSc (Hons) Available in Clearing

Animal Management

Develop practical animal husbandry skills, and an in-depth knowledge of topics such as nutrition, breeding, health and behaviour.

Start date
September 2025
Location
Writtle
Duration
3 years
UCAS course code
D301

Start date
September 2025
Location
Writtle
Duration
4 years with foundation
UCAS course code
DF33

UK students have the option to study this course over one year to achieve a CertHE. You’ll study the same modules as students on Year 1 of the BSc.

It's possible to study this course part-time. You'll take the same modules as BSc/BA (Hons) students, but sometimes in a different order or in different years.

As a part-time student you'll typically study for twice as long as full-time students; for example if the BSc/BA (Hons) course takes three years, you can expect to study over six years, though for some courses the part-time length may differ.

1st

in the East of England for undergraduates employed as managers, directors or senior officials.

Source: GOS

Practical competence and commercial awareness are key to the success of the huge number and range of enterprises that make up the UK animal sector, and our industry-focused course is designed with this in mind.

As well as looking at practical animal management, we’ll explore business and trade in the animal sector. You’ll learn from expert staff in our specialist campus facilities, and benefit from ‘behind the scenes’ trips and other experiences.

Careers

Our BSc (Hons) Animal Management degree gives you practical animal husbandry skills, complemented by knowledge of topics such as nutrition, breeding, health and behaviour.

It will prepare you to work in the animal industry which, though diverse, demands practical competence and commercial awareness.

Graduation doesn't have to be the end of your time with us. You might decide to stay at ARU and study a Masters degree, such as our MSc Animal Welfare and Conservation. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Teaching and modules

You’ll start by learning about the fundamentals of animal management, covering biology, ethics, and essential practical and professional skills.

In your second and third years, as well as building on your learning from Year 1, you’ll choose from a range of optional modules according to your particular interests, whether you aspire to work on a farm, as a conservationist, or at a zoo or veterinary practice.

You’ll round off your degree with an independent research project – an opportunity to focus on something you’re passionate about and demonstrate all you’ve learned.

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

Year 1
  • Professional Skills for the Animal Industry (30 credits)
  • Animal Biology (30 credits)
  • Ethics of Animal Use (15 credits)
  • Human-Animal Interaction (15 credits)
  • Animal Husbandry (15 credits)
  • Ecology and Evolution (15 credits)
  • Into ARU
Year 2
  • Research Methods (15 credits)
  • Commercial and Professional Skills for Animal Science (15 credits)
  • Behaviour (15 credits)
  • Animal Health and Welfare (15 credits)
  • Principles of Animal Nutrition
  • Reproduction and Breeding (15 credits)
  • Livestock Production Systems (15 credits) *
  • Management of Zoo Animal Collections (15 credits) *
  • Professional Practice and Legislation (15 credits) *
  • Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology (15 credits) *
  • Animal Rescue, Rehabilitation and Rehoming (15 credits) *
  • Livestock from Farm to Fork (15 credits) *
  • Wildlife Conservation Skills (15 credits) *
  • Applied Behaviour and Training (15 credits) *
  • Veterinary Immunology (15 credits) *
Year 3
  • Capstone Project (30 credits)
  • Applied Nutrition and Feeding (15 credits)
  • Applied Health Management (15 credits)
  • Strategies and Issues in Animal Breeding (15 credits)
  • Applied Behaviour and Animal Welfare (15 credits)
  • Livestock Technology (15 credits) *
  • Applied Issues in Wildlife Conservation (15 credits) *
  • Clinical Animal Behaviour (15 credits) *
  • Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health (15 credits) *
  • Developments in Livestock Production (15 credits) *
  • Developments in Zoo Management (15 credits) *
  • Developing Clinical Practice (15 credits) *
  • Veterinary Ethics and Legislation (15 credits) *
  • Conservation Planning and Development (15 credits) *
Module details

To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.

Year 1
  • Academic and Personal Management Skills (20 credits)
  • Biological Concepts (Introduction to Laboratory Skills) (20 credits)
  • Maths for IT and Science (15 credits)
  • Chemistry for Life Sciences (15 credits)
  • Applied Industry Techniques (30 credits)
  • Independent (Themed) Project (20 credits)
Module details

UK students have the option to study this course over one year to achieve a CertHE. You’ll study the same modules as students on Year 1 of the BSc.

It's possible to study this course part-time. You'll take the same modules as BSc/BA (Hons) students, but sometimes in a different order or in different years.

As a part-time student you'll typically study for twice as long as full-time students; for example if the BSc/BA (Hons) course takes three years, you can expect to study over six years, though for some courses the part-time length may differ.

Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.

Facilities

As an Animal Management student, you'll:

  • study on our 150-hectare campus with its specialist animal centres and working farm
  • take part in animal handling practicals involving work with a wide range of domesticated and captive species
  • go on 'behind the scenes' trips and privileged experiences throughout your course
  • learn from high-profile subject specialist staff.

Take a guided tour and meet our students

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

Apply for Animal Management

Clearing places available

UK students, apply online

UK students

Call our Clearing line

01245 686868

UK students

Apply through UCAS for 2026

International students

Apply direct

Part-time courses

Apply directly to ARU

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