Overview

This Bioveterinary Science (with Foundation Year) (Hons) course from Hartpury College is ideal for those who want to pursue a range of specialist scientific areas that focus on the processes underpinning disease. You’ll apply theory to practice in our dissection and microbiology laboratories, as well as working with our diverse range of animal species on campus. Your first year will provide the foundation you need to tailor your degree to suit your interests and career goals.

This foundation year pathway provides an alternative route into degree-level study. It’s ideal for those who need to gain subject-specific knowledge and skills in order to progress onto the full BSc qualification.

There are three core streams running throughout: animal health and disease; microbiology; and animal therapy. Animal health and disease focuses on the science underpinning animal health. As part of each stream, you’ll be able to examine the cause, transmission, diagnosis and cure of notifiable and zoonotic diseases, studying farm animals, equine and companion species.

Microbiology will enable you to understand microorganisms and how laboratory techniques can help to diagnose bacterial diseases. You’ll conduct research in our specialist laboratories, examining the mechanisms of infection and use of antibiotics. Animal therapy will introduce you to different types of physical therapies and  hydrotherapy. You’ll examine the efficacy of different therapies for different conditions and species, working with horses and dogs in our equine and canine therapy centres.

You’ll also be able to pursue modules on breeding and genetics, as well as livestock production and reproduction which include practical sessions on our commercial farm. Production modules will enable you to study different production systems across a range of enterprises and evaluate cutting edge research in the field of animal production.

Industry opportunities

We’ll support you to gain voluntary work, right from your first year, with students recently undertaking roles in our commercial equine and canine therapy centres, our commercial farm and assisting with practical sessions in our science labs. You’ll benefit from guest lecturers, with recent speakers including vets from the Three Counties Equine Hospital running practical seminars on lameness in horses. Tynsdale Vets also run short practical courses on foot trimming, mastitis and calf rearing on our farm.

Graduate destinations

As an animal graduate you may go on to work in zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks, rescue, conservation or welfare centres. Studying an animal degree will also give you the transferable skills you need for other graduate careers. Recent graduate destinations have included:

• Veterinary medicine

• Journal Editor, Wiley

• Research Assistant, Animal Health Trust

• Master’s and PhD study

• Lab technician

• Pharmaceuticals