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Animal Therapy

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Writtle Campus
More about Anglia Ruskin University

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

Acquire hands-on skills in animal therapy, including techniques like massage therapy and patient assessment skills, while working with both equine and canine patients.

You’ll learn from an experienced team of tutors including veterinary surgeons, nutrition and behaviour specialists, biomechanists, and staff qualified in veterinary physiotherapy, massage and myofascial release.

Writtle is the perfect place to get hands-on experience, with the campus being home to dedicated canine and equine therapy centres, a small animal unit and a working farm.

As a BSc (Hons) Animal Therapy graduate, you’ll be able to apply for membership of the Animal Health Professions’ Register (AHPR).

Our Animal Therapy degree runs alongside the MVetPhys Veterinary Physiotherapy course. You may have the opportunity to move on to the MVetPhys course at the end of your first year. To do this, you’ll need to achieve a 50% overall stage average and get a pass in both the equine and canine OSPE (practical exams).

There are a number of ways to study this course. As well as our 3-year full-time degree, you have the option of studying over:

  • 4 years including a foundation year, to gain a BSc

You can apply through UCAS (UK students) or directly to us (international students).

All BSc students study the same modules, with the addition of foundation year modules for those taking the 4-year course.

Modules

Year 1: Introduction to Veterinary Physiotherapy, Mammalian Anatomy and Physiology, Functional Anatomy, Human-Animal Interaction, Ethics of Animal Use, Canine and Equine Nutrition. Year 2: Research Methods, Applied Anatomy, Animal Therapeutic Techniques, Rehabilitation and Performance, Exercise Physiology, Animal Health Science, Introduction to Animal Biomechanics, Working in a Multidisciplinary Team. Year 3: Capstone Project, Massage Therapy and Remedial Exercise, Animals in Motion, Sports Medicine, Veterinary Pathophysiology, Business and Client Management.

Assessment method

Students are assessed in a number of ways to ensure practical and academic competence, including: - Assignments. - Reports. -Written examinations. Observed structured practical examinations. - Observed structured clinical examinations. - Oral presentations. -Debates. - Dissertation.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Writtle Campus

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 14 September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
JUF2
Institution code:
A60
Campus name:
Writtle Campus
Campus Code:
W
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Anglia Ruskin University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
JUF2
Institution code:
A60
Campus name:
Writtle Campus
Campus Code:
W

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff 96 points

We accept A Levels, T Levels, BTECs, OCR, Access to HE and most other qualifications within the UCAS Tariff.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) MMM

In a relevant science-based subject. Also, you will be able to demonstrate good physical fitness, and animal handling skills experience (canine, equine, farm animal/other species) corresponding to at least: 150 hours for equine 100 hours for canine under the supervision of various providers. We want to see evidence of your placements (letters from the providers stating the date and length of the placements, the animal handling activities undertook and the skills developed) All placements must have been effective before the beginning of the course. Placement must be less than three years old to be taken into consideration. Owning a dog or a horse does not constitute evidence of practical handling. Evidence of other activity related to practical handling (competition, pony club, BHS qualifications) should also be provided.

Access to HE Diploma

Writtle University College welcomes applicants studying Access to HE Diploma courses. For more information please contact admissions@writtle.ac.uk 45 Credits at Level 3 with a mix of Distinction and Merit in a relevant science-based subject to meet the overall UCAS entry tariff. Also, you will be able to demonstrate good physical fitness, and animal handling skills experience (canine, equine, farm animal/other species) corresponding to at least: 150 hours for equine 100 hours for canine under the supervision of various providers. We want to see evidence of your placements (letters from the providers stating the date and length of the placements, the animal handling activities undertook and the skills developed) All placements must have been effective before the beginning of the course. Placement must be less than three years old to be taken into consideration. Owning a dog or a horse does not constitute evidence of practical handling. Evidence of other activity related to practical handling (competition, pony club, BHS qualifications) should also be provided. .

Scottish Higher

96 UCAS tariff points, to include 3 x B, one of which in a relevant science-based subject. An equivalent or higher combination of grades to that indicated above will also be accepted. Also, you will be able to demonstrate good physical fitness, and animal handling skills experience (canine, equine, farm animal/other species) corresponding to at least: 150 hours for equine 100 hours for canine under the supervision of various providers. We want to see evidence of your placements (letters from the providers stating the date and length of the placements, the animal handling activities undertook and the skills developed) All placements must have been effective before the beginning of the course. Placement must be less than three years old to be taken into consideration. Owning a dog or a horse does not constitute evidence of practical handling. Evidence of other activity related to practical handling (competition, pony club, BHS qualifications) should also be provided.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 24 points

Total (IB) Diploma point score of 24 or more Also, you will be able to demonstrate good physical fitness, and animal handling skills experience (canine, equine, farm animal/other species) corresponding to at least: 150 hours for equine 100 hours for canine under the supervision of various providers. We want to see evidence of your placements (letters from the providers stating the date and length of the placements, the animal handling activities undertook and the skills developed) All placements must have been effective before the beginning of the course. Placement must be less than three years old to be taken into consideration. Owning a dog or a horse does not constitute evidence of practical handling. Evidence of other activity related to practical handling (competition, pony club, BHS qualifications) should also be provided.

Extended Project

Writtle University College welcomes applicants studying the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). For more information please contact admissions@writtle.ac.uk

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

96 UCAS tariff points, to include 3 x HE (B1) higher, one of which in a relevant science-based subject. An equivalent or higher combination of grades to that indicated above will also be accepted. Also, you will be able to demonstrate good physical fitness, and animal handling skills experience (canine, equine, farm animal/other species) corresponding to at least: 150 hours for equine 100 hours for canine under the supervision of various providers. We want to see evidence of your placements (letters from the providers stating the date and length of the placements, the animal handling activities undertook and the skills developed) All placements must have been effective before the beginning of the course. Placement must be less than three years old to be taken into consideration. Owning a dog or a horse does not constitute evidence of practical handling. Evidence of other activity related to practical handling (competition, pony club, BHS qualifications) should also be provided.

Additional entry requirements

Other
The entry requirements listed represent typical offers for some of the most popular courses. We use the UCAS tariff when making offers and to determine whether you have met the conditions of our offer. Applicants are selected on their individual merits and offers can vary. We have an inclusive Admissions policy which recognises a broad range of qualifications, both academic and vocational and take into account relevant practical skills. Applicants studying a mixture of qualifications (e.g. A Level with BTEC, Advanced Technical Diplomas) are also warmly welcomed. Please contact our undergraduate Admissions Team for further advice on our entry requirements.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

ARU operates a policy of making contextualised offers for this course which may be a reduced conditional offer or an unconditional offer, using data from UCAS to make our assessment. We consider that this approach promotes the equality of educational opportunity for applicants from low participation groups in HE. ARU welcomes students from diverse backgrounds and helping them achieve their full potential. The offer of a place through the contextual offer process is at the discretion of ARU.

Learn more on the Anglia Ruskin University website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

https://www.aru.ac.uk/student-life/preparing-for-study/help-with-finances/undergraduate

https://www.aru.ac.uk/study/tuition-fees

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