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Zoo Biology (Top-up)

Study level:
Undergraduate
Awarded by:
University of Portsmouth

Course summary

WHY CHOOSE THIS DEGREE?

  • Benefit from the largest collection of animals in a UK college in our BIAZA-member centre

  • Develop expertise, data analysis and research skills and use them in your dissertation project

  • Be taught by leading industry experts

What makes UCS special?
As a UCS student you will benefit from lecturers with a wealth of industry experience that comes from working with BIAZA and EAZA research committees/ working groups and a wide range of zoos. UCS is also supporting member of the ABTC and staff are members of the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians. Our teaching staff have experience and expertise in all areas of animal work including veterinary nursing, health and welfare, research, zoo industry and husbandry and animal behaviour and training.

UCS has an unrivalled collection of animals and species in its purpose-built Animal Health and Welfare Research Centre and was one of the first colleges in the country to be awarded a zoo licence and is part of The National Zoo Academy. The centre offers a wide variety of habitat styles and management systems to maximise the student learning potential and experience.

What will I learn?
Building on a strong science foundation, the course will take your knowledge of zoo management to the next level within an industry-standard environment. You will develop research techniques in aspects of zoo animal welfare, behaviour and population management, as well as considering the wider roles of the modern zoo such as visitor learning.

The course promotes the idea of evidence based husbandry as a fundamental feature of contemporary zoo biology and combines practical research skills, husbandry techniques and vital management skills. There is also a strong data analysis theme to prepare you for and support you in your dissertation research.

How will I be assessed?
Assessment is primarily coursework based, comprising practical portfolios, case studies, seminars, reports and essays. This is supplemented in some modules by an exam.

Where can I go from here?
You can progress to the MSc in Applied Zoo Biology at University Centre Sparsholt; alternatively there are many MSc and PhD programmes available at other universities. Sparsholt graduates now work in a variety of roles in the zoo and conservation sectors, while others have continued in education to postgraduate level.

Modules

• LEVEL 6
• Dissertation
• Further Statistics
• Professional Industrial Development
• Applied Zoo Animal Behaviour
• Conservation Biology
• Wild Animal Veterinary Science

Assessment method

Assessment is primarily coursework based, comprising practical portfolios, case studies, seminars, reports and essays. This is supplemented in many units by an exam.

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

  • Course does not award QTS

Discover University Centre Sparsholt

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How to apply

Apply by
31 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:
C300
Institution code:
S34
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

We welcome applications from international students. For further details on the English language requirements, visa requirements and student life, please see our website https://www.sparsholt.ac.uk/international/.

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - Not accepted

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - Not accepted

Access to HE Diploma - Not accepted

Scottish Higher - Not accepted

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - Not accepted

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) - Not accepted

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - Not accepted

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - Not accepted

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - Not accepted

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma - Not accepted

T Level - Not accepted

Diploma of Higher Education, FdSc or HND in a relevant subject, plus GCSE Maths and English at grade C/4 or above (or level 2 equivalents).

Additional entry requirements

Other
GCSE Maths and English @ Grade C/4 or above (or level 2 equivalents)

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6Overall score of 6.0 with minimum scores of 5.5 in any of Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening (CEFR B2) www.ielts.org/about-ielts/ielts-for-migration/united-kingdom
Trinity ISEPassPass in each of Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening (CEFR B2) www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/SELT/UKVI
PTE Academic60Minimum score of 60 or higher in each of Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening (CEFR B2) www.pearsonpte.com/selt-tests/pte-academic-ukvi
We will also accept the following qualification: LanguageCert International ESOL SELT - minimum score of 33/50 in each of Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening (CEFR B2) https://www.languagecert.org/en/uk-visa-exams/study-in-the-uk

Please email degree-enquiries@sparsholt.ac.uk for details https://www.sparsholt.ac.uk/international/english-language-requirements/

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades students 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

LocationFeeYear
Republic of Ireland£9250Whole course
EU£9800Whole course
England£9250Whole course
Northern Ireland£9250Whole course
Scotland£9250Whole course
Wales£9250Whole course
International£9800Whole course
Channel Islands£9800Whole course

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

www.sparsholt.ac.uk/university-centre/additional-costs/

Sponsorship information

If your household income is under £32,960 you could receive a bursary of up to £750 per annum. This can be used to help towards travel costs, books and equipment or anything else that will help you during your course.

Depending on the financial information disclosed in your Student Loan application, UCS may make an automatic bursary award based on specific criteria as set out in our Access and Participation Plan. If this is not the case you may still be able to apply for financial support to the UCS HE Hardship fund by completing a Bursary Application Form (available from end of |Term 1).

For more information please hebursary@sparsholt.ac.uk.

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