Animal Behaviour, Welfare and Conservation Science

Animal behaviour, welfare, and conservation science brings together three related fields that between them address some of the most pressing questions in how human beings relate to and manage the rest of the animal kingdom. Animal behaviour, or ethology, asks how and why animals act as they do, examining the evolutionary, physiological, and developmental roots of everything from aggression and mating to communication and learning. Animal welfare science evaluates how animals experience the conditions they are kept in and how those conditions can be improved, drawing on behaviour, physiology, and ethics.

Conservation science asks how biodiversity can be protected in a world of accelerating habitat loss, climate change, and species decline.

At Wrexham University, this programme is offered on a part-time basis, which makes it accessible to students who need to balance study with other commitments, including those already working with animals in professional or voluntary roles. The part-time mode suits people who bring practical experience and want to deepen their understanding with rigorous academic study. Across the programme you will engage with the scientific literature on animal cognition, social behaviour, and communication.

You will study the Five Domains model and other frameworks for assessing animal welfare, and you will examine the science and practice of conservation, from population genetics and habitat management to policy and community engagement. Research methods are developed throughout, equipping you to evaluate evidence critically and to contribute to the field.

The programme develops scientific literacy, analytical thinking, and a capacity for ethical reasoning about the treatment of other species. These qualities are valued in a range of professional contexts.

Graduates work in animal management, zoo and wildlife conservation, animal welfare inspectorates, veterinary support, environmental consultancy, and conservation organisations. Others move into research, education, or policy work related to animal welfare and biodiversity. The degree provides a strong foundation for postgraduate study in any of the three constituent fields.