Animal Behaviour

Animal behaviourists apply their scientific skills to understand how and why animals behave in the ways that they do, in order to improve animal welfare, enhance conservation, and further our knowledge of the natural world. On the BSc Animal Behaviour degree at Aberystwyth University you will develop a solid foundation of transferable scientific skills, as evidenced by our Royal Society of Biology accreditation. Equipped with these skills, you will investigate the mechanisms, development, function, and evolution of animal behaviour in a range of pure and applied contexts. You will develop advanced skills in animal behaviour research and ultimately conduct your own independent behaviour research project. You’ll do all this within the wild and beautiful setting of West Wales, which is home to bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic grey seals, pine martens, otters, ospreys and red kites. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to intensively investigate animal behaviour on residential field courses further afield.

Our course:

provides a solid foundation of skills and knowledge in the biosciences which will be invaluable to you within and beyond the field of animal behaviour.

is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology in recognition of its quality.

includes lots of specialist animal behaviour content taught by staff who conduct scientific research into animal behaviour.

includes an optional residential field course dedicated to the investigation of animal behaviour through small group project work.

places behaviour in context with modules addressing health and welfare taught by practising veterinarians, and optional modules developing knowledge and skills in conservation.

includes a substantial, independent research project in your final year, during which you will benefit from one-to-one academic supervision.

is highly suited to students wishing to improve their employability within fields such as animal conservation, animal care and welfare, or animal behaviour research, but also develops skills desirable in a broad range of other graduate professions.

Aberystwyth has excellent facilities for animal behaviourists, including:

a modern aquarium housing cold-water and tropical, marine and freshwater species .

access to a range of small and large domestic animals for animal behaviour research purposes via our university farms, riding school, and veterinary education centre.

access to an extensive woodland neighbouring our campus with over 100 purpose-built nest boxes supporting the study of birds and other wildlife.

wild and beautiful habitats on our doorstep, including marine, moorland, mountain, grassland and coast, providing a huge variety of fieldwork and recreational opportunities.opportunities to view common and rare UK animal species such as bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic grey seals, pine martens, otters, ospreys and red kites.

an extensive collection of zoological specimens housed within our museum.