UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE

Programme Specification

This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.

Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17

  1. Awarding Institution / Body
/ University of Central Lancashire
  1. Teaching Institution and Location of Delivery
/ MyerscoughCollege
  1. University School/Centre
/ Forensic and Applied Sciences
  1. External Accreditation
/ N/A
  1. Title of Final Award
/ Foundation CertificateAnimal Studies
  1. Modes of Attendance offered
/ Part-time
  1. UCAS Code
/ N/A
  1. Relevant Subject Benchmarking Group(s)
/ QAA Agriculture, Forestry, Agricultural Sciences, Food Sciences and Consumer Sciences (2009)
Foundation Degrees
  1. Other external influences
/ None
  1. Date of production/revision of this form
/ January 2013
  1. Aims of the Programme

The overall programme aims to:
  • Provide the student with the knowledge and practical skills required for a career in animal welfare

  • Equip the student with a wide range of critical, analytical and problem based learning skills involving creativity and innovation in the welfare of animals

  • Develop a range of transferable skills including communication, numeracy, IT, problem solving and team work.

Animal Collections route:
  • Develop the skills required to be an effective employee within an animal collection organisation.

Health Care Managementroute:
  • Develop the skills necessary for the care of sick or injured animals.

Managementroute:
  • Develop business skills in order to enable effective appreciation of the requirements of small businesses or franchises within larger organisations.

Wildlife Conservation route:
  • Develop the skill necessary to promote the key concepts of wildlife conservation to a wider audience

  1. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

A.Knowledge and Understanding
A1.Current technological practice and its application in the welfare of animals
A2.Knowledge, understanding and application of science and legislation to the welfare of animals
A3.Technological developments and improvements in the welfare of animals
A4.Knowledge and understanding of the range of enterprises in the animal welfare industry.
Teaching and Learning Methods
A combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, data interpretation, case studies and project work.
Assessment methods
Assessment methods will include technical and practical reports, group and individual presentations, individual study projects and time-constrained assessments.
B.Subject-specific skills
B1.Outline the role of national animal organisations in producing strategies to maintain animal health and welfare
B2.Relate features of an animal’s anatomy and physiology to its husbandry requirements
B3.Examine training programmes for animals and determine the characteristics of successful regimes
B4.Describe different approaches to the assessment of animal welfare
B5.Competently care for a range of species in both health and sickness and appraise an animal’s condition and give appropriate advice regarding prophylactic animal care
B6.Evaluate the role of animal collection in the UK and determine the requirements of captive animals.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Subject specific skills will be developed through the delivery of specialist subject material identified in the module descriptions and using teaching and learning programme as identified above, such as lectures, practical work and tutorials. Subject specific skills are further developed by the use of case studies and coursework assignments that reflect aspects of animal welfare issues for a range of species and are reinforced by feedback from assessments. Information technology and computational skills are also developed through project work, presentations and coursework reports
Assessment methods
Assessment methods will include technical and practical reports, time-constrained assessments, group and individual presentations and individual study projects.
C.Thinking Skills
C1.Analyse problems and provide solutions
C2.Think creatively to develop practical solutions to problems
C3.Evaluate alternative solutions to problems
C4.Integrate and evaluate data and information from a variety of sources.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Intellectual skills are developed through the teaching and learning programme outlined above such as lectures, tutorials and practical work in class and work-based. Analysis and skills in problem solving are developed through case studies and project work.
Assessment methods
Thinking skills are assessed using the assessment methods as mentioned above such as examinations, essay and report writing and presentations.
D.Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
D1.Communicate professionally in reports and presentations
D2.Work independently and work as a member of a team
D3.Apply problem-solving skills in various settings
D4.Use appropriate information technology skills in various situations.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Transferable skills are developed through the teaching and learning programme and assessment strategies outlined above. Communication skills are developed in formative sessions and formally assessed in project work and assignment tasks. Teamwork is developed in group activities and through work experience. Reflection and development needs are developed through tutorials and self assessment of performance.
Assessment methods
Assessment methods are as described above.
13.Programme Structures* / 14.Awards and Credits*
Level / Module Code / Module Title / Credit rating
Level 4 / MR1009 / Business Management / 20 / Foundation Certificate Animal Studies
Requires 120 credits at Level 4.
MR1025 / Animal Science / 20
MR1033 / Animal Health / 20
MR1038 / Breeding and Care of Non-mammalian Species / 20
MR1050 / Introduction to Animal Behaviour and Welfare / 20
MR1105 / Behaviour of British Wild Mammals / 20
MR1131 / Introduction to Animal Collections / 20
MR1301 / Animal Health Care Management / 20
15.Personal Development Planning
Personal Development Planning is an essential component of the course. The course will help students recognise the importance of being proactive within their own personal development. The course will help develop key personal and transferable skills which promote employability, entrepreneurship, academic excellence, professional development and global citizenship.
Each student will be allocated a Personal Tutor with whom students will be encouraged to develop skills for independent learning and reflection on student’s academic, personal and professional development. Students will meet with their personal tutor at least twice per semester to develop short and long-term goals, review and plan their progress on the course and discuss their future career path.
Each student group has a weekly timetabled and structured course tutorial which will be used to develop generic personal, employability and academic skills with student groups. An on-line scheme of work, together with web based and other support materials, is available to staff and students alike in the delivery of these tutorial sessions.
Students have access to a wide range of personal development advisory services through the ‘Core’ including careers, financial advice, pastoral support and help with study skills. Students have access to the student support services at the University through the ‘I’, ‘Futures’ and ‘WISER’ study skills.
Students on Foundation Degrees are also encouraged to reflect on their personal and professional development within a professional setting through the Work Skills Development module and subsequently the Work Project module. These modules will further help students plan realistically for career progression and manage their own career development.
All students will also have access to the College ‘Learn2Work’ programme and activities that contribute to ensuring employability of our students can also count towards the ‘Learn2Work’ awards.
16.Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications, together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
120 UCAS Tariff points from one of the following:
  • 2 A-levels (at least one at C)
  • BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma at PPP
  • BTEC Level 3 Diploma at MP
  • 2 Scottish Highers at minimum C or above
  • 3 Irish Highers at minimum C or above
  • NVQ Level 3 in a relevant discipline
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma at 24 points
AS levels and Scottish Intermediate 2s may be used to contribute to entry requirements but they are not sufficient for entry on their own. Alternative equivalent qualifications will also be considered positively.
Consideration will be given to non-traditional qualifications and relevant work experience. Applicants are encouraged to produce evidence of their potential to benefit from the course. Applicants who believe they may be eligible for Accreditation of Prior Certificated and/or Experiential Learning (APCL/APEL) for certain modules will be considered on an individual basis.
Applicants who do not hold a Level 3 qualification but have extensive relevant experience may be offered opportunity to undertake a pre-entry assignment to demonstrate ability to study at the required level.
Applicants for whom English is a second language must be able to demonstrate proof of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at level 6.0 (with no component score lower than 5.5) or equivalent.
All offers may be subject to successful interview.
17.Key sources of information about the programme
  • UCAS:

  • MyerscoughCollege web site:

  • MyerscoughCollege higher education prospectus:

  • Course fact sheet:

  • Course Tutor: Mark Rosbotham

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Academic Quality and Standards Unit

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18.Curriculum Skills Map
Ticks indicate where individual Programme Learning Outcomes will be assessed
Level / Module Code / Module Title / Core (C), Compulsory (COMP) or Option (O) / Programme Learning outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding / Subject-specific skills / Thinking Skills / Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
A1 / A2 / A3 / A4 / B1 / B2 / B3 / B4 / B5 / B6 / C1 / C2 / C3 / C4 / D1 / D2 / D3 / D4
4 / MR1009 / Business Management / O /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
MR1025 / Animal Science / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
MR1033 / Animal Health / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
MR1038 / Breeding and Care of Nonmammalian Species / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
MR1050 / Introduction to Animal Behaviour and Welfare / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
MR1105 / Behaviour of British Wild Mammals / O /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
MR1131 / Introduction to Animal Collections / O /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
MR1301 / Animal Health Care Management / O /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 

Note:Mapping to other external frameworks, e.g. professional/statutory bodies, will be included within Student Course Handbooks

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Academic Quality and Standards Unit

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