BSc Biological Sciences (Wildlife Health Sciences)

The BSc in Biological Sciences (Wildlife Health Science) is an undergraduate degree, the aim of which is to give you a thorough foundation in biosciences, with further specialisation into aspects of biology required by wild animal professionals.

The overall aim of this course is to produce graduates with high levels of understanding about animal health that are able to apply that to wildlife health situations. This degree is delivered together with the Zoological Society of London.

Course overview

In the first year, you will learn about normal animal physiology including all major body systems and biological processes. In the second year, you will explore disease processes, pathogen biology and an introduction to wild animal biology, as well as carrying out a short wild animal biology focused research project.

In the third year, in addition to two core wildlife related modules, you will be able to tailor the direction of your course, choosing from a programme of advanced study chosen from a range of optional modules. You will also carry out a longer wildlife health research project, supervised by a member of academic staff, during which you will continue to develop your practical, analytical and reasoning skills as well as communication, teamwork and professional development skills. 

The compulsory third year modules will give you in-depth teaching about the health and welfare of wild animals, as well as providing experience in wildlife research. The projects in your second, and third years are relevant to wild animal biology and this focus aims to make sure that you are 'work ready' for a career in a wildlife setting, either in an academic role or in industry.

Work Placements and Research Projects

It is possible to undertake a work placement between the second and third year of study (Certificate in Work- Based Learning and Research). This gives you an insight into the working environment and could be wildlife health related. It is important to note that you will be responsible for finding and securing a placement, although you will be given guidance and support before and during the placement.

Our BSc Biological Sciences (WHS) gives our students groundings in both basic health sciences, and their application in the field of wildlife health. Career options are therefore reflective of these skills. We expect graduates from this course to be pursuing careers in wildlife management (government agencies in both developing and developed countries), wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife related research (universities, zoological collections) or zoo management. Some will continue to study towards a PhD.

Additionally, some of our graduates may choose to use their animal health science training and apply it to domestic animals 'so many of the skills are transferable. There is also the opportunity to apply to our Graduate Accelerated BVetMed programme if you aspire to become a veterinary surgeon.

If you would like to apply for undergraduate studies, you must complete an application through the general undergraduate application process using the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), unless you are applying as a North American College applicant to our Veterinary Medicine course, in which case you must apply through VMCAS (see here for further details).

Please consult undergraduate course information for individual course entry requirements. Qualifications and procedures vary depending on the course you apply for.

The RVC no longer requires any applicants to sit the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT) when applying to the Veterinary Medicine programme, or any other RVC course.

For any further questions regarding undergraduate courses, please contact our Admissions Office: [email protected].