HND Animal Studies

25 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2028

Course Leader Rebecca Simmonds-Cavanagh
Course Team Paul Jones, Rhian Kinsella
Awarding Body Edexcel
Teaching Institutions Bridgend College
Modes of Study Full Time, Part Time

Document Version

Version 5
Valid From 25 Aug 2026
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

QAA Benchmarks

The HND/C Animal Studies will utilise the benchmark statement for HND/Cs from the Quality Assurance Agency. Benchmarks arenational standards used by all UK universities to ensure that a student's work is of a similar standard to that of other students on a similar programme no matter where they study. Students are actively encouraged to engage with the relevant professional bodies in order to develop the appropriate awareness of working within these environments.The high level of applied theoretical and vocational training, and links with employers, constitutes an important element of the programme, thus balancing the academic and vocational elements to maintain academic standards whilst enhancing employability.Professional practice placements are designed to suit the career aspirations of students as well as providing the knowledge and transferable skills needed for employment.The focus of land-based education in the recent past has been biased towards the supply side of land-based enterprises, with the emphasis in the main on production. Bridgend College wants to make a shift change in this mind set, whilst maintaining production standards. It is felt that land-based education needs to refocus to reflect current changes in the industry, with an emphasis on sound business practices, entrepreneurship and animal health and welfare.This new award recognises the strategic priorities for the economic and social recovery of businesses and communities in the countryside, reflecting the need for contemporary agriculture to be managed as a market driven business, and allowing for diversification away from basic agricultural practices to alternative land management. The Animal Studies award particularly aimsto meet the need for skills required by small and medium sized rural enterprises. It seeks to provide graduates who will contribute to the development of a dynamic, competitive and sustainable rural economy, increasing the competitiveness of land-basedindustries through consumer focus and sustainability.The award complements existing further education provision at the college and provides a progression route for our land-based learners and other mainstream learners in the region.The award has received strong support for its syllabus content from current and past students that are/have studied at the college. The awards have been received particularly well due to their progressive approach to the re-alignment and contemporary needs of the landbased business environment within the United Kingdom with a specific focus on Wales.LANTRA are UK’s Sector Skills Council for land-based and environmental industries. The award has been developed taking intoaccount the LANTRA Skills Assessment 2010/11 report. LANTRA have been consulted on the structure and content of the programme and are supportive of it.

Educational Aim

All Bridgend College courses are developed in line with the College’s mission statement to facilitate all learners and staff to “be all that you can be”.

The HND/C Animal Studies allows individuals to benefit from progression from further education courses to higher education, or to retrain in the animal care sector to achieve their maximum potential. Local opportunities for these courses are limited due to little regional competition and therefore this HND provision is invaluable to allow for continued provision in this subject area.

The aims of the HNC course are to:

Develop an academic base of vocational training within the animal care sector.

Provide underpinning knowledge and skills for a variety of careers within the animal care sector.

Provide a high quality training opportunity for individuals seeking a career change or development within the animal care and management field.

The aims of the HND course are to:

Investigate and develop progressive skills in a cross section of animals.

Enhance potential for future career and personal development including both core skills and other transferable skills.

Explore and refine underpinning knowledge and skills for a variety of careers within the animal care sector.

Prepare candidates for entry to the animal care industry by building the required key competences and develop understanding of the links between animal care sectors.

Learning Outcomes

A1 Evaluate and interpret the knowledge, skills and principles which relate theory to practice in animal studies.
A2 Appraise and develop practical competence in relation to industry standards and apply skills with professional understanding.
A3 Demonstrate a critical awareness of the principles of modern practices in the animal care sector.
A4 Appraise and interpret relevant theory relating animal health, behaviour and welfare to practice.
B1 Interpret data effectively in the presentation of an argument.
B2 Compare and select numerical conventions, interpreting trends and data.
B3 Appraise a variety of methods accurately for a well-defined problem and draw appropriate conclusions.
B4 Research and evaluate subject specific facts, theories and concepts.
C1 Critique competencies relevant to professional roles that meet industry standards.
C2 Justify and assess sound practical knowledge and skills within the animal care sector.
C3 Reflect and appraise skills to propose areas for improvement.
C4 Recommend relevant IT applications to the animal management and welfare professions.

Course Structure

Level 4 Modules

Module Code Module Id Module Title Module Status Credit Value Module Type
BI1S64 MOD005026 Animal Husbandry Running 20 specified
BI1S67 MOD005029 Principles of Animal Behaviour Running 20 specified
BI1S68 MOD005030 Principles of Animal Biology Running 20 specified
BI1S92 MOD009626 Small Animal Nutrition Running 20 specified
BI1S93 MOD010377 Academic and Vocational Skills Running 20 specified
BI1S94 MOD010378 Animal Health and Disease Running 20 specified

Level 5 Modules

Module Code Module Id Module Title Module Status Credit Value Module Type
BI2S009 MOD005054 Breeding and Genetics Running 20 optional
BI2S122 MOD010380 Professional Practice and Employability in the Landbased Sector Running 20 specified
BI2S123 MOD010381 Management of Animal Health and Disease Running 20 optional
BI2S94 MOD005032 Anatomy and Physiology Running 20 specified
BI2S95 MOD005033 Animal Welfare Running 20 specified
BI2S96 MOD005034 Anthrozoology Running 20 specified
5A001E MOD014127 Conservation Biology Running 20 optional

Teaching and Assessment

Learning and Teaching Methods

Year 1LecturesLectures provide a guide to relevant content, methodologies, techniques and associated issues.SeminarsTutor-supported seminars allow flexible classroom time for students to learn by doing, to practice, to discuss and to demonstrate their work.TutorialsTutorials, within modules, clarify and reflect on lecture content and use problem solving scenarios and case studies. These are independent of, and different to, the weekly pastoral tutorials.GroupworkTutor supported session to enable students to work together towards a project or desired outcome.Practical Classes and WorkshopsSupervised practical hands on experience to ensure that the skill level becomes practiced at the required level for industry standards.Supervised laboratory periods provide hands-on experience of a variety of ICT tools, Industry software and techniques.Directed Study (including Online Learning)Directed study is time specifically devoted to completing assessments and preparing for examinations.Independent StudyIndependent study broadens learning through reference to flexible learning materials available via the Virtual Learning Environment, set Library texts, journal papers and electronic sources.Formative assessment-independentA systematic approach that considers personal understanding of own skill level and how it relates to the required assessment level. Improves ability to evaluate personal skills independently and effective target setting. Year 2LecturesLectures provide a guide to relevant content, methodologies, techniques and associated issues.SeminarsTutor-supported seminars allow flexible classroom time for students to learn by doing, to practice, to discuss and to demonstrate their work.TutorialsTutorials, within modules, clarify and reflect on lecture content and use problem solving scenarios and case studies. These are independent of, and different to, the weekly pastoral tutorials.Practical Classes and WorkshopsSupervised practical hands on experience to ensure that the skill level becomes practiced at the required level for industry standards.Supervised laboratory periods provide hands-on experience of a variety of ICT tools, Industry software and techniques.External Visits(including fieldtrips)Supervised external visits provides students the opportunity to observe industry relevant practices and the techniques used to support these practices.Directed Study (including Online Learning)Directed study is time specifically devoted to completing assessments and preparing for examinations.Independent StudyIndependent study broadens learning through reference to flexible learning materials available via the Virtual Learning Environment, set Library texts, journal papers and electronic sources.PlacementWork related placement to develop the opportunities for employment experience.Formative assessment-independentA systematic approach that considers personal understanding of own skill level and how it relates to the required assessment level. Improves ability to evaluate personal skills independently and effective target setting.

Employer Engagement

Visiting Speakers

Industry links are well established and the course has an excellent reputation with NGOs and government organisations throughout the area. Many ex-students are in positions within these organisations enjoy returning to the campus to provide talks etc.

Volunteering

Students are encouraged to volunteer with organisations in the sector and staff have excellent contact with potential employers in the area.

Fieldwork

Subject dependent students are taken on practical fieldwork in the local area.

Fieldtrips

Industry links are well established and the course has an excellent reputation with local businesses. Field trips to local successful enterprises enhance the engagement with employers.

Work Placements

Students are encouraged to arrange their own placements with local organisations in the sector and staff have excellent contact with potential employers in the area who can provide support.

Employer Forums

Employer forums allow students to discuss relevant developments within the industry and gain first-hand knowledge of employer requirements and expectations.

Means of Assessment

The assessment process for the HND/C Animal Studies programme reflects both the aims and learning objectives of the programme and establishes clear links with the underlying philosophy of the learning and teaching strategy. This course makes use of a wide range of assessment methods involving an appropriate balance between formative (not formally assessed) and summative (formally
assessed) methods.

Learning Support

Induction

The College places critical importance on thorough induction procedures which make new learners feel welcome, valued and settled in their chosen course. This forms the basis from which learners can undertake their studies effectively and begin to make a contribution to their course. All learners receive a course induction upon commencement of the course, they are directed to critical information to support their study, e.g. student handbook, module handbooks, assessment schedules etc.

Personal tutor

All HE learners at the college are assigned a personal tutor who can act as a first point of contact. Weekly pastoral tutorial sessions are run by the personal tutor and provide a dedicated time and opportunity for any issues (personal or course-related) to be raised in either a group setting or on an individual basis.

Office hours

Office hours at Bridgend College are between 8.30am and 5pm, (Monday to Thursday), and 8.30am – 4.30pm (Friday).

Tutorials

Learners have a mixture of group and individual pastoral tutorials through the year in a dedicated tutorial slot with their personal tutor. Module lecturers may also choose to provide module-specific tutorials to the learners as deemed necessary.

Seminars

Small class sizes on the course allows for a more interactive style of lesson that more closely resembles seminars than lectures, with learners encouraged to participate and enter into discussions with the rest of the group and the lecturer.

Formative Assessment

In line with the University’s Assessment for Learning policy, all modules contain elements of formative assessment as well as their summative assessments. The format of these assessments could include (but is not limited to) examinations, presentations, group tasks, reports, reflective journals, and many more. The style of assessment varies between modules, but is clearly linked to relevant learning outcomes. Feedback from these formative assessments is provided to the learners via a combination of written and verbal feedback, as appropriate to the piece of work and context. Learners are encouraged to review their own progress in these assessments and consider them when setting individual learning targets.

Progress meetings

Learners participate in three individual tutorials a year with their personal tutor. These tutorials are used to discuss progress and set individual learning targets.

Online Resources

Learners are provided with an ATHENS account and a Bridgend College Google account with personal storage space, scanning and printing facilities, and access to the G Suite of apps. The Bridgend College Moodle and USW network facilities (including Blackboard) are available for all learners enrolled on courses in the college.

Advice Centres

Learner support is available at Bridgend College from the HE Office which is located on the first floor of A block at Bridgend campus. The HE team provide advice and guidance on HE applications, enrolment, finance, and on course support and liaison with USW.

DDS Service

Learners with disabilities are able to access assessment by the college Disability and Dyslexia Service [DDS] and support can be provided to meet their needs. This includes one to one in class support, interpreters, note takers and specialist equipment. Support may also take the form of one to one meetings for study skills/organisational skills support. All support resourcing is allocated on an individual learner basis in order to ensure closest fit of support to enable their engagement with learning.

IT/Library

Upon enrolment all learners receive an induction to the Educational Library / Learning Resource Centre (LRC) at Bridgend College on the Cowbridge Road Campus. Early on in the course, the learners then receive an induction to the Pencoed Campus LRC. The LRCs hold a wide range of materials for study including books and journals in both hard copy and electronic format. Learners are able to request library books using the Library catalogue. A dedicated HE study room is available for learners’ quiet use with study space and 12 PCs; this is in addition to the PCs and Chromebooks available for all learners to use within the LRC. There are MFDs which photocopy, print and scan e-mail which are all available for learner use. All requirements for additional needs are supported.

All learners are encouraged to visit the University’s libraries, which provide a range of different learning spaces including individual, group study and PC areas. They also offer wifi access to the university network and library users are welcome to use their own laptops within the libraries.

Course Exit Points

Award Criteria Final
Higher National Diploma 240 credits of which at least 100 must be at Level 5 or above and the remaining credits at Level 4 or above Final
Certificate of Higher Education 120 credits of which at least 100 must be at Level 4 or above and no more than 20 at Level 3 Intermediate

Progression Route

No progression is currently available with USW, however BSc Landbased Business Management (Top-up) is being proposed concurrently with this revalidation within the Faculty of Business and Society.

Entry Requirements

Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:

48 UCAS points (2017 tariff) [2 D’s at A level]

Mature applicants lacking formal entry requirements but with relevant and/or industrial experience will also be considered.

Inclusive Curriculum Statement

The University of South Wales operates a policy of inclusive learning, teaching and assessment to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Course teams will have considered ways of designing out any potentially disadvantageous element of courses during the course design process. However some specific needs may remain, details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3040-disability-and-dyslexia-service/

Addendum for Delivery at a Partner Institution

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Methods Of Quality Standards

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Quality Of Standards Indicators

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