Queen's University Belfast

Source: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/veterinary-biosciences-bsc-d304/ Parent: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/

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Undergraduate 2027

Undergraduate 2025

BSc | Undergraduate

Veterinary Biosciences with Professional Studies

Apply via UCAS Register Interest

Entry year : Academic Year 2027/28

Entry requirements : BBB/ABB

Attendance : 4 years (Full-time) \

UCAS Code : D304

Placement : Yes

Overview
Course content
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Overview: The Veterinary Biosciences programme offers dynamic, research-led education at the intersection of animal health, welfare, disease and biomedical science. This degree is designed for students passionate about understanding the biological and physiological processes that underpin animal health and veterinary medicine and how this knowledge can be applied to improve animal health and welfare, public health, and biomedical research.\ \ Through a combination of lectures, laboratory work, field studies, and research projects students will explore key areas such as animal physiology, immunology, infectious diseases, genetics, pharmacology, and comparative pathology. The curriculum integrates both theoretical foundations and practical skills, enabling students to investigate the mechanisms of disease, the science of diagnostics, and the principles behind disease prevention and treatment in animals.\ \ Students will learn from experts in veterinary medicine, molecular biology, animal welfare, parasitology and biotechnology, gaining hands-on experience with modern research techniques, diagnostic tools, and ethical frameworks that guide veterinary and biomedical science. There is also a strong emphasis on the One Health approach, recognising the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health and the conservation challenges met in the modern world. The societal impact of animals will also be examined.\ In later years, students may specialise through optional modules and independent research projects, choosing areas such as wildlife disease ecology, conservation, veterinary public health, translational medicine, or animal behaviour and welfare. This programme offers opportunities for placements in veterinary labs, research institutes, animal rehoming and rehabilitation centres or the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.\ \ Skills obtained\ The programme is designed to equip the student with a diverse set of relevant, core transferrable skills which include:\ A knowledge of animal handling, animal welfare, detection/prevention and treatment of disease, principles of veterinary anaesthesia, analgesia and behaviour modifying drugs, oncogenesis, sampling methodologies and interpretation of presented behaviours.\ \ Ability to consider animal health and welfare within the broader One Health context that encompasses human and environmental/ecological health. \ \ Effective communication, collaboration and reflective learning will equip students for management roles and meaningful interactions with professionals and members of the public alike. Students will also acquire scientific research skills including laboratory-based practical skills, statistics and data handling. In addition, students will have the opportunity to conduct an independent research project in the final year of the programme. \ \ The Professional Studies pathway offers additional opportunities to explore and utilise the practical skills gained during the teaching of their degree and apply these in a work environment. Experience can be gained nationally or internationally and facilitates the development of management skills and critical career networks.

Course highlights

Global Opportunities

At QUB students have the opportunity to avail of the strong international links with Universities in South Africa, America and Canada. In addition there is the opportunity to volunteer or carry out projects at many international sites including the elephant sanctuary in Thailand, African Wildlife rehabilitation centres in Namibia and South Africa as well as many other countries.

Internationally Renowned Experts

The School of Biological Sciences (SBS) and the Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS) comprise world leading research facilities. In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, QUB SBS and IGFS were ranked first in the UK for Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science which reflects the high quality of the research environment and the impact of the work conducted in these fields.

Student Experience

Students taking this four-year degree are required to complete a minimum 40 -week work placement period as an integral component of their degree.\ \ Work placements on these programmes provide students with the opportunity to utilise the practical skills gained during the teaching of their degree and apply these in a work environment. Students can gain work placement within organisations such as Belfast City Hospital, Royal Victoria Hospital, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Castle Espie, National Trust, USPCA, North Atlantic Whale Foundation, Ulster Wildlife Trust, Harnas Wildlife Foundation Namibia, Mopane & Mapesu Private Game Reserve, South Africa, Health Service, Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary, Turtle Foundation and many more. \ Students will also have the opportunity to gain an animal handling certificate upon successful completion of practical and theoretical components.

Further Study Opportunities

Students may also choose to complete higher degrees, either in the UK or overseas, before embarking on a career in medical, biomedical, veterinary, agricultural and environmental research. Students can choose from a wide range of Master’s programmes at Queen’s, as well as a comprehensive list of research topics. Graduates can also choose to complete the postgraduate teacher training programme (PGCE) for entry into a teaching career.

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Course location

Biological Sciences

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