A question we were often asked at university open days is ‘What is Animal Science’? What jobs can it lead you to? 

A quick venture to Google reveals the following: Animal Science - the branch of biology dedicated to the study, production, and management of domestic animals, including livestock (cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, horses) and often companion animals, to enhance their health, welfare, and productivity. This should align closely with aspirations of wannabe veterinary surgeons, animal behaviourists, nutritionists and other related popular professions. So what is happening to Animal Science in higher education (HE)?

Animal Science as an undergraduate degree has always been a master of evolution. Historically a livestock-specific agricultural science, it has been known by various names over time and at different HE institutions, often reflecting the specialist knowledge and expertise at these institutions. These courses maintained a steady flow of graduates into the animal nutrition, health, welfare industries, as well as providing the next generation of academics to advance research and education. For some undergraduates, studying an Animal Science degree formed a stepping stone to clinical Veterinary Medicine degree courses after graduation. Others, once exposed to the applied opportunities available to Animal Science graduates, may have decided upon a different career path, in the allied industries. With recent global challenges such as how to produce nutritious food sustainably and in a welfare-friendly way whilst minimising the impact on the environment, never has educating the next generation of Animal Scientists been as important.

Over the last 10-20 years however, things have been changing in Animal Science education. The breadth and diversification of animal science courses has developed significantly, with more courses focusing specifically on areas such as behaviour and welfare, nutrition, therapy and rehabilitation, and separate equine courses (again with a therapy, behaviour and welfare focus). Alongside this there has been a growth in the number of UK Vet Schools and a growing pool of applicants for non-clinical Veterinary Biosciences/Bioveterinary Science degrees appears to have led to a gradual decline in the numbers studying traditional Animal Science programmes. This change in terminology seems to have been driven by a shift in prospective students and their desired identity, as Bioveterinary, rather than Animal, Scientists. Undergraduate courses have had to adapt to keep pace with this change, with creation of many Veterinary Biosciences/Bioveterinary Science or similarly titled degrees falling under the same or similar UCAS and HECOS codes as Animal Science degrees (D300). Without this diversification, maintaining an Animal Science-based undergraduate offering has become unsustainable for many institutions. We should also not forget the impact of research metrics at research-intensive institutions, that often drive recruitment of lecturers with teaching interests which are more distant from the agricultural sciences.

Dr Rachael Neal, School Director of Recruitment and Admissions and Programme Co-Director for BSc Bioveterinary Sciences at University of Reading says:

“At Reading we saw a decline in applications and enrolments for our long-established Animal Science degree. In the past we regularly recruited 20-30 students each year from over a hundred applications, to a point where fewer than 10 students were enrolling annually. We were not alone; colleagues at other institutions experienced a similar change, and there have been course closures. Shifting interests of prospective students have come in tandem with societal changes in how we view our relationships with animals (for example the growing interest in the application of  science to pet care, and changes in how society views animal agriculture), which have no doubt affected what prospective students are looking to study. We’ve also seen an increasing number of HE course providers, including FE colleges, offer a wider array of choices in animal-based degrees (often with strong vocational attraction), meaning individual providers are feeling the pinch.” 

In 2018 the Royal Agricultural University developed a foundation degree in Animal Science in collaboration with Cirencester College delivered between the two institutions. The course blended the RAU livestock and equine specialisms, the small animal, pet and exotic specialism coming from Cirencester College. This combination was expected to be a success, however the programme recruited low numbers and was closed in 2022. When looking across the education sector the growth in specialised animal courses being delivered at a wide range of institutions has likely reduced the pool of students applying to more traditional Animal Science degree courses. 

The decline in traditional Animal Science graduates is being felt across industry, with BISAS graduate membership falling 69% between 2016 and 2026, and anecdotal reports of a shortage of graduates with Animal Science expertise. The question is, is this a true decline? or is it that as a Society (and animal science community) are we failing to recognise that students and graduates of the evolving veterinary biosciences programmes have a very similar knowledge and skills base to graduates of animal science? As Rachael says:

“At Reading, we had no choice but to reinvent our offering to secure our future. But at the heart of our new Bioveterinary Sciences degree are the solid foundations of Animal Science, and we, like many other institutions, seek to produce graduates who are equipped with the knowledge and skills to work in traditional Animal Science roles as well as more veterinary and animal health focussed jobs.” 

Are industry recruiters making it clear when advertising graduate level positions that veterinary bioscience and related degrees are relevant? What can BISAS do to attract a wider membership? Animal Science HE continues to evolve, and as a sector we should ensure that we evolve alongside it, so that we continue to inspire and employ the brightest minds that could make a significant contribution to animal health, nutrition and welfare, long into the future.     

Written by Kirsty Kliem and Simon Daniels on behalf of the BISAS Scientific Committee