Bachelor's in Animal Sciences

You’ll explore all subjects in animal sciences, dive into the biology of domesticated animals, and learn more about chemistry, mathematics and statistics. At the end of the year, you'll also complete an internship, allowing you to put your knowledge into practice.

Courses first year.

Time to specialise! In the second year, you'll take in-depth courses in areas such as genetics, ecology, immunology, zoology, animal nutrition and epidemiology. You will also choose a specialisation: Animal Management and Care or Biological Functioning of Animals. In other words, you’ll zoom out from the animal and its effect on the environment or society, or you’ll zoom in on the animal to understand its biological processes.

Courses second year.

In the third year, you'll take even more specialisationcourses, but for the most part, you'll be in charge of your own programme. Broaden your horizons by taking courses from other programmes, including abroad, or choose a minor that suits you. You'll finish your programme with a thesis for which you'll conduct a short research project, including analysing your own animal data set. 

Courses third year.

In your third year, you can choose whether you’d like to broaden your knowledge or deepen it by taking a minor. You’ll have complete freedom to design it yourself. For example, you might choose a minor in Biology of Infectious Diseases, Biodiversity: Genetics & Life Histories, Agricultural Business Management or Foods of Animal Origin.

You can also take courses at other universities – even abroad. Your study adviser will help you find the best option for you.
Click here to see all available minors.

The program consists of various teaching methods:

• Lectures, where a teacher explains the course material.
• Tutorials and group assignments, where you work on projects with fellow students, sometimes with supervision.
• Practicals, where you work independently in the lab or on the computer with experiments, simulations, and analyses.
• Excursions and fieldwork, where you experience practical situations and learn to apply what you've learned in class.
• Self-study, which is partly scheduled into your schedule, but can also be done flexibly outside of it.

WUR offers more personalised guidance than many other universities. Thanks to the large number of dedicated lecturers, supervisors, and study advisors, you'll receive the support you need. This not only helps prevent dropouts but also makes your studies more enjoyable and educational.

Some bachelor's programs are somewhat similar. We've listed the most important differences for you:

• BSc Biology (Dutch)
  In the BSc Biology programme, you'll learn about all facets of life. Curiosity about how living systems function is central. Biology is a broad programme because it covers all living organisms, from bacteria to mammals and from microalgae to plants. Living nature is studied at all levels: from molecules to cells to organs to individuals to ecosystems. These same levels are also found in Animal Sciences, however, only with a focus on animals that have a relation with humans. This means that in Animal Sciences the animal environment is most of the time human made, and in Biology the environment is their natural habitat. In the third year of Animal Sciences, you have more freedom to explore subjects that touch animals in their natural habitat, like wildlife animals.
• BSc Agrotechnology (Dutch)
  The BSc Agrotechnology is a technological programme focused on plants, animals, and the living environment. Compared to Animal Sciences, this programme therefore focuses primarily on technology and its application in, for example, a cow barn, such as a milking robot or the most optimal barn layout.
• BSc Marine Sciences (English)
  In the BSc Marine Sciences programme, you'll gain a better understanding of marine systems. You'll not only receive ecological training but also learn a great deal about the sea as a food source and its importance to society. It's therefore a social programme. The BSc Animal Sciences programme is a biology programme that also studies aquaculture and fisheries, and how these husbandry systems can become sustainable and future-proof. 

Would you like to know how this programme compares to similar programs elsewhere in the Netherlands? Check de numbers here.

The career options after a master's in Animal Sciencesare incredibly diverse. Animal scientists find work at companies, research institutes, the public sector, or non-profit organisations. Like the following jobs: 

• Policy adviser on issues related to animal welfare, health, or agricultural land development
• Product manager of animal feed
• Researcher or PhD candidate at a university or research department
• Biology teacher at a secondary school
• Project leader of genetic biodiversity programmes
• Adviser in animal behavior or ecology, in the Netherlands or abroad
• Expert in rewilding projects
• Animal health and welfare inspector
• Account manager for animal sensor technology 

Student Career Services facilitates WUR students towards the labour market. If you need help in your orientation towards your future career. 

Many students pursue a master's degree after completing their bachelor's program. This allows you to gain even more knowledge and professional skills. These master's programs are a good fit:

• Master's in Animal Sciences
• Master's in Aquaculture and Marine Resource Management
• Master's in Bioinformatics
• Master's in Development and Rural Innovation
• Master's in Resilient Farming and Food Systems

Another Wageningen master's program is also an option. In that case, in the third year of your bachelor's program, you choose electives that facilitate your entry into your preferred master's program. Your study advisor will help you determine this route, ensuring a smooth transition. Pursuing a master's degree at another university or abroad is often also possible, as your WUR bachelor's degree is recognised worldwide.

To be admitted to the bachelor's programme Animal Sciences, you should have studied biology, chemistry and mathematics.

Have a look at the Application & Admission page for starting at Wageningen University & Research and check whether your prior (international) education qualifies you for this bachelor's programme. 

Are you a Dutch student? Switch the language to Dutch at the top of these pages to view the admission information that applies to you.

Studying costs money. Curious about the costs involved? You can find all information about the costs of this program on this page.

Your student days are about more than just lectures and exams. Think housing, pubs, festivals, sports clubs, and study associations. In Wageningen (and beyond), there's always something to do. Additionally, there are parks, forests, and a river nearby, so if you enjoy the outdoors, you're in the right area.Discover everything about student life here.