University Centre Reaseheath - Animal Science Graduate Destinations

Animal Science

Where will your degree take you?

We are Reaseheath.

Are you?

Let’s be honest, making important choices in life is never easy and taking that step-up to Higher Education can often seem daunting.

This booklet aims to give you a taste of what it’s like to be part of the ‘Reaseheath Animal Science Experience’, where academic excellence and student satisfaction go hand in hand.

It’s your degree – be the best!

Top of the class We have over 400 Animal Science undergraduates and our degree programmes are considered to be some of the best in the country. Last year, one in five Reaseheath undergraduates achieved a degree with First Class Honours or Distinction.

Reasons to study Animal Science at Reaseheath University Centre Reaseheath works in close partnership with the University of Chester to ensure that our undergraduates receive a first class learning experience across a wide range of degree programmes.

Our courses are carefully structured to develop an excellent understanding of the wider animal world and industry through a unique combination of theory and practical teaching sessions. This encourages professional skills to be established and specialist pathways to be developed.

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Animal Science | Graduate Profiles

“The Reaseheath Experience is something that many of our graduates tell us was the most enjoyable time of their lives.”

Rachel Ellis-Jones, Dean of Higher Education

Our expert staff and outstanding facilities Reaseheath lecturers are all experts in their chosen field and this combined with our worldclass facilities enhances learner experience.

Our purpose built Animal Management and Zoo facility opened its doors following a £2.4 million investment and, since this time, the zoo has been expanded to include provisions for Reaseheath’s canine programmes. A further £30 million has been invested across campus to develop facilities such as our high-tech laboratories and a new halls of residence.

Learning opportunities outside of the lecture theatre

It’s your future Animal Science graduates pursue a variety of careers and many of our former students are now industry leaders. Some make a particular species or group of animals their specialism, others seek employment in the welfare or animal management sector, while the field of ecology can offer opportunities in environmental consultancy, wildlife monitoring and research.

We believe that there is no better endorsement for our degree courses than the recommendation of those who have experienced them. Check out the selection of graduate profiles contained in this booklet to read where the ‘Reaseheath Animal Science Experience’ has taken some of our former students.

Reaseheath’s reputation for producing graduates with relevant industry knowledge is excellent and we fully endorse the benefits of learning outside of the classroom.

All of our Animal Science undergraduates have the chance to join optional international field courses in exciting locations such as South America and Southern Africa.

Did you know?

Our enrolment figures have more than doubled over the last 4 years across our Animal Science cohorts, with undergraduates reporting high levels of satisfaction for teaching and learning.

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Animal Science | Graduate Profiles

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Animal Science | Graduate Profiles

Our top-class facilities Reaseheath is small enough to retain a friendly, family atmosphere, while providing a range of world-class facilities to enhance your learning experience. Set in rural Cheshire amongst 330 hectares, our campus has been carefully designed to maintain and create wildlife habitats and this, in turn, generates research opportunities for our degree students.

Reaseheath undergraduates benefit from the experience of working with over 250 different animal species who are housed in our Animal Management Centre and Zoo facility. We were the first educational establishment in the UK to be granted a zoo license and we are proud to be accredited by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA).

Our award winning zoo has been expanded to include provisions for Reaseheath’s canine programmes such as kennelling facilities, commercial standard grooming parlours, dedicated training areas and a full set of competition quality dog agility equipment.

We have invested a further £30 million across campus to develop facilities such as our state-of-theart laboratories, campus sports facilities and our residential student accommodation.

All full-time Higher Education students are given the opportunity to apply for residential accommodation.

First year students are guaranteed accommodation and this offer is made to all applicants who live more than a reasonable daily traveling distance from Reaseheath.

Find out more at ucreaseheath.ac.uk/accommodation

“Reaseheath has magnificent facilities and not only provides an excellent home for a range of species found in national zoo collections but is using them to train the biologists of the future.”

Ian Redmond OBE Conservationist and Environmental Campaigner

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Animal Science | Graduate Profiles

Learning outside of the lecture theatre Reaseheath’s reputation for producing Animal Science graduates with relevant industry knowledge is excellent. We fully endorse the benefits of learning outside of the classroom and offer our students a variety of additional learning opportunities and extra-curricular activities.

Conferences and visiting speakers

Day courses and workshops

These conferences help our undergraduates to become better informed about the organisations, current topics and campaigns impacting the natural world. Interaction with key industry representatives allows students to develop their academic and professional networking skills while creating pathways for potential career and volunteering opportunities.

Our undergraduates have access to a range of optional courses and workshops such as the Marine Mammal Medic course. Held annually on campus, lectures and practical instruction are given in marine wildlife rescue with the aid of inflatable, life-sized replicas of dolphins and whales. Those attending this course are awarded an internationally recognised qualification, the British Divers Marine Life Rescue Marine Mammal Medic certificate.

Reaseheath students can also join industry experts from across the country in attending animal training and enrichment workshops.

Presentations have been given by speakers such as international animal trainer Sabrina Brando and Dr Andrea Fidgit - a nutritionist at Chester Zoo - on topics including nutrition, safety and welfare, enrichment and how to encourage natural behaviour in captive zoo collections.

Each year, our Animal Welfare Conference attracts experts from across the animal management industry with representatives from Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW), the RSPCA, and the Blue Cross regularly attending. In 2016, we were also proud to host the BIAZA Terrestrial Invertebrate and Native Species Working Group (TIWG) conference.

Students can also put their research into context by listening to the range of guest speakers who visit Reaseheath. In the past, speakers have included Dr Paul Rees, a leading authority on captive elephant welfare, and the influential conservationist Ian Redmond OBE. As an environmental campaigner, Ian is best known for his work studying the mountain gorillas of Rwanda with Zoologist Dian Fossey, who inspired the film ‘Gorillas in the Mist’.

Opportunities in the media Video content is a powerful medium, and our Wildlife Conservation and Ecology undergraduates get the chance to hone their film-making skills during a week-long course led by industry experts from the Wildeye International School of Wildlife Film-making.

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Animal Science | Graduate Profiles

Wildeye Principal Piers Warren with Camera and Production tutor Mike Linley developed www.wildlife-film.com and the associated monthly e-zine Wildlife Film News, which remains the world’s leading source of information about the wildlife film-making industry.

Under their watchful eye, undergraduates can develop their own film-making skills so that they can record, communicate and promote their research projects.

Areas covered include planning, research and storyboarding along with practical production skills such as filming techniques, stills photography, sound recording and editing.

The course culminates by students compiling a two-minute film and receiving expert feedback.

Our student societies Our many student societies offer their members educational visits and lectures, the chance to work with communities on environmental projects and the opportunity to be part of fundraising events to benefit animal charities. From ornithology to photography, canines to conservation - there’s something to suit most interests: • Conservation Society • Birds of Prey Society • Herpetology & Entomological Society • Primate Society • Photography & Filmmaking Society • Mammal Society • Canine Society A full range of sports societies are also available and our undergraduates have access to the student societies at the University of Chester.

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“ The field course had so much to offer in terms of learning new skills that can be applied in the field. I also learnt so much about an array of species, particularly how to track, monitor and protect them. The experience gave me the opportunity to travel, see more of the world’s range of cultures and landscapes, and make some unforgettable memories!”

Laura Suckley BSc (Hons) Animal Management (Behaviour and Welfare) Top-Up

Animal Science | Graduate Profiles

International field courses We offer our Animal Science undergraduates the chance to experience three annual international field courses during their studies, either to Southern Africa, South America or to the Netherlands.

Each field course provides educational activities to reinforce and develop core knowledge and skills, which are then often applied in novel and challenging settings.

Students are also encouraged to immerse themselves within the cultures being experienced whilst in-situ. This is a unique opportunity and one that many students choose to repeat. In 2016, 25% of our Animal Science undergraduates chose to take part in an international field course.

During our field courses to Southern Africa and South America an emphasis is placed upon the development of core employability skills including species identification and

survey skills. The development of knowledge is also key and regular seminars are given so that complex conservation issues, such as poaching for the ivory trade and human-animal conflict, can be discussed.

Students can also engage in a range of meaningful conservation activities with local communities including invasive species removal and tree planting. These field courses can be studied for academic credit.

In the Netherlands, our students visit a number of zoological collections where they can engage in a range of activities including behind the scenes tours, bespoke lectures and the opportunity to network with industry representatives. More specifically, students will typically have the opportunity to explore and evaluate current animal husbandry practices and enclosure design at different zoos.

“ The field course changed my whole life plan from studying Animal Behaviour and Welfare to Wildlife Conservation and Ecology. This change now makes me feel engaged in issues that are affecting the natural world right now and I believe I’ve been given the insight and skills to make a difference no matter how small.”

Abbie Harries BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation and Ecology (year 3)

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Animal Science | Graduate Profiles

Our Courses BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Welfare BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Welfare with a Foundation Year BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation and Ecology BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation and Ecology with a Foundation Year BSc (Hons) Animal Management (Behaviour and Welfare) Top-Up BSc (Hons) Canine Behaviour and Training Top-Up BSc (Hons) Small Animal and Equine Veterinary Nursing BSc (Hons) Zoo Management Top-Up FdSc Animal Management (Behaviour and Welfare) FdSc Canine Behaviour and Training FdSc Small Animal Veterinary Nursing FdSc Zoo Management

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Graduate Profiles

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Animal Science | Graduate Profiles

Katie Adams BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation and Ecology, 2014 Field Guide Katie’s set on a highly specialised career helping to conserve endangered species. Widely travelled and with experience of working in animal rehabilitation in South Africa and in the UK, Katie feels that achieving her Reaseheath degree has very much helped to crystallise her career options.

Straight after graduating, Katie went on to gain her Field Guide Association of South Africa (FGASA) Level 1 Field Guide licence and she’s now working as a conservation Field Guide for the volunteer organisation African Impact, based in Greater Kruger, South Africa.

Katie’s role sees her working closely with volunteer groups on a range of conservation research projects.

She’s also coordinating an ecology management project to support the re-development of deteriorated areas of the African Impact site.

I get to wake up every day in the African bush and say welcome to my office!

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Said Katie: “I’m always studying to keep up with industry trends and working up to 16 hour days on 6 week blocks is a challenge. However, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else, I get to wake up every day in the African bush and say welcome to my office!”

Animal Science | Graduate Profiles

Rachel Bowles BSc Animal Management, 2015 Trainee Animal Keeper Rachel’s turning her love for animals into a career working as a trainee Animal Keeper at Animal Alive wildlife park. Graduating with a BSc in Animal Management 2015, she went straight into her role at Africa Alive, based in the Aardvark section.

Initially completing her Foundation Degree before ‘topping up’ to the full BSc, Rachel enjoyed the broad scope of the behaviour and welfare course and feels this opened up lots of opportunities for career progression across the animal sector.

Thoroughly involved in student life at Reaseheath, Rachel was the founding chairperson of the Reaseheath Conservation Society. She had great fun leading the society’s regular meetings, working with like-minded people to organise events and helping raise awareness of the importance of conserving endangered species. She was also an active member of the Reaseheath Student Association.

Said Rachel: “My time at Reaseheath helped me grow into the person I am today. I loved every single minute I spent there. The course gave me the knowledge I needed to progress within the animal industry and the opportunity to gain valuable work experience.”

My time at Reaseheath helped me grow into the person I am today.

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Animal Science | Graduate Profiles

Daniel Collin BSc (Hons) Zoo Management, 2015 Zoo Keeper Wildlife enthusiast Daniel Collin, completed a foundation degree at Reaseheath before embarking on a BSc in Zoo Management.

Whilst working in Reaseheath’s campus zoo, Daniel developed the knowledge he needed to actively pursue his ‘dream job’ as a zoo keeper.

After graduating, Daniel worked in the service industry and then as a landscape gardener for a year before he secured a job at ‘Bugtopia the Zoo’ in Rutland.

“My course at Reaseheath was invaluable in preparing me for my career. Without Reaseheath, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

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Here, his responsibilities include the care of invertebrates, reptiles, parrots, raccoons and armadillos. ‘Bugtopia’ is a growing zoo collection and Daniel has an active role in designing enclosures, creating diet plans and educating the public. He is currently in the process of becoming a zoo manager.

As a keen conservationist, Daniel spent a month in South Africa with the ‘Vulpro’ organisation helping to monitor and rehabilitate critically endangered vultures.

He also makes regular visits to Malta to assist ‘Birdlife Malta’ in their attempts to oppose the illegal hunting of migrant birds.

Said Daniel: “I’ve always had a burning passion for wildlife and it feels amazing to be working with animals from all over the world and trying to make a difference. Reaseheath provided an amazing student experience and I’ll always look back on my time there with pride and fondness.”

Animal Science | Graduate Profiles

Lucy Cosgriff BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation and Ecology, 2014 Lecturer/Course Manager Originally from Altrincham, Lucy moved to Nantwich to study at Reaseheath. Since graduating she’s joined our teaching staff as a lecturer/course manager in animal management.

Lucy initially completed her Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management at Reaseheath before embarking on her degree with us.

During her degree Lucy had the chance to get involved in a range of field based projects including venomous snake research and a deer study based at Tatton Park. She particularly enjoyed the ‘family like’ environment that Reaseheath offered and felt support from staff was second to none.

Having enjoyed her time at Reaseheath so much, Lucy was thrilled to be given the chance to become the college’s first ‘graduate trainee’ for the animal management department, after spending time working at a pet shop and volunteering for the RSPCA after graduating. The graduate trainee programme gave Lucy the opportunity to gain valuable insights into teaching and as a result led her to her current teaching role.

Alongside day-to-day teaching, she’s also currently mentoring the animal management department’s newest graduate trainee while completing her Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).

I loved my time as a student at Reaseheath and now it’s my time to pass on my skills and experience.

Said Lucy: “I loved my time as a student at Reaseheath and now it’s my time to pass on my skills and experience. I find the pastoral side of teaching the most challenging and rewarding at the same time. I’m learning every day and I’m excited to keep progressing in my role.”

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Animal Science | Graduate Profiles

Charlotte Daniels BSc (Hons) Zoo Management Top-Up, 2015 Primate Care Staff After completing her Foundation Degree in Zoo Management, Charlotte decided to ‘top up’ to the full BSc degree at Reaseheath.

Since graduating, Charlotte has held seasonal roles at Yorkshire Wildlife Park and Woburn Safari Park where she worked with a variety of species.

A life-long passion for chimpanzees also took her to Cameroon where she spent six months volunteering at Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Centre.

Upon returning to the UK, Charlotte was offered a full-time position as Primate Care Staff at Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre in Dorset. Charlotte is passionate about chimpanzee conservation and plans to do more fieldwork in the future.

“My degree contained a wide variety of modules which helped to develop my theoretical knowledge and supplement the practical side of animal care-giving.”

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Said Charlotte: “My degree contained a wide variety of modules which helped to develop my theoretical knowledge and supplement the practical side of animal care-giving. I was a founding member of the Reaseheath Conservation Society which helped me to make some great contacts, and I was a casual keeper for two years at Reaseheath zoo. My experience meant that I was offered several work placements which ultimately led to my success after graduating.”

Animal Science | Graduate Profiles

Elen-Sian Griffin BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation and Ecology, 2015 Conservation Ranger Elen’s putting her wildlife conservation and ecology degree to good use working as a Conservation Ranger at Whinfell Forest in Cumbria.

Studying at Reaseheath equipped me with the skills and knowledge to turn my passion into a career.

A big part of Elen’s job involves running a variety of educational workshops, from leading wildlife walks and pond dipping, to creepy crawly handling sessions.

She’s also involved in conservation surveys and habitat regeneration work across the forest. She believes her Reaseheath degree equipped her well for the diverse nature of her role, especially all the practical sessions and conservation survey training that she took part in.

Some of the best parts of student life Elen notes was being part of the Reaseheath Student Association, getting involved in RAG (Raising and Giving) charity fundraising and working in the student bar.

Said Elen: “I’ve always had a passion for animals. I chose wildlife conservation because I believe everyone should get the best chance possible to experience the unique range of species we have on our planet. Studying at Reaseheath equipped me with the skills and knowledge to turn my passion into a career.”

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Animal Science | Graduate Profiles

Reaseheath felt like a home from home - it was a great place to build my confidence and mature as a researcher.

Natalie Regan BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation and Ecology, 2015 MSc student Passionate conservationist Natalie is taking her research skills to the next level now she’s graduated from Reaseheath. After completing her BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation and Ecology with First Class honours in 2015, Natalie’s now studying a Master’s degree (MSc) in Bird Conservation at Manchester Metropolitan University. Part of her MSc involved a fieldwork project based in the Philippines. She spent three months surveying and monitoring a rare endemic species of bird, Isabela Orieles (Oriolus isabellae) native to the Luzon rainforest.

During the trip she successfully ‘banded’ four of the birds to enable conservationists to continue to track their movements and behaviours, having received bird banding training in the UK before embarking on her trip.

As a Reaseheath student Natalie particularly enjoyed the practical elements of her degree.

She feels this, coupled with the support of industry experienced staff, gave her the confidence to continue to progress with her studies and get involved in ‘live’ field research.

Said Natalie: “Reaseheath felt like a home from home – the campus setting provided a good student atmosphere and it was a great place to build my confidence and mature as a researcher.”

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Animal Science | Graduate Profiles

Lizzie Stuart BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation and Ecology, 2015 Visitor Services Manager During her wildlife conservation and ecology degree, Lizzie developed a breadth of knowledge across a wide range of subject areas and took the opportunity to join educational study tours to Botswana on two occasions.

After graduating with a 2:1 degree, Lizzie worked as an assistant manager at a kennels and cattery and took another part-time job as a nutritional/ sales advisor at ‘Pets Corner’. Lizzie went on to secure a position with Shropshire Wildlife Trust as a Membership and Engagement Officer at their headquarters.

Lizzie’s role included engaging with the public, managing the Trust’s visitor centre, team-leading volunteers and organising events and activities.

Lizzie was also a retail buyer with responsibility for managing stock levels at the visitor services outlets.

Following a promotion to Visitor Services Manager, Lizzie is now responsible for the management of the trust’s visitor services and is excited to see how this role develops.

Said Lizzie: “Although I never thought that my career would take this path after studying wildlife conservation and ecology, I am enjoying my role and I’m proud to work for Shropshire Wildlife Trust. My degree course developed my general knowledge of wildlife which significantly helped me to find employment with a wildlife conservation charity.”

“The staff at Reaseheath are very supportive, approachable and enthusiastic which made a huge difference to my studies.”

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Animal Science | Graduate Profiles

Jack Wootton BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation and Ecology, 2015 Founder of ‘Project Sumatra’ Jack joined Reaseheath to study a Foundation Degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare but transferred to the BSc (Hons) in Wildlife Conservation and Ecology in his final year.

Upon graduating, Jack took a year out to launch ‘Project Sumatra’, an educational documentary that aims to highlight the issues facing Sumatran orangutans and other wildlife.

“I have massive respect for the staff at Reaseheath. The quality of knowledge transfer is superb and the support I received helped to amplify my passion and gave me the drive to pursue my goals.”

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Starting in Janto in the Aceh province, Jack’s documentary will be shot in different locations across Sumatra. It will foreground the efforts to conserve orangutans and their natural habitat which has been decimated by forest fires since 2016. Orangutans, in particular, play a key role in forest ecology and canopy maintenance. The species face an uncertain future due to deforestation, demand for palm oil and the illegal pet trade and numerous other reasons to be identified in the documentary.

Said Jack: “My degree inspired me to make a documentary about how the demand created by western society directly impacts on other parts of the globe. I’ve pulled together a great team of people – some of whom I met at Reaseheath – and I have the backing of some official sponsors. I want to prove that if you have the drive and passion then this type of project is possible to achieve.”

Jack has gone on to complete a post graduate degree in wildlife conservation and ecology at the University of Chester. ‘Project Sumatra’ has developed into an ongoing project and the documentary is due for completion in 2018.

Animal Science | Graduate Profiles

Caroline Wright Foundation Degree Zoo Management, 2014 African Hoofstock Keeper A Foundation Degree in Zoo Management from Reaseheath led Caroline to her dream job as an African Hoofstock Keeper. Working for West Midlands Safari Park, Caroline’s in charge of the health and wellbeing of all the hoofstock animals including white rhino, Rothschild giraffe and Grevy’s zebra.

A demanding and rewarding role, Caroline’s out working in all weathers patrolling the reserves to make sure the public and animals are kept safe on site.

Caroline, 22, first came across West Midland’s Safari Park when she completed her work experience module there during her degree. Having impressed zoo staff with her dedication, she went on to gain a summer placement and shortly after was offered her full-time hoofstock keeper role.

Said Caroline: “Getting out into the industry and proving you’re hard working is incredibly important if you want a career as a zoo keeper. Your qualifications will get you so far, but it’s work experience that really makes you stand out from the crowd.”

She’s currently completing a Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals (DMZAA) to become a fully qualified zoo keeper and hopes to continue training to eventually progress to a senior keeper position.

Getting out into the industry and proving you’re hard working is incredibly important.

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Animal Science | Graduate Profiles

James Wylor-Owen

I’m thrilled to finally be out in the field contributing to real life wildlife conservation.

BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation and Ecology, 2015 Behavioural Research Assistant James launched his wildlife conversation career in Northeast Thailand working in radio telemetry, tracking the world’s longest venomous snake, the King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah). After gaining invaluable fieldwork experience and taking the opportunity to travel Asia, James then returned to Europe to embark on a role as a behavioural research assistant, working for the Max-Planck Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology. James spent two months working with Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) carrying out observational research and recording their behaviours to help understand their general life patterns and social structures.

With plans to work across the globe with as many different species as he can, James has now taken up his next project working with turtles. Aptly titled ‘Marine Turtle Intern’, James is based on the remote South Atlantic island of Ascension, where he is supporting conservation efforts and research into turtle reproduction.

Said James: “I’m thrilled to finally be out in the field contributing to real life wildlife conservation. My degree gave me the vital context needed to fully understand the purpose of the work of conservationists - and ultimately it’s been my ticket to travel the world!”

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Animal Science | Graduate Profiles

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GET CONNECTED

Animal Science ucreaseheath.ac.uk/animal-science enquiries@reaseheath.ac.uk 01270 613284

University Centre Reaseheath, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 6DF