BSc (Hons) Applied Animal Behavioural Science and Welfare
"I would highly recommend studying for a degree at Hadlow. I know it sounds like a cliché, but choosing to study at Hadlow was honestly the best decision I have ever made."
Georgia Child - Working towards achieving a Master’s Degree in Veterinary Physiotherapy
What prompted you to come and study at Hadlow College?
I had previously started University, but left part of the way through my first year as I decided it wasn’t what I wanted. When I returned home, I knew immediately that I wanted a career in the animal industry and so carried out voluntary work at a local farm animal sanctuary, Buttercup Goat Sanctuary - it was actually here that my idea to come to Hadlow came about. Many of the staff members had studied at the College and there were several Hadlow students carrying out work experience at the sanctuary. I spoke to many of these students, who were all polite, friendly and enthusiastic about the College, which made me look into studying at Hadlow and visit on an open day.
What has been your favourite aspect of your course so far?
It’s hard to pick, but I’ve really enjoyed being around the Animal Management Unit, getting hands-on experience with the animals as well as the opportunity to go on trips to learn more about controversial debates around the zoo industry as well as the commercial farm industry. We have also had guest speakers who have been very inspirational and I’ve been lucky enough to be taught by a great team of lecturers who are experts in their field with extensive industry experience. They’ve often gone above and beyond what would be expected to help us.
I appreciate the fact that we cover other areas which are beyond what is implicit in the title of the course: for example, units on evolution – which just makes us stronger candidates for a career working with animals.
What do you hope to do next?
After completing my degree, I hope to do a Master’s Degree in Veterinary Physiotherapy. Hadlow has taught me to aim high and made me realise that whatever you want in life you can achieve it if you put your mind to it. I’m a really sporty person, so Veterinary Physiotherapy is the dream job for me, since it combines my love of animals with my love of sport and sport rehabilitation therapies, which I’d previously studied at University.
I have high aspirations and I credit this to the staff at Hadlow. They’ve given me the confidence to strive to achieve the best in everything I do. I hope to one day have my own Veterinary Physiotherapy practice, perhaps focusing on those animals that are involved in the sporting world – racehorses and the show-dog agility industry. I’ve got a few years to work towards this, but I’m just very grateful to Hadlow for giving me the drive I need to achieve it.
How do you think your qualification/course will help you in the future?
A lot of my friends are at University – but my experience is very different to theirs. At Hadlow, smaller class sizes mean we can cover a greater amount of content and enables all the lecturers to know us on a personal basis, which is great as we get support tailored to our individual needs. The course is very varied and hands-on, with theory in the classrooms, which we then have ample opportunity to apply in real life and on the many study visits offered.
Hadlow has a great reputation as a provider of land-based courses, so I feel that studying here will set me up not only to secure a place on a Master’s degree, but to stand out above other candidates at job interviews. Securing a job in the animal industry is not just about a grade on a paper, but about being a well-rounded individual – and the fantastic lecturers have made us fully aware of this by providing us with opportunities for relevant work experience in college as well as fully supporting us to volunteer or gain placements within the animal industry.
I would highly recommend studying for a degree at Hadlow. I know it sounds like a cliché, but choosing to study at Hadlow was honestly the best decision I have ever made.