From the university integrity files, a student had sex with a sheep because he was stressed about his exams, he told police.

The 23-year-old computer engineering major was caught with a ewe in a barn on his California university campus.

A passing student heard noises coming from the agricultural department barn at 3.30am on Tuesday.

Fresno State caretakers said the sheep was being treated by a local vet, ABC7 reported.

Student Marisa Burkdoll, who helps care for the campus horses, said the incident was “sick”.

“It’s just kind of disgusting and revolting and personally makes me angry,” she said. “I mean why would you do that?”

The student responsible was charged with sexual assault of an animal at Fresno County Jail, and has since been released.

He told the authorities he had been drinking, and was worried about his midterm exams.