Animal Management - Level 3 National Foundation and Extended Diploma

This course will give you the skills, understanding and knowledge needed to pursue an animal-related career, such as working in a zoo, becoming a veterinary nurse, working in conservation, animal welfare inspector, animal trainer or even as an animal nutritional scientist designing pet food.

You will cover the core theoretical and practical areas of working within animal businesses and be able to contextualise the captive environments for animals to their wild counteparts. You will take part in research, investigation, analysis and interpreation of many subject areas within the world of Animal Science. This will prepare you to be ready to jump straight into your first animal related job, or to progress into Higher Education to further enhance your prospects within the sector.

The course comprises of a mixture of taught lessons, practical animal care sessions and laboratory based activities. You will also engage in at least 150 hours (per year) of work experience and have further opportunities to learn from trips and visits during the course to develop a wide understanding for Ecology, Conservation, Zoological Science as well as Farming in the UK.

Our animal department has recently undergone a redevelopment in excess of £200,000, and houes over 50 different animal species across all the taxonomic groups, ranging from Degu's, Rabbits, Tenrecs, Newts, Toads, Tomato Frogs and an Iguana, to Snakes, Insects, Spiders and Scoprions. 

This course consists of two separate qualifications. In your first year of study, you will work towards the Level 3 Foundation Diploma. Following successful completion of this qualification, you will be able to progress to the Extended Diploma. Our Extended Diplomas offer equivalent UCAS points to studying 3 A Levels.

Topics covered can include:

Year 1

• Animal Biology
• Animal Welfare & Ethics
• Practical Animal Husbandry
• Animal Behaviour
• Animal Health & Diseases
• Work Experience in the Animal Sector
• Exotic Animal Husbandry

Year 2

• Animal Breeding & Genetics
• Investigative Research Project
• Practical Skills in Animal Science
• Animal Metabolism
• Aquatic Animal Health & Husbandry
• Farm Livestock Husbandry
• Zoological Animal Health & Husbandry
• Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Management

You will need:Four GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English Language, Maths and Science or an equivalent Level 2 qualification at Merit (and Functional Skills in English and Maths at Level 2/GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 4 or above)

All applicants must have an interview and assessment to confirm that the course is suitable for them.

Assessment is continuous throughout the year and takes place weekly. Final grades are awarded through completion of written assignments and projects as well as and performing practical work that is assessed internally within the college. There will also be 3 written examinations, assessed externally via Pearson, the BTEC awarding body.

1. Animal Welfare and Ethics
2. Animal Biology
3. Breeding and Genetics

School Leavers

If you will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31 August in the year you begin your course, and have been resident in the UK/EU/EEA for the past 3 years, it will be free. Some courses will have other costs associated, such as for materials and trips. Many of our students are eligible for financial support when studying at college – please click here for more information.

The Extended Diploma in Animal Management is designed for students wishing to follow careers that are suitable of higher education. For example veterinary nursing, ecologists, marine biologists, zoologists, animal behaviourists, animal conservationists, animal researchers, and even some veterinary related disciplines and pathways.