UCAS Entry Points
A minimum of 64 UCAS points
Start Date
September 2021
September 2022
Course Length
Full-time: 2 years, including an 8 week work placement
The course features:
- British & Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Zoo
- Purpose-built animal management training centre with £3 million upgrade, housing over 1,000 animals and 125 species including:
- Mammals: serval, tapirs, ring-tailed lemurs, porcupines, tamarins, otters, capybara, meerkats and wallabies, among others
- Birds: owls, hawks, ducks, finches, parrots, and budgerigars
- Reptiles: snakes, bearded dragons, tortoises and turtles
- Amphibians: dart frogs, tree frogs and newts
- Fish: a range of freshwater and marine fish
- Invertebrates: tarantulas, beetles and millipedes
- Students will have the opportunity to engage in overseas field courses to a range of localities including southern Africa, South America and Europe.
The course can be followed by the one year BSc (Hons) Animal Management top-up to gain a full honours degree. This will allow you to work with lecturing staff on relevant unique research projects.
What will I study?
This course is aimed at students who wish to develop a career within the animal management industry. Students are provided with a combination of academic study with practical learning opportunities to develop a range of academic and professional skills specific to animal behavior and welfare science, with knowledge of both domesticated and exotic captive animal management.
As a student studying animal management, you will have regular access to the zoo-licensed animal centre, kennel and farm facilities at University Centre Reaseheath, which boasts a range of both domestic and archetypal zoo species.
Additionally, students can expect an interactive and personable learning experience that draws upon the expertise of our team of dedicated staff, with whom students can engage in study through the use of our first class facilities on campus, but also via overseas study opportunities.
Students are expected to study and complete 120 credits per year, which comprises six modules of study per academic level/year. All modules in year 1 are mandatory study, to ensure students come away with the fundamental skills and knowledge required to progress onto further study. Conversely, students will have the opportunity to select for certain optional modules in year 2, to allow for more specific disciplines/subject pathways to be developed.
In Year 1 (Level 4), you will develop essential knowledge and skills in animal husbandry & handling, animal biology, principles of disease, and animal welfare science. A heavy emphasis at Level 4 study will also be placed on the development of academic skills via regular tutoring with an assigned course manager.
Year 2 (Level 5) sees a shift in emphasis towards more industry-specific skills and research-informed knowledge, including themes in nutrition, behavioural applications, domestic or exotic animal welfare and management. A two to five week (equivalent) work placement/industry engagement* or field course is also included as part of the programme, either within the UK or overseas.
Modules include:
Level 4
- Scientific Data Collection and Analysis
- Animal Husbandry and Handling
- Animal Welfare Issues
- Animal Anatomy and Physiology
- Evolution and Adaptation
- Introduction to Animal Behaviour
Level 5
Level 6
Optional Modules
Teaching and Learning
Assessment and Feedback
Course Information
*Travel arrangements at your own cost.
Entry requirements
-
a minimum of 64 tariff points from A and AS levels to include Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology or Applied Science.
- Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) – a minimum of grade MPP in an Animal or Science related subject.
- Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) – a minimum of grade MM in and Animal or Science related subject.
- City & Guilds Level 3 Technical Advanced Extended Diploma (1080 – first awarded in 2019) – a minimum of grade MPP in an Animal or Science related subject.
- City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma (720 – first awarded in 2019) – a minimum of grade MM in an Animal or Science related subject.
Further study
- One year top-up route to BSc (Hons) Animal Management (Behaviour & Welfare)
Career Options
- Animal management
- Animal behaviour
- Rescue centre animal care
- Scientific research
- Animal welfare
- Zoo keeping
Useful Information
How much will this course cost?
Tuition Fees
As a Higher Education student you will have two main costs to meet; your tuition fees and living costs.
Our full-time tuition fees for UK and EU students, entering University, can be found on the student finance page. These fees are charged for each academic year of a course and are set by the college annually.
If you are an international student or for the latest information on tuition fees visit the student finance page on our website.
Additional Costs
Additional costs may include the purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in order to undertake practical activities on the zoo, farm and other facilities. These should include at least one pair of overalls (preferably blue/green) and a pair of steel toe-capped work boots/wellington boots. Additionally, students may wish to purchase other suitable outdoor wear in preparation for bad weather (i.e. waterproof/ windproof coat). A white lab coat and safety glasses may be required for laboratory sessions. The above items can be purchased either independently or through the College online shop. Please note that the purchasing of the above equipment should be undertaken in advance of enrolment onto the programme, as practical sessions may be facilitated from the start of the programme.
Students will be offered the chance to engage in both domestic and overseas learning opportunities with which to enhance their classroom-based learning experience. Here, students will have the option to undertake overseas study in Year 2 as part of an experiential field course. These may include opportunities to study zoological collections in Europe, but also undertaking conservation field courses in such locations as Southern Africa, South America and the UK.
The main emphasis placed on these field courses is the development of professional, industry relevant skills and the application of students’ knowledge in a novel, stimulating, yet challenging environment. Costs associated with the field courses range from £500 – £1000 (UK & Europe), and between £2,200 – £2,800 (South America & Southern Africa). Please note that precise pricing of all field courses is subject to change, pending availability and recruitment.
Students may also wish to purchase their own personal copies of recommended set-texts to assist them with their studies. A full list of recommended text’s is made available prior to enrolment, however, our campus library boasts sufficient stocks of all major texts to support student learning, frequently in e-book format, and the purchasing of texts is therefore not enforced.
Equipment Costs
- Boiler suit: £20-£30 OR UCR Polo shirt (£12)/UCR Sweatshirt (£16) + work trousers (£15-£20)
- Steel toe capped boots: from £30
- Lab coat: £13-£20
- USB drive: from £5
Prices of equipment are subject to change dependent on retailer.
Additional financial support
Accommodation
Student support
How do I apply?
Student contract
Being a Reaseheath student definitely played an integral part in building my passion for aquatic life and furthering my career.
Jack Wootton Foundation Degree in Animal Management (Behaviour and Welfare)
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University Centre Reaseheath – Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 6DF
Tel: 01270 613284 | Email: UCR@reaseheath.ac.uk
