Zoological Management and Conservation

SGS College is partnered with Bristol Zoological Society (BZS), and Bristol Zoo Project is our campus. Our students study in the grounds of the Zoo, which really brings our course to life! We work in collaboration with BZS’s HE & Conservation Science Department, with BZS staff forming a key part of our teaching team. You will learn from staff working actively in the field, managing projects across 15 countries around the world. In addition, our SGS teaching team are all from specialist industry backgrounds, including zoos, wildlife ecology and conservation, communication and education. All this specialism is woven into the day-to-day delivery of the modules.

You will learn through a variety of lectures, workshops, practical sessions, field-site visits and study trips, including residential UK and International options. You will also experience talks by visiting guest speakers, staff from other BZS departments, such as keepers and vets, and online talks, live from experts around the world.

Your assessments will cover the core elements of each module through a range of methods, including written course work, assessed presentations, portfolio building, practical book completion, management plan development and research projects. You will also have the opportunity to participate in a student conference, and there is one exam, at Level 4 only.

Core practical skills for working in the zoo and wildlife industry are learned during your work experience placements; a key element of Level 4 (Cert HE) Zoological Management and Conservation. You will focus on developing real-world, applicable skills that link theory to practice, and will enhance your future employment opportunities. You can leave after a year with a Certificate of Higher Education Zoological Management and Conservation or progress to year 2 of FdSc Zoological Management and Conservation.

If you continue on with the Level 6 top-up year, you will further develop your knowledge and experience of zoological management and conservation, along with effective methods of communication for conservation. You will develop a deeper understanding of the role of zoos and aquariums in conservation and the One Plan Approach. In addition, taxa specific modules will provide you with extensive knowledge of managing a diverse range of species for conservation, with a focus on conservation case studies.

Part time routes are available. For more information, please email HEadmissions@sgscol.ac.uk

Graduate Opportunities:
• Animal Keeper
• Nutritionist
• Behaviourist
• Animal Trainer
• Education officer
• Rare breed farms
• Veterinary nursing – with the addition of further training to become qualified.
• Wildlife rehabilitation
• Aquarist
• Conservationist – working with native species or abroad
• Field Research
• Laboratory Research
• Visitor Experience

Level 4 Modules
Professional Industry Skills
Biology of Animals
Zoo Animal Welfare, Health and Husbandry
Animal Behaviour Studies
Taxonomy and Biological Identification
Zoos and Aquariums in Society

Level 5 Modules
Industry Experience
Zoo Nutrition
Enclosure Design and Enrichment
Reproduction and Population Management
Applied Zoo Animal Behaviour
Research Methods and Design

Coursework, Presentations, Exams

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Course does not award QTS