Animal Management and Applied Science

What makes UCS special?
Our staff and graduates are highly regarded by industry. The lecturers’ experience, knowledge and industry links can give you the head start you need. We are an accredited member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and work closely with them. We have also worked with the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) on a funded project to define a competence framework for zoo keepers, which is at the heart of our National Zoo Academy. Sparsholt is the hub for the industry recognised professional zookeeper qualification, the DMZAA (Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals).Our lecturers bring their expertise to your learning from their work with world‑leading zoos and nationally‑recognised organisations. They also advise research committees, welfare groups and awarding bodies within the industry. We have strong links with a range of wildlife, conservation and commercial organisations, allowing you to access work placements and to carry out industry relevant research that can feed into your career.

What Makes This Course Unique? Exceptional facilities, industry connections, and immersive learning environment:
Our living collection – use our extensive facilities to carry out innovative research as part of your course on a wide range of industry‑led research projects including behavioural studies, animal dietary analysis, cognitive and human‑animal interactions research. In addition to the 600 plus animals in our BIAZA‑accredited Animal Health and Welfare Research Centre, our state‑of‑the‑art kennels are licensed for up to 40 dogs on a day care or full board basis, our cattery provides an ideal opportunity to conduct feline behaviour and welfare research and the 126‑hectare working farm on campus includes dairy cattle, sheep and pigs, providing endless opportunities for hands‑on learning and research. With almost 50 years of expertise behind this course, we are well‑established in animal management education, supported by strong partnerships with local and national employers.

What will I learn?
You will gain a deep understanding of animal welfare and behaviour, the animal industry and wildlife management. Topics such as animal nutrition, health and behaviour are paired with practical skills such as laboratory techniques and current industry IT software.

Practical learning to ensure you graduate with career confidence:

• Take part in laboratory analysis and dissections

• Learn safe working practices with animals

• Conduct wildlife and aquatic life surveys

• Contribute to live research projects, such as goat animal interactions, canine communication comprehension and feline cognition.

How will I be assessed?
Our assessments mirror the challenges you will face in your career, combining academic depth with practical application:

• Research projects that address real‑world animal science conundrums

• Field‑based assignments allow you to showcase your skills to employers

• A range of presentation types, written assignments and assessments that develop key graduate skills such as communication expertise.

Focused on Your Future:
This foundation degree opens doors to diverse career paths in a rapidly growing sector, such as laboratory technicians; ecologists; companion animal industries such as Dogs Trust and Cats Protection; educator; policy adviser. You can also progress onto the BSc (Hons) Applied Animal Behaviour, BSc (Hons) Applied Animal Science or BSc (Hons) Zoo Biology Top‑up courses at University Centre Sparsholt or other organisations.

How our graduates are shaping the future:

Working in a range of industries such as animal charities, veterinary practices and zoological collections.

Course Modules*

YEAR ONE – SOLID FOUNDATIONS

• Biological systems

• Animal industry skills

• Foundations of evolutionary science

• Animal husbandry and welfare

YEAR TWO – GET JOB‑READY

• Animal health & nutrition Behaviour, ethics & welfare

• Population & conservation biology

• Research methods in animal collections (AIR)

*subject to change

Much of the assessment is coursework based – essays, reports, practical portfolios and seminar presentations. Practical activities, in-class assessments and a limited number of exams also play a part.