Animal Management (Behaviour and Welfare)

Do you want to explore a career with captive domestic or exotic animals that aspires to the highest standards of welfare and behavioural diversity, but without the commitment of a full degree?

Students studying this one-year full-time course have regular access to the zoo-licensed animal centre facilities at University Centre Reaseheath, which boasts a range of exotic zoo species, in addition to domestic species. Additionally, you can expect an interactive and personable learning experience that draws upon the expertise of our team of industry experienced staff.

As part of this course, you will develop a range of academic and professional skills, related to the behaviour and welfare of captive animals. Through practical husbandry sessions, ethical debates and behavioural observations, you will gain an appreciation for the goals and challenges of managing animals in a captive environment. This knowledge can be applied to a diversity of careers, with transferable skills working with animals in large or small-scale collections. You can also use this course as a stepping stone to a Foundation Degree in Animal Management (Behaviour and Welfare), through the completion of another year of study.

Course Features

• Ethical debates on animal welfare, including guest speakers from a range of backgrounds

• Practical lab sessions for anatomy and physiology

• Opportunities to specialise in domestic or exotic species

• Access to our on-site zoo, home to over 1,000 animals and 150 species including ring-tailed lemurs, porcupines, marmosets, otters, capybaras, owls, bearded dragons, kingsnakes, dart frogs, marine fish and much more

Career Options

• Animal welfare officers

• Animal behaviourists

• Rescue centre animal care

• Zoo-based husbandry and research

• Progress to Foundation Degree in Animal Management (Behaviour and Welfare)

Students are expected to study and complete 120 credits which comprises six mandatory modules of study:

• Introduction to Scientific Communication
• Animal Husbandry and Handling
• Animal Welfare Issues
• Animal Anatomy and Physiology
• Evolution and Adaptation
• Introduction to Animal Behaviour

Assessments are designed to encourage both academic skills and skills valued in the workplace. They include a combination of coursework and time-restrained assessments.

Coursework may take many forms including essays, reports, data processing, presentations, academic posters, seminar discussions, interviews, critical reviews, portfolios of evidence and practical competency assessments. The timed online assessments vary, depending on the nature of the module, but may take the form of multiple-choice papers, essays, practical assessments, data handling questions and short answer quizzes.