Animal Management (Behaviour and Welfare) (Top-Up)

Do you want to explore a career with captive domestic or exotic animals that aspires to the highest standards of welfare and behavioural diversity?

As a student on the course, you will 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 a greater appreciation for the goals and challenges of managing animals in a captive situation. This knowledge can be applied to a range of careers, with transferable skills working with animals in large- or small-scale collections.

Course Features

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

• Opportunities to specialise in domestic or exotic species

• Campus zoo, home to over 1,000 animals and 125 species including ring-tailed lemurs, porcupines, raccoon dogs, otters, tapir, capybaras, owls, hawks, bearded dragons, kingsnakes, dart frogs, marine fish and much more

• Opportunity to engage in overseas field courses to a range of localities in Africa and Europe

Career Options

• Animal welfare officers

• Animal behaviourists

• Animal therapy and rehabilitation

• Rescue centre animal care

• Scientific research

• Zoo-based husbandry and research

Dissertation†
Animal Cognition
Animal Rehabilitation Therapies
Animal Parasitology*
Conservation Education*
Behavioural Enrichment & Training*
Anthrozoology*

• Denotes optional modules
  † Dissertation is a double-weighted module, worth 40 credits. Only five modules are selected for study on this programme

A wide variety of assessment methods are used in this programme. These are designed to develop a range of industry relevant skills and knowledge. The dissertation is assessed through a written proposal and scientific article which represents the research carried out by the student. Other assessments include a microteach for Conservation Education, reports and case studies, seminars and an assessed workshop for Behavioural Enrichment.