Animal Management Diploma

Course information

Our Level 3 Animal Management Diploma at Bicton College offers you the choice of university study or employment on successful completion of your course. There are one and two year options available with this pathway and we will work with you to decide which is best for you.

This is a two-year course but you will need to pass the first year in order to progress onto the second.

Caring for animals can be an extremely fulfilling and rewarding career. From working in kennels and catteries to pet shops, rescue centres or sanctuaries, there is a wide range of careers available on successful completion of your course. With access to an array of animal collections on campus you will gain the practical training you need to pursue a career in this exciting industry. Our state of the art animal husbandry school at Bicton College provides dedicated access to a huge range of animal species such as our monitor lizard, coatis and lemurs.

What You Will Learn

Over the 2 years you will study a range of subjects which may include:

Animal behaviour and communication
Animal biology
Animal feeding and nutrition
Animal health and husbandry
Animal welfare and breed development
Work experience (150 hours)
Specialist project

Other units offered at Bicton:
Zoological animal health and husbandry
Animal nursing
Aquatics management
Estate skills
Kennel and cattery management
Exotic animal management
Pet store management
Wildlife populations, ecology and conservation
Wildlife management and rehabilitation
Avian management
Business management

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for external applicants and school leavers
• Four or more GCSEs at Grade 4 or above including English and/or Maths, or successful completion of a relevant Level 2 qualification.
• Functional Skills Level 2 in English and/or Maths will be considered as alternatives to GCSE, but a GCSE resit may be required depending on grade.

Entry requirements for existing learners with the Cornwall College Group
• Successful completion of previous course and maths and/or English at GCSE Grade 4 or Functional Skills Level 2.

Five GCSEs at grade C or 4, including English, maths and science.

Work Experience

As part of your course you will be required to carry out Work Experience and/or an Industry Placement. In your first year you will be undertaking 150 of work experience, while in your second year you will be undertaking 350 hours of work experience.

Assessment

You will be assessed through synoptic assignment and exam alongside coursework.

Progression

Employment or university study such as our FdSc Animal Health & Management, FdSc Animal Behaviour & Psychology, FdSc Animal Husbandry & Welfare, FdSc Zoological Conservation or BSc (Hons) Applied Zoology & Conservation.

Careers in this industry:
Zookeeper
Animal Care Assistant
Dog Groomer
Animal trainer/behaviourist
Dog warden
Pet shop assistant

Bicton College

Bicton College

Bicton College is based in East Devon, near Exeter, and set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, just two miles from the Jurassic Coast. The historic Georgian mansion, commercial farm, animal husbandry school, modern veterinary nursing building, world-class engineering and heavy plant machinery workshop, walled garden and arboretum are all set in over 200 hectares of historic parkland.

Find out more about our Bicton campus

Events

Open Event

Bicton College

Open Event at Bicton College

• 18 Jan 25
• 26 Apr 25

Bicton College

Practical Workshop – VetSkill Observed Structured Clinical Examination

• 13 Feb 25
• 8 May 25