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School Leavers > Animal Care and Management

Animal Management – Level 3 (540)

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Hannah Robathan training pigs 730x425
Courses Code
QF3AN540
Study method
Full Time
Location(s)
Rodbaston
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  • Is this course for you?

    This course is for students who are interested in developing the specific technical and professional skills and knowledge that will lead to meaningful employment in the animal care industry. You will explore a wide range of industry areas including animal care and management, zoos, wildlife and applied science.

    Equal to three A-Levels.

    In the 2nd year of the course, you can select 1 of 2 pathways. You can select Zoo or Domestic routes to better suit your interests and career aspirations.

  • Required qualifications

    You will need to have a minimum of four GCSE grade at 4 or above with ideally maths and/or English and a science. Or you will have already gained a Level 2 qualification in Animal Care.

  • What skills will I develop?

    This qualification gives you the opportunity to gain a range of specialist practical skills and knowledge that builds upon your knowledge of animals. You will study how to work safely around animals, be responsible for the planning and carrying out animal husbandry, health, handling, feeding and nutrition.

    You will also learn about animal behaviour, animal breeds and welfare and animal biology. You can then learn further specialist skills such as caring for exotics, birds or fish, or skills for working in a kennels and cattery or a pet store in your second year.

    Please see below for a full list of the animal-related modules you will complete over the two years of the course:

    First Year (540) Second Year (1080) – Zoo Pathway Second Year (1080) – Animal Pathway
    Principles of Health and Safety Aquatics Welfare and Breed Development Wildlife and Ecology Conservation
    Undertake and review work related experience in the land-based industries Avian Health and Husbandry Pet Store Design and Management
    Animal Health and Husbandry Zoological Collections Animal Nursing
    Animal Feeding and Nutrition Business management in the land based sector Kennel and Cattery Management
    Animal Behaviour and Communication Estate Skills Estate Skills
    Biological Systems of Animals Customer Care and Retail Merchandising Business management in the land based sector
    Animal Welfare and Breeding Undertake a specialist project in the land based sector Undertake a specialist project in the land based sector
    Exotic Animal Health and Husbandry Wildlife and Ecology Conservation Aviation Health and Husbandry
    Pet Allied Services Inheritance and Genetics Wildlife Management and Rehabilitation
    Small Animal Rehabilitation Environmental interpretation in the Land-based sector –

  • Careers

    This qualification will allow you to progress onto the Level 3 Technical Extended Diploma in Animal Management to extend your studies into a second year. You could then progress into Higher Education on a range of animal, conservation and science based courses. The qualification can also lead to employment in a range of animal care settings including:

    • Animal centre assistant

    • Kennel and cattery worker/supervisor

    • Animal hospital care assistant

    • Apprentice in an animal care business

    • Pet store assistant

  • Work experience

    You will be required to complete a minimum of 150 hours of relevant work experience during your course of study, this should be in an animal setting. You will then produce a review of your work experience with input from the employer as part of a module on your course.

  • English and maths

    English and maths skills will be continually developed through the study programme and are an important aspect of being successful within the Animal Care sector.

  • Other important information

    Practical teaching and assessment will take place on our on-site zoo. To take part in these lessons you will need to be equipped with the correct PPE, which comprises of overalls/boiler suit and safety boots with a steel toe cap. All jewellery including piercings will need to be removed before you can take part in practical lessons for your own safety and the safety of the animals.

    There will be a range of trips and visiting speakers throughout the year including the opportunity to attend a study tour. Previous cohorts have visited Florida and the Netherlands.

  • Is this course for you?

    This course is for students who are interested in developing the specific technical and professional skills and knowledge that will lead to meaningful employment in the animal care industry. You will explore a wide range of industry areas including animal care and management, zoos, wildlife and applied science.

    Equal to three A-Levels.

    In the 2nd year of the course, you can select 1 of 2 pathways. You can select Zoo or Domestic routes to better suit your interests and career aspirations.

  • Required qualifications

    You will need to have a minimum of four GCSE grade at 4 or above with ideally maths and/or English and a science. Or you will have already gained a Level 2 qualification in Animal Care.

  • What skills will I develop?

    This qualification gives you the opportunity to gain a range of specialist practical skills and knowledge that builds upon your knowledge of animals. You will study how to work safely around animals, be responsible for the planning and carrying out animal husbandry, health, handling, feeding and nutrition.

    You will also learn about animal behaviour, animal breeds and welfare and animal biology. You can then learn further specialist skills such as caring for exotics, birds or fish, or skills for working in a kennels and cattery or a pet store in your second year.

    Please see below for a full list of the animal-related modules you will complete over the two years of the course:

    First Year (540) Second Year (1080) – Zoo Pathway Second Year (1080) – Animal Pathway
    Principles of Health and Safety Aquatics Welfare and Breed Development Wildlife and Ecology Conservation
    Undertake and review work related experience in the land-based industries Avian Health and Husbandry Pet Store Design and Management
    Animal Health and Husbandry Zoological Collections Animal Nursing
    Animal Feeding and Nutrition Business management in the land based sector Kennel and Cattery Management
    Animal Behaviour and Communication Estate Skills Estate Skills
    Biological Systems of Animals Customer Care and Retail Merchandising Business management in the land based sector
    Animal Welfare and Breeding Undertake a specialist project in the land based sector Undertake a specialist project in the land based sector
    Exotic Animal Health and Husbandry Wildlife and Ecology Conservation Aviation Health and Husbandry
    Pet Allied Services Inheritance and Genetics Wildlife Management and Rehabilitation
    Small Animal Rehabilitation Environmental interpretation in the Land-based sector –

  • Careers

    This qualification will allow you to progress onto the Level 3 Technical Extended Diploma in Animal Management to extend your studies into a second year. You could then progress into Higher Education on a range of animal, conservation and science based courses. The qualification can also lead to employment in a range of animal care settings including:

    • Animal centre assistant

    • Kennel and cattery worker/supervisor

    • Animal hospital care assistant

    • Apprentice in an animal care business

    • Pet store assistant

  • Work experience

    You will be required to complete a minimum of 150 hours of relevant work experience during your course of study, this should be in an animal setting. You will then produce a review of your work experience with input from the employer as part of a module on your course.

  • English and maths

    English and maths skills will be continually developed through the study programme and are an important aspect of being successful within the Animal Care sector.

  • Other important information

    Practical teaching and assessment will take place on our on-site zoo. To take part in these lessons you will need to be equipped with the correct PPE, which comprises of overalls/boiler suit and safety boots with a steel toe cap. All jewellery including piercings will need to be removed before you can take part in practical lessons for your own safety and the safety of the animals.

    There will be a range of trips and visiting speakers throughout the year including the opportunity to attend a study tour. Previous cohorts have visited Florida and the Netherlands.

Testimonials

Photo of student Emily Radford holding duck

“Animal Management has shown me many opportunities and helped me grow as a person to enhance my passion. This course has shown me what the animal industry will be like. Rodbaston has helped me work closely with many domestic and exotic animals and provided me with knowledge and hands on practical sessions with the animals I have begun to love.”

Emily Radford

Former Level 3 Animal Management Student

Photo of student Grace Easthope

“During my time at South Staffordshire College, I’ve had the best two years I could have imagined and made great memories and new friends that will last a lifetime. I never would have imagined I would have achieved 3 A’s but I’m so happy my hard work has paid off. My next step is to volunteer abroad and do conservation as I thoroughly enjoyed the South Africa trip I managed to experience through college.”

Grace Easthope

Former Level 3 Animal Management Student

Photo of student Hannah Oliver with dog

“I have now completed my Level 3 Animal Management Course. This course has been an amazing experience that has given me the opportunity to make some incredible friends and gain practical experience working with animals. With the help of my wonderful tutor and lecturers I will be attending Harper Adams University in September to do Animal Production Science.”

Hannah Oliver

Former Level 3 Animal Management Student

Photo of student Hannah Robathan training two pigs

“This course has allowed me to gain the key skills I need to work in the industry as well as secure a place at my top choice of university going to study Wildlife Conservation Biology. Whilst studying I completed work experience at Drayton Manor Zoo gaining industry standard skills needed.”

Hannah Robathan

Former Level 3 Animal Management Student

Photo of student Lily Kennedy holding a rodent

“I’m really excited to get more hands on with the animals in year 2 as well as diving deeper into the course topics. I loved year 1 so much as it really gave me the opportunity and confidence to pursue what I love. After Rodbaston I would love to go into vet nursing or veterinary bioscience.”

Lily Kennedy

Level 3 Year 2 Animal Management Student

Photo of student Milli Price holding a tarantula

“My time at Rodbaston was amazing through and through and I wouldn’t have picked anywhere else to do the wonderful course I was lucky enough to be on. Rodbaston shaped who I am today, and I will be forever grateful to all the brilliant staff who helped me achieve my dreams 🙂 I am going on to study Herpetology at Bangor University in Wales to one day go into teaching, in hopes I too can put in the same work that my teachers did for me.”

Milli Price

Former Level 3 Animal Management Student

Photo of student Phoebe Yates holding a rabbit

“My first year in Rodbaston College has been packed with the most fulfilling and joyous experiences I’ve ever had in education. I have connected with a variety of people my age with the same interests as me, and my eyes have been opened to so much knowledge and experience on what I am most passionate about; I am sure will stick with me forever. In just a year, I have created so many memories, and look forward to broadening my knowledge and experience in my second year of college. In the future, I look forward to continuing my education in university, where I will meet new people and climb closer to my desired career in wildlife conservation and ecology. I couldn’t be happier with my decision to enrol in this college.”

Phoebe Yates

Level 3 Year 2 Animal Management Student

Photograph of Tyler Benton

“The course helps me understand how animals work and what the animal industry is going to be like. I am enjoying it because I know this is what I am going to do in the future when I leave college. I am enjoying practical so I can get hands on with the animals and learn things that I have not learned before.”

Tyler Benton

Level 3 Year 2 Animal Management Student

Faith Thomas 380x380

“I first enrolled onto the Animal Management level 3 course as it was recommended to me by my careers advisor. If offered a broad spectrum of both practical and theoretical knowledge around all types of animals, which was great for me because I wanted to keep my career options open.”

Faith Thomas

Former Level 3 Animal Management Student

Freya Hill 380x380

“Working within an environment with both staff and students who have the same aspirations as me was an amazing experience. The teaching staff throughout both years were not only extremely knowledgeable within their subject areas, but also kind and supportive to guide me towards my future career.”

Freya Hill

Former Level 3 Animal Management Student

Shaun Pursall

“I have enjoyed learning more about the natural world and its inhabitants. I have gained knowledge of why health and welfare is so important and I feel grateful to have been provided such an amazing learning experience. I'm very excited about progressing through my second year of animal management.”

Shaun Pursall

Former Level 3 Animal Management Student

Apply for a course

  • Animal Care Diploma L3 (540) Yr 1 of 1 (LE3)

    Rodbaston College

    Start Date: September

    Code: QRF3AN540-Y1

    Full Time: 35 Weeks

    Day(s): Usually 3-4 days per week

    Apply
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