Program Overview

FD (Science) Zoo Animal Management and Conservation

Overview

This course is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and understanding required to work in the zoo animal management and conservation sector.

Course Details

• Award: FD (Science)
• Start date: 15 September 2025
• UCAS Code: DF05
• Course length: Full-time (2 years)
• Campus location: South Staffordshire College Rodbaston Campus
• School: School of Life Sciences

Course Modules

Year 1

• Academic and Industry Skills Development (4AB028, 20 credits, Period 1, Core)
  • This module aims to develop students' study skills to increase confidence in their ability to structure assignments and write in the academic style.
• Animal Diversity and Evolution (4AB030, 20 credits, Period 1, Core)
  • This module is designed to equip students with a broader concept of the diversity found within the animal kingdom and the scientific theories as to how it came to be.
• Animal Health and Husbandry (4AB027, 40 credits, Period 1, Core)
  • This module will enable students to work practically with a large range of large, domestic, and exotic species on the well-stocked licensed zoo/animal unit.
• Enclosure Design and Environmental Conservation (5AB038, 20 credits, Period 1, Core)
  • This module will develop students' design appraisal skills of animal enclosures using behavioral, nutritional, and physiological principles.
• Professional Skills Development (5AB036, 20 credits, Period 1, Core)
  • This module allows students to develop knowledge of the workplace, including health and safety legislation and employer/employee responsibilities.
• Scientific Skills and Independent Project (5AB035, 20 credits, Period 1, Core)
  • This module will provide students with the opportunity to carry out an investigation that is of relevance or interest to the zoological and or conservation sector.
• Wildlife Conservation and Ecology (4AB031, 20 credits, Period 1, Core)
  • In a world where the pressures of an ever-increasing human population are impacting the environment in ever more obvious ways, an ability to monitor, understand, slow, and perhaps even reverse the issues we are facing has become essential.
• Zoo Animal Behaviour and Enrichment (4AB029, 20 credits, Period 1, Core)
  • This module is designed to provide students with an understanding of animal behavior and its application in animal management.
• Zoo Animal Management (5AB034, 40 credits, Period 1, Core)
  • Through studying this module, students will build on the professional practical skills developed at Level 4, focusing on zoo husbandry routines, diet formulation, and health-related practices.
• Zoo Animal Welfare and Conservation (5AB037, 20 credits, Period 1, Core)
  • This module focuses on the chronological progression of animal collections within the UK and the evolution of modern zoo practice in accordance with current and future sociological changes and challenges beyond the 21st century.

Course Fees and Finance

Entry Requirements

• Key entry Requirements: 64 UCAS points
• Either:
  • A Levels with a minimum grade CC including a Biological Science
  • BTEC Extended Diploma grade MPP, BTEC Diploma grade MM in a related subject area
  • Access to HE Diploma (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 (64 UCAS point equivalence, minimum 45 credits at merit) in a related subject
  • T-Levels in a related subject area - grade P (grade D or E within Core)
  • Mature students (21 years and over) who can evidence a satisfactory work experience portfolio would be favorably considered.
• Plus:
  • Five GCSEs at grade 4 / C+ including English Language, Mathematics, and Science

Funding

• Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status): Most students will be able to apply for loans to pay for these subject to eligibility.
• Changes for EU students: The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status.
• Self-funding: If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by installments.
• Your employer, embassy, or organization can pay for your Tuition fees: If your employer, embassy, or organization agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees, the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.