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ANIMAL MANAGEMENT
ACADEMY OF ANIMAL, EQUINE AND VETERINARY NURSING
ANIMAL MANAGEMENT
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AMAZING FACILITIES
Crazy about animals? Take a walk on the wild side at our animal centre and zoo!
If you have a connection with animals or enjoy biological sciences, our Animal Management Centre is the place for you!
You’ll be based at our fantastic purpose built animal centre with its licensed teaching zoo and laboratories – facilities which are among the best in the UK. Even more exciting, you’ll have the chance to work with over 150 species including tapir, meerkats, lemurs, otters, birds of prey, reptiles, fish, amphibians and a range of companion and park animals.
Your classroom lectures will come to life as you carry out practical sessions with the animals in our collection, and you may have the opportunity to visit some of the UK’s leading zoos and wildlife parks, and possibly a study tour abroad. Our courses offer a great progression route into degree level study and, depending on your GCSE results, you may have the option to study a science pathway opening opportunities to study degrees in areas including veterinary medicine or animal science.
Whatever your interests, you’ll be encouraged to gain as much experience as possible and to explore the many exciting and varied careers on offer.
At a glance
Foundation Level 1 in Animal Care Level 2 Technical Certificate in Animal Care Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Animal Management Technical Baccalaureate in Animal Management Level 2 Animal Care and Welfare Apprenticeship
WHY STUDY ANIMAL MANAGEMENT AT REASEHEATH?
Our courses are industry focused and we have great industry links, so you’ll have lots of opportunities for research and work experience to make your CV stand out from the crowd. Become career ready by gaining useful tips and information from inspirational speakers and former students which can help you in your future career.
Receive great teaching and support from our tutors and keepers, who have a wealth of knowledge, industry experience and contact. Join student clubs and societies and make a difference on campus and out in the community through fundraising and conservation projects.
Work hands-on with our collection of over 1,000 mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds and fish or with dogs in our fast growing canine department. You may have the chance to enjoy amazing field programmes to wildlife hotspots such as Africa and South America and behind-thescenes visits to leading animal collections and zoos in Europe.
Where could your career take you?
Our courses are designed to help you become career ready so that you can secure your dream job in the future. The animal management sector offers an incredibly broad spectrum of jobs but all aim to make a difference to the health and wellbeing of pets, working animals, livestock and wildlife. Job satisfaction is virtually guaranteed!
You could work for an animal charity, international welfare organisation, scientific organisation, zoo, animal visitor attraction, sanctuary, veterinary practice or for one of the numerous animalrelated businesses in this country or abroad. With the correct qualifications you could also set up and run your own business.
Industry view
Lee Stewart
Centre Manager, RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery “Making a difference for animals is hugely rewarding and I feel very privileged to be working for the RSPCA. Although it can be tough mentally and physically, the end result is amazing. You get a real sense of satisfaction when you release an animal you’ve been caring for back into the wild, or you find a cat its loving forever home. “To succeed in the animal care sector you need qualifications, experience and above all passion. You must make the most out of every voluntary or placement opportunity, always give 110% and show you can listen, follow instructions, go the extra mile and be a team player.
“It’s a relatively small industry so try to build on your reputation. This will be important when you apply for jobs.” Here are a range of career suggestions: • Zoologist • Biologist or marine biologist • Research scientist or science writer • Veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurse • Veterinary technician • Veterinary receptionist • Conservationist • Animal behaviourist or animal nutritionist • Animal hydrotherapist • Zoo keeper or wildlife park keeper • Enclosure designer • Therapy dog trainer • Security / police dog trainer • Dog groomer or dog breeder • Dog walker / sitter • Rehabilitation centre manager • Welfare officer • Kennel or cattery manager • Public educator, lecturer or instructor • Pet shop manager or aquarium keeper
CAREER READY
Our Level 3 students complete an extended work placement to prepare for their future career!
Felix’s story
Felix Rowan-Young
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management BSc Zoo Management 2020 Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Liverpool John Moores University 2021 School: Bolton School Job title: Vice Chair of Youth Board, Chester Zoo “I enjoyed so many experiences and opportunities while I was at Reaseheath. I was encouraged to try different things and find out what interested me. “Helping to run the zoo school and its primary school tours made me think seriously about teaching or becoming a zoo educator, specialising in natural history and conservation. My practical experience with the college zoo collection will be a massive bonus.
“Being selected to join Chester Zoo’s Youth
Board was a great honour. We’re working with the Board of Trustees and executive team to shape the future of the zoo and strengthen its appeal to teenagers and young adults. Again, my lecturers supported my application – so I feel I owe them a lot.”
INDUSTRY FOCUSED
Did you know the animal care industry is worth £1 billion to the UK economy, with 13,000 businesses and 78,000 employees? Our Animal Management courses are industry focused thanks to our outstanding facilities, expert tutors and our great links with relevant employers, all of which will give you the skills and experience you need to succeed! Your Reaseheath Experience
Animal management is Reaseheath’s most popular department by far, with over 800 students from Key Stage 4 learners to undergraduates. But as everyone has a common interest in animals you’re sure to fit in well and quickly make friends. Our animal management students love to party, so you’ll be quickly introduced to our campus social and sporting calendar, and you’ll be encouraged to get involved with environmental projects in the community and to join fundraising events.
Once you’ve settled in you could be offered the chance to join one of our amazing field trips to a conservation experience in Africa, or on study tours to the best zoos, educational establishments and museums in Europe. Some students tell us these trips have been life-changing!
Amy’s story
Amy Bignall
Level 3 Technical Baccalaureate in Animal Management 2020 School: The Heath School, Runcorn Next step: Veterinary nursing apprenticeship Ambition: Specialist veterinary nurse “I’m an auxiliary nurse at Rose Cottage Veterinary Centre, Runcorn. It’s a mixed practice caring for small, farm and exotic animals so there’s a lot of variety.
“I did my work experience at the practice and was offered a part-time job alongside my studies. My duties include preparing tools for surgery and caring for the patients while they’re recovering. It’s very rewarding.
“A Reaseheath careers advisor advised me to try vet nursing because I like biology and science – and she was right! My course has lived up to expectations. I enjoy the academic side and the zoo and kennels are great facilities. I also went to Namibia on an amazing field trip, walking cheetahs and baboons and feeding carnivores.”
DID YOU KNOW? In 2019, there were almost 9,000 animal care jobs in the North West alone!
44% of UK households have a pet. There are around 51 million pets in the UK!
Benefit from our industry links
Thanks to our wide industry links we run an outstanding programme of inspirational speakers and seminars and behind the scenes visits to some of the country’s leading zoos and wildlife parks such as Chester Zoo and Edinburgh Zoo. We’ve had lectures from well known people such as influential conservationist Ian Redmond OBE.
Our careers event this year was attended by Cats Protection League, the RSPCA and local businesses including animal trainers and behaviourists. Our industry partners also have input into our courses, ensuring that you have the practical skills and knowledge that employers are looking for.
Where you’ll be studying
You’ll be based in our Animal Centre with its licensed zoo, outdoor and indoor enclosures and dedicated birds of prey, reptile, amphibian, fish and companion animal sections. We also have a dog grooming parlour, kennels and a dog training field.
Your classroom theory will come alive when you work with some of our many species and you’ll add to your practical skills during your work placement. You can join student clubs such as ‘Student Voice’, where members work on practical projects within the zoo, or you could volunteer to engage with the thousands of visitors who come to our zoo each year.
You can enjoy your breaks sitting in the sunshine by our lake, or you can take advantage of our well stocked library, quiet study areas and computer rooms for extra reading and study.
University study
Many of our animal management students enjoy their course with us so much that they choose to go on to study their degree at University Centre Reaseheath, to gain extra skills and experience for their future career. With degrees in animal behaviour and welfare, wildlife conservation and ecology, canine behaviour and training and zoo management, there’s plenty of choice! Depending on your GCSE Science grades, you could choose to study a science pathway in your second year
Our courses
As this is a highly competitive jobs market, it’s essential that you have recognised qualifications plus practical skills in animal handling and husbandry. Our courses deliver both theory and practical training and you’ll be encouraged to explore topics which interest you or compliment your studies.
As a diploma student you’ll start developing your scientific research skills – ideal if you are thinking of progressing onto a degree in science, biology or zoology.
Foundation Level 1 in Animal Care A great introduction to the animal care industry
Level 2 Technical Certificate in Animal Care Gain a good grounding and prepare for work or further learning
Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Animal Management The equivalent of 3 A Levels, this course gives you the skills and knowledge for a wide number of jobs or to progress onto a degree
Technical Baccalaureate in Animal Management For high achievers and worth 4.5 A Levels, you’ll study a range of science-based topics along with Level 3 maths and an industry project
Level 2 Animal Care and Welfare Apprenticeship Earn and learn at your workplace, guided by your employer and your college assessor
Discover our courses: reaseheath.ac.uk/animal-management
