Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management

The Extended Diploma in Animal Management is aimed at both school leavers and those wishing to pursue a career within the animal care industry. This course is the equivalent to 3 A-levels and can be studied either at Bicton College or, for a limited number of students, within the truly inspirational setting of Dartmoor Zoological Park. This course provides a firm foundation in the broad range of skills required to make an immediate contribution in employment or to continue training at a higher level. You will study eighteen units over the two years of the programme.

Your Initial Assessment results should show that you are working at Level 2. You will also need to have achieved 4 GCSEs at grades A–C, including English, Maths and Science or equivalent.

If you are applying for the course based at Dartmoor Zoo, you will need to attend an interview with Bicton College and Dartmoor Zoo staff. These are held at Dartmoor Zoo in the evening, twice per year (please see our Events page for details).

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

• Animal anatomy and physiology
• Animal behaviour and communication
• Animal biology
• Animal nutrition
• Animal health
• Animal welfare and breed development
• Practical animal handling and safe working
• Practical animal feeding and accommodation
• Work experience (300 hours)
• Investigative project

Other units offered at Bicton:

• Farm livestock management
• Functional skills
• Horse care
• Zoological animal health and husbandry
• Animal nursing
• Aquatics management
• Biochemistry and microbiology
• Breeding and genetics
• Wildlife populations, ecology and conservation
• Estate skills
• Grooming parlour management
• Kennel and cattery management
• Exotic animal management
• Pet store management
• Wildlife populations, ecology and conservation
• Wildlife management and rehabilitation

Other units offered at Dartmoor Zoo

• Exotic animal management
• Business management
• Breeding and genetics
• Zoological animal health and husbandry
• Estate Skills
• Wildlife populations, ecology and conservation
• Environmental interpretation
• Wildlife management and rehabilitation

Functional Skills
You will also gain nationally recognised functional skills qualifications (English, Maths and ICT).

Successful students who wish to continue in education may progress to a Foundation Degree or Degree programme in a related subject area such as animal welfare, behaviour or zoology. Please see our University Level online course guide for more details.

Career opportunities would be available in a wide and diverse range of animal care related industries including zoological parks, wildlife parks, wildlife sanctuaries and welfare organisations.

How To Apply