Course Overview
Animal management has been an integral part of Nescot for the last 40 years and a FD Animal Management programme has been delivered since 2017.
This course is designed for students who are looking to enhance their academic and practical skills within an animal setting. The programme incorporates the development of practical skills from industry leading laboratory skills for animal management, including faecal egg counts and bacterial cultures, to the development of supervisory skills on our 12-acre Animal Care Unit. Specialist units include anthrozoology, animal behaviour, and ecology. In the second year, students are also required to devise and implement their own animal related research project.
Previous students have become zoo keepers, animal ethologists, animal trainers, animal technicians, wildlife rehabilitators and business owners.
This award is validated by The Open University.
Entry Requirements
Traditional Entry Route:
- City & Guilds Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Animal Management: MPP.
- A-Levels or equivalent in relevant subjects will also be considered with a minimum of 64 UCAS points.
- Evidence of level 2 Literacy is required, for example key skills or functional skills at level 2 or GCSE English language at Grade C/4 or above. If applicants do not have evidence of Literacy at level 2, it will be necessary to complete a piece of writing to demonstrate competence in written English.
Other entry routes:
We will consider a range of alternative qualifications or experience that is equivalent to the typical offer. We actively welcome applications from mature students from a variety of backgrounds. Candidates who may not have the typical entry criteria may be required to complete a comprehension based activity which assesses their suitability for the course.
In addition to the above, a professional or academic reference is required to evidence suitability for the course.
Other Requirements:
The selection process involves an interview at Nescot. It would also be desirable for applicants to have some experience working with animals.
Applications from international students with equivalent qualifications are welcome. Normally a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 with minimum of 5.5 in any component, or equivalent is required for those for whom English is not their first language.
What the course covers
Students will gain practical experience as well as developing their academic capabilities, thus opening more doors and opportunities within their career pathway. The emphasis is on hands-on professionalism in the management of animals. For example, students take part in every aspect of the lambing season in spring, including having the opportunity to join our team’s 24/7 rota of animal care and supervision.
Animal welfare is central to every module.
Modules being presented are as follows but maybe subject to changes.
Year 1
- Research Skills
- Laboratory Skills
- Mammalian Anatomy and Physiology
- Collections Management
- Industry Skills Development
Year 2
- Industry Project
- Animal Welfare
- Animal Behaviour
- Ecology
- Anthrozoology
During the first year of study you will be required to undertake work-based learning which includes 150 hours of work experience. This is to help develop your practical transferable skills as well as to build upon your industry experience. Please refer to the course specification below for further guidance.
Teaching and learning will take place at Nescot College, where the Land-based department spans two-thirds of the campus. The facilities are an oasis of calm nestled within the vibrant suburban surroundings of Ewell, which has excellent transport links. Ewell East train station is a short walk from the campus and travel time to London Victoria is around 40 minutes.
The animal care unit is home to a wide range of species, including livestock animals such as sheep and poultry; domestic pet species such as rabbits and rodents; and captive exotic species including reptiles and amphibians. The collection contains over 400 individuals ranging from mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. This will allow students to develop the practical skills necessary to successfully enter the animal and land-based industry across the range of taxa commonly kept in captive animal collections or as companion animals.
Priest Hill, Surrey Wildlife Trust’s 35-hectare restored chalk grassland, is easily accessed by a bridle path directly from Nescot College. Priest Hill is an important reserve in terms of the Living Landscape and provides excellent hands-on outdoor learning experiences for students. In addition, the College is home to a rehoming cattery run in partnership with Cats Protection animal charity. In addition, the College has functional links with Chessington Zoo and Aquarium, which is only four miles away.
We anticipate fewer than 25 per class. Previous class sizes have varied between 10-18 students. We expect students to complete independent study and assessments within their independent guided learning hours for each module.
Students will also have the opportunity to take part in an additional six-week short course, aligned with the Raptor Awards standards and delivered in partnership with Willows Bird of Prey Centre. This course is not widely offered at colleges and universities.
This specialist course introduces students to the unique field of bird of prey management, with modules covering raptor husbandry, safe handling techniques, flying birds of prey, relevant legislation, and other key aspects of falconry and raptor care.
The course provides valuable hands-on experience and insight into this specialist sector of animal management, helping students broaden their practical skills and knowledge. Please note that this short course includes an additional course cost.
Watch a short presentation about the course below:
The Open University Regulations for Validated Awards
Fees and funding
Fees for Academic Year 2026/27
Annual Fees: £8,200 (UK Students) (£8,700 for International Students)
Concession: NO
Government Subsidised: NO
Student Loan Available: YES (Higher Education funding available)
Fees are for 2026/27 entry and are for UK students of all ages. For more information about financial support for students, please click here.
Additional Costs:
The course also includes a number of optional study trips such as zoos, aquaria, and centres of commercial animal production. These represent an additional cost to students of approximately £250 – £350.
All students are expected to have Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which can be purchased at enrolment for a cost of approximately £40.
Progression
The Foundation Degree in Animal Management provides a progression route on to an honours degree in a related subject, as well as into employment. Many students at Nescot go on to complete the BSc (Hons) Top-up programme.
Preparation for work is an integral part of the FD in Animal Management. The programme has been designed to enable students to develop their employability skills to support progression and success in the wide range of roles in the land=-based and animal management sectors.
The department has functional links with employers to ensure the skills and knowledge acquired by students is appropriate to workplace requirements. Such links include Chessington Zoo and Sea Life Centre while Surrey Wildlife Trust’s Priest Hill Nature Reserve is a short walk from the campus.
The ‘practice’ aspect of the programme is emphasised in taught material, practical activities and work based placements and assessments. The Nescot Animal Care Unit and other work place opportunities play a central role in developing practical skills in a safe learning environment, while also offering the students some autonomy to make decisions as they would in their own practice. All students are encouraged to gain animal related vocational experience throughout the year and are actively encouraged to gain additional continual professional development courses. They are also encouraged to explore the job market and possible career paths, and to consider attributes that employers look for in graduates above and beyond essential academic skills.
In addition to developing subject specific skills some modules place emphasis on developing the transferable skills essential to successful employment. This includes oral and written communication and presentation skills, planning and organisation of tasks.
Duration
12 hours per week for two years. Details of the course timetable will be available at induction.
End Date: June 2028