About the course
Based on the main campus in Bury St Edmunds, we have an onsite Animal Centre boasting over 200 animals across four areas. A passionate team of industry professionals will teach you a variety of modules both practical and theory based, preparing you for employment in industry.
You will also be given the opportunity to attend trips within the sector and undertake numerous hands on experiences, gaining opportunities to develop transferable skills for employment and further study. Part of our role whilst you're working with us is to install Professional Standards which will support to make you more employable within our competitive industry.
Our department is developing future Veterinary Surgeons, Veterinary Nurses, Animal Nursing Assistants, Zookeepers, Herpetologists, Ecologists, Wildlife Conservationists, Welfare Inspectors and many more! With approximately 250 students engaged in the Animal Studies, we pride ourselves on giving our students the best possible start to their future career.
We look forward to supporting you to achieve your dream job within the Animal Sector!
Sarah Eaton - Head of Animal Studies
About the course
The Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Animal Management 1080 (Year 2) is a full-time vocational course studied over one year, three days a week and is for you if you have already completed the first year achieving an Advanced Technical Diploma in Animal Management 540. Students wishing to progress onto the second year of the programme will need to have successfully completed year one (following rules of combination) to a good standard, attain a good attendance record and achieve GCSE Grade 4/Functional Skills Level 2 in both Maths and English. The second year of the programme contains an increased amount of independent study work and more challenging modules such as Business Management to provide students with the support required to go onto a university degree. It is for this reason that we make the correct decision regarding progression, reflecting on current performance.
Students are able to choose between studying the Zoo Route, Animal Management Route or the Pre-Veterinary Science Route. All routes study the same two modules; Business Management and Specialist Project but will then be made up of different modules that are more closely link to the career aspirations of our students.
- The Zoo Route includes modules such as; Wildlife and Ecology Conservation, Wildlife Management and Rehabilitation, Aquatics Welfare, Avian Health and Husbandry, Zoological Collections, Estate Skills and Customer Care and Retail Merchandising.
- The Animal Management Route includes modules such as; Wildlife and Ecology Conservation, Pet Store Design, Pet Allied Services, Aquatics Welfare, Small Animal Rehabilitation, Kennel and Cattery Management and Estate Skills.
- The Pre-Veterinary Science Route* includes modules such as; Fundamentals of Science, Chemistry for Biological Technicians, Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science Investigation Report Writing, Avian Health and Husbandry and Small Animal Rehabilitation.
*To gain access to the Pre-Veterinary Science Route, students must have achieved a Distinction in Biological Systems during Year 1 and a Merit overall for the qualification.
Upon successful completion of this course, students can attain between 48 and 168 UCAS points to allow students to gain entry to degrees at university (D*D*D* 168, D*D*D 160, D*DD 152, DDD 144, DDM 128, DMM 112, MMM 96, MMP 80, MPP 64, PPP 48). It is important for students to start researching university degrees soon (especially if they are veterinary based) as the application date and entry requirements differ. Some may ask for specific modules to be undertaken (RVC Bioveterinary Medicine requires the Pre-Veterinary Science Route to be studied) whilst others may ask for GCSEs at Grade 4+ and a specific number of UCAS points.
Work experience is an integral part of all of our courses within Animal Studies and is especially important if you are hoping to go onto university. Due to the competitive nature of the Animal Sector, we encourage our students to undertake as many different placements as they can, whilst ensuring they undertake the mandatory hours required by each programme (150 hours for all Level 3 and Technical courses).
If you have undertaken the first year of the course at another college but you would like to join WSC Animal Studies for the second year of the course, please apply using the application form for the Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Animal Management, and include information on the modules you have already studied so we can check rules of combination.
Course Sponsors
Year 2 - Pre-Veterinary Science Route
Finn Pathologists - The Veterinary Pathologists
Year 2 - Animal Management Route
Year 2 - Zoology Route
Zoological Society Of East Anglia
Where could it take me?
We have built excellent links with local businesses within the Animal Sector, with over 150 across East Anglia currently offering work experience placements to our students. We're proud to report that a majority of our students are offered employment (or further training) by their work experience providers, so it is an excellent way to gain entry to the industry.
If you are hard working and love animals there are plenty of different careers available within the Animal Sector.
- Jobs involving the direct care and treatment of animals within the Veterinary Industry include; Animal Nursing Assistant, Veterinary Nurse (Equine/Small Animal/Exotic/Large Animal), Veterinary Physiotherapist, Veterinary Receptionist, Veterinary Surgeon (Equine/Small Animal/Exotic/Large Animal), Veterinary Behaviourist, Canine Hydrotherapist etc.
- Jobs working with exotic animals include; Zookeeper, Zoologist, Herpetologist, Ichthyologist, Entomologist, Marine Biologist, Ornithologist, Aquarist, Primatologist, Animal Trainer, Falconer etc.
- Jobs working with wildlife and the conservation of animals include; Wildlife Ranger, Wildlife Educator, Wildlife Rehabilitator, Ecologist, Conservationist, Researcher, Field Biologist etc.
- Jobs working directly to improve the welfare of animals include; Animal Rescuer, Canine Carer, Animal Trainer, Animal Welfare Officer, Rehoming Coordinator, Animal Centre Manager, Environmental Health Officer, Animal Technician, Kennel/Cattery Assistant etc.
- Jobs working within the pet sector include; Dog Groomer, Dog Walker, Pet Sitter, Pet Shop Assistant, Canine Creche Carers etc.
If any of the above interest you, you've come to the right place!
Industry statistics
Veterinary Surgeons - The workforce is projected to grow by 8.7% over the period to 2027, creating 2,300 jobs. In the same period, 53.7% of the workforce is projected to retire, creating 13,900 job openings. Average salary £34,320
Veterinary Nurses - The workforce is projected to grow by 11.6% over the period to 2027, creating 1,900 jobs. In the same period, 57% of the workforce is projected to retire, creating 9,200 job openings. Average salary £18,200
Conservation Professionals - The workforce is projected to grow by 5.1% over the period to 2027, creating 800 jobs. In the same period, 39.9% of the workforce is projected to retire, creating 6,100 job openings. Average salary £33,800
Animal care services occupations N.E.C. - The workforce is projected to grow by 11.6% over the period to 2027, creating 8,700 jobs. In the same period, 57% of the workforce is projected to retire, creating 42,900 job openings. Average salary between £12,000 and £14,000
"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." - Jane Goodall
Days & times
Starting September 2023