Animal Welfare & Science

Level 3 – BTEC National Diploma in Animal Management

Course overview

Are you looking to develop the skills to progress into a supervisory role in animal management?

Are you looking to learn essential knowledge to enable you to progress into Higher Education or employment?

This Level 3 course will enhance your knowledge and industry-relevant practical skills through theory lessons, demonstrations, projects and practical work involving our extensive onsite college animal collection.

Across the two years of this Level 3 course you will be expected to complete over 225 hours of work experience – all with an external employer within the animal care industry, bolstering your CV, networking potential and career prospects.

Entry Requirements

  • 4 GCSEs Grade 4/C or above to include English and maths.
  • Science GCSE (triple award) 554 or (double award) 55.
  • Experience of working with animals and enthusiasm to work with a wide range of species are also essential.

*Internal applicants who have completed a Level 2 qualification must have achieved an MM grade to be able to progress onto Level 3.

Course Structure

Course Description

Topics covered may include:

  • Animal husbandry – you will work extensively with our onsite animal collection which houses a range of small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates and livestock.
  • Animal welfare involving health checking and the monitoring of animal behaviour.
  • Animal biology.
  • Animal nutrition.
  • Exotic animal management.
  • Zoo collection management.
  • Investigative project.
  • Aquatics management.

Progression

  • Animal welfare assistant/supervisor.
  • Trainee zoo keeper.
  • Animal care technician.
  • Wildlife warden.
  • Trainee aquarist.
L3
Course code
Start date
September 7, 2026
Duration
1 year and 9 months
Location
Kingston Maurward
Apply now