Course summary

Our FdSc Animal Welfare and Management is a University of Cumbria-accredited qualification designed for students with a strong interest in ethical animal management practices, welfare and training. It encompasses companion, zoo and farm animal biology and management, in a framework designed to allow students the opportunity to explore career opportunities across the sector but equally the freedom to select specific areas of personal interest for assignments. As a relatively broad and flexible programme, therefore, it is particularly suitable for students who want to keep their options open, perhaps as they know they want to work with animals but are not yet sure in which field. It has been designed to appeal to students with a variety of previous animal experience and interests. With a strong emphasis on both animal welfare and work-based learning, the course aims to develop new and enhance existing practical skills (such as animal handling, husbandry and training), alongside providing graduates with the scientific knowledge base that underpins effective and ethical professional animal management practice (this will involve learning about concepts in animal anatomy and physiology, taxonomy, health and disease, nutrition and behaviour). Year one is deliberately designed to develop the essential knowledge, academic and practical skills needed to study and pursue work across the animal management and wildlife conservation sectors. As such, modules that form the first year of the Animal Welfare and Management course are also those that form the first year of the Foundation Degree in Wildlife Conservation. This has the advantage of permitting a switch of programmes after successful completion of year one, should students develop a strong interest in the wildlife conservation sector during this time and wish to pursue modules more suited to their change in interests. As the FdSc Animal Welfare and Management programme specialises more in year two, students will learn the fundamentals of animal learning theory, and how to apply this knowledge to modify animal behaviour, both effectively and ethically. Here, students will undertake a practical animal training project to put their knowledge and skills into practice. Students will also consider the ethics and acceptability of animal use across different human societies and cultures, and in so doing foster a professional skillset of restraint, tolerance and resilience, to ultimately improve their ability to work with diverse kinds of people. Ultimately, the course is geared towards developing the knowledge and essential practical and transferable skills that we know employers in our sector value. Academic skills development modules run over both years to develop research, academic communication, information technology, project management and critical evaluation skills. Laboratory skills are also developed. Equally, students are introduced to entrepreneurship: a business skills module run in the second year provides practical experience of event management and commercial enterprise, to give graduates a competitive edge and broader career horizons should they wish to pursue self-employed work. Career prospects are enhanced further through a mandatory 150 hours’ work experience component, to be completed at a placement(s) of the student’s choosing and at times to suit the individual and placement provider. The course aims to prepare graduates for immediate entry into employment (for instance working with animal charities/NGOs, sanctuaries, zoos, pet shops, kennels, wildlife parks or self-employment) or progression onto ‘Top Up’ degree study, whether that be BSc (Hons) Animal Management at Northumberland College or a related subject elsewhere. It is also suitable for students wishing to pursue a career in the wider animal sector (for instance in sales or laboratories) or progress onto working in education.