About
Crazy about animals? Take a walk on the wild side at our animal centre and zoo!
If you have a connection with animals or enjoy biological sciences, our Animal Management Centre is the place for you!
You’ll be based at our fantastic purpose built animal centre with its licensed teaching zoo and laboratories – facilities which are among the best in the UK. Even more exciting, you’ll have the chance to work with over 150 species including tapir, meerkats, lemurs, otters, birds of prey, reptiles, fish, amphibians and a range of companion and park animals.
Your classroom lectures will come to life as you carry out practical sessions with the animals in our collection, and you’ll have the opportunity to visit some of the UK’s leading zoos and wildlife parks and to join our amazing study tours abroad.
Our courses offer a great progression route into degree level study and, depending on your GCSE results, you may have the option to study a science pathway opening opportunities to study degrees in areas such as animal science.
Whatever your interests, you’ll be encouraged to gain as many experiences as possible and to explore the many exciting and varied careers on offer.
Courses
- BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Welfare
- BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Welfare (including Foundation Year)
- BSc (Hons) Canine Behaviour and Training (Top-Up)
- BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation and Ecology
- BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation and Ecology (including Foundation Year)
- BSc (Hons) Animal Management (Behaviour and Welfare) (Top-Up)
- BSc (Hons) Zoo Management (Top-Up)
- Foundation Degree Animal Management (Behaviour and Welfare)
- Foundation Degree Zoo Management
- Foundation Degree Canine Behaviour and Training
Student Success
Charlotte Daniels
BSc (Hons) Zoo Management 2015
“I’ve always been fascinated by chimpanzees and now I have my dream job as a member of the primate care team at Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre, Dorset.
“The three years I spent as an animal science undergraduate at Reaseheath were fantastic. The lecturers never stop caring, always want you to excel and take the time to support you with your assignments. I think that added most to my experience, along with my work placements at the campus zoo and in industry.
“I had a placement at Yorkshire Wildlife Park and was offered a seasonal job there, followed by another seasonal post at Woburn Safari Park. I then volunteered at an amazing chimp rescue centre in Cameroon, West Africa, before getting my current job.”
Find out more
Why study Animal Management at Reaseheath?
Receive great teaching and support from our tutors and keepers, who have a wealth of knowledge, industry experience and contacts.
Gain great career tips and contacts from inspirational speakers and former students.
Make the most of opportunities for research and work experience, thanks to our links within the industry.
Join student clubs and societies and make a difference on campus and out in the community through fundraising and conservation projects.
Work hands-on with our collection of over 1,000 mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds and fish or with dogs in our fast growing canine department.
Enjoy amazing field programmes to wildlife hotspots such as Africa and South America and behind-the-scenes visits to leading animal collections and zoos in Europe.
Where could your career take you?
The animal management sector offers an incredibly broad spectrum of jobs but all aim to make a difference to the health and wellbeing of pets, working animals, livestock and wildlife. Job satisfaction is virtually guaranteed!
You could work for an animal charity, international welfare organisation, scientific organisation, zoo, animal visitor attraction, sanctuary or for one of the numerous animal related businesses in this country or abroad. With the correct qualifications you could also set up and run your own business.
Here are a range of career suggestions:
- Zoologist
- Biologist
- Marine biologist
- Research scientist
- Science writer
- Conservationist
- Animal behaviourist
- Animal nutritionist
- Animal hydrotherapist
- Zoo keeper
- Wildlife park keeper
- Enclosure designer
- Performing animal trainer
- Therapy dog trainer
- Security / police dog trainer
- Dog groomer
- Dog breeder
- Dog walker / sitter
- Rehabilitation centre manager
- Welfare officer
- Kennel or cattery manager
- Public educator
- Lecturer or instructor
- Pet shop manager
- Aquarium keeper
Your Reaseheath Experience
Animal management is Reaseheath’s most popular department by far, with over 800 students from Key Stage 4 learners to undergraduates. But as everyone has a common interest in animals you’re sure to fit in well and quickly make friends.
Our animal management students love to party, so you’ll be quickly introduced to our campus social and sporting calendar, and you’ll be encouraged to get involved with environmental projects in the community and to join fundraising events.
Once you’ve settled in you could be offered the chance to join one of our amazing field trips to a conservation experience in Africa, or on study tours to the best zoos, educational establishments and museums in Europe. Some students tell us these trips have been life-changing.
Industry links
Thanks to our wide industry links we run an outstanding programme of inspirational speakers and seminars and behind the scenes visits to some of the country’s leading zoos and wildlife parks such as Chester Zoo and Edinburgh Zoo. We’ve had lectures from well known people such as influential conservationist Ian Redmond OBE. Our industry partners also have input into our courses, ensuring that you have the practical skills and knowledge that employers are looking for.
All of our level 3 students complete a relevant extended work placement, working across a huge range of organisations from within the animal management sector.
Where you’ll be studying
You’ll be based in our Animal Centre with its licensed zoo, outdoor and indoor enclosures and dedicated birds of prey, reptile, amphibian, fish and companion animal sections. We also have a dog grooming parlour, kennels and a dog training field – and an on-site vet to ensure every member of the collection is in good health.
Your classroom theory will come alive when you work with some of our many species and you’ll add to your practical skills during your work placement. You can join student clubs such as ‘Student Voice’, where members work on practical projects within the zoo, or you could volunteer to engage with the thousands of visitors who come to our zoo each year.
You can enjoy your breaks sitting in the sunshine by our lake, or you can take advantage of our well stocked library, quiet study areas and computer rooms for extra reading and study.
University study
Many of our animal management students choose to study their degree at University Centre Reaseheath. With degrees in animal behaviour and welfare, wildlife conservation and ecology, canine behaviour and training and zoo management, there’s plenty of choice!
Industry view
“Finding meaningful employment is so competitive these days that young people need to stand out, be different and show dedication and passion as well as have the relevant skills. At Reaseheath students develop this crucial confidence and the skills to succeed. They receive a great foundation for the future which makes them eminently employable.”
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Higher Education: 01270 613284
Switchboard: 01270 625131