Askham Bryan College runs its Animal Management courses across Yorkshire and the northeast at four locations, including the College’s main campuses in York and Middlesbrough and centres at Wakefield and Saltaire.
Our suite of animal management courses and degree programmes is designed for anyone with an interest in the care and welfare of animals.
What is animal management?
You can choose to study from a broad range of practices, including working with domestic and companion animals through to zoological species and birds. The type of animal care course offered may differ depending on which centre you study at, so please use our course search tool to have a look and find the right option for you.
You can study courses at all levels, and indeed many students decide to stay with us and progress through the different levels of study, some even choosing to study at Degree or Master’s level!
While at the College you will apply the knowledge and principles you’ve been taught to real life situations, as well as benefiting from detailed study of animals in captive and natural environments. The College benefits from partnerships with Flamingo Land and the Askham Bryan College Wildlife and Conservation Park which serve to broaden the range and scope of species which are encountered on our animal management courses.
OUR FACILITIES
The College has an excellent range of over 100 different species of animals housed in several specialised habitat areas; these include an aquatics room, tropical house, exotic mammal room, small mammals yard, bird garden, rodent room and a paddock. A wide range of exotic species are housed including hairy armadillos, racoons, meerkats, lemurs and callitrichids. This unusual variety of animals allows students to develop a wider understanding of the required care across a broad range of species. The College also houses a range of amphibians and invertebrates as well as reptiles which include snakes, bearded dragons and lizards. Outside in the paddock there are a variety of goats, alpaca, pigs and waterfowl as well as access to animals on the College Farm.
Our Animal Management facility at our York campus, which includes state-of-the-art facilities, also incorporates the Askham Bryan Wildlife and Conservation Park. The two-storey building houses lecture rooms, a computer suite and a vet nursing facility as well as a visitor grade attraction, which includes aquatics, reptiles and nocturnal animals. Adjoining facilities include kennels, a grooming parlour and housing for small domestic animals.
The Student Services Team has more information for students who would like to receive financial assistance during their animal care course study with us.
Working closely with partners in the animal care industry is an integral part of the College’s work. It also serves to provide a broader spectrum of experience of the types of animal care for our students to undertake as part of their studies. These partnerships can also provide degree students with further opportunities for research and with work placements.
At Flamingo Land Zoo our students can use the fantastic resources available in a real working zoo environment as part of their animal care course. The Zoo provides students with opportunities to expand their animal experiences by working with rare and exciting species and being taught by the Zoo’s specialist staff.
The College also works in partnership with Scarborough SeaLife Centre, giving students the opportunity to work with a wide range of aquatic animals and fish. In addition to practical placements the College also participates in important studies, such as the Harvest Mice Reintroduction Programme at Rodley Nature Reserve in Leeds. This programme serves to boost species numbers in the face of decline, with the hope of reintroduction to the wild.
To be prepared for the course you will require steel toe capped boots/wellies and overalls that cover the whole body.
Previous work placement in an animal-related role is beneficial, but not mandatory to apply for an animal welfare course.
There is no mandatory reading required before starting the course, but it is beneficial to have an understanding of basic animal care.
Degree level students (Student Finance England)
Under 19s in full-time education (FREE)
All animal courses require you to undertake work experience, this will differ based on the level of the course.
Level 2: 150 hours (1 year course)
Level 3: 150 hours (year 1)
Level 3: 350 hours (year 2)
You many complete your work placement at any animal related establishment, some common work placements are: dog groomers, small petting zoos, farms, dog walkers, pet shops, exotic specialists, falconry centres, veterinary practices and wildlife rehabilitation centres.
We have dedicated work placement coordinators to support you during your work placement.
The college offers a range of assistance and guidance through our Assisted Services Team.
Courses
-
Course Type
Further Education, -
Length
1 Year, -
Location
Middlesbrough, York,
-
Course Type
Further Education, -
Length
13 weeks, -
Location
York,
-
Course Type
Further Education, -
Length
1 Year, -
Location
Middlesbrough, Saltaire, Wakefield, York,
-
Course Type
Further Education, -
Length
1 Year, -
Location
Middlesbrough, Saltaire, Wakefield, York,
-
Course Type
Further Education, -
Length
1 Year, -
Location
Middlesbrough, York,
-
Course Type
Further Education, -
Length
13 weeks, -
Location
York,
-
Course Type
Further Education, -
Length
1 Year, -
Location
Middlesbrough, Saltaire, Wakefield, York,
-
Course Type
Undergraduate, -
Length
3 Years, -
Location
York,
-
Course Type
Undergraduate, -
Length
3 Years, -
Location
York,
-
Course Type
Undergraduate, -
Length
3 Years, -
Location
York,
-
Course Type
Further Education, -
Length
1 Year, -
Location
Middlesbrough, York,
-
Course Type
Further Education, -
Length
13 weeks, -
Location
York,
-
Course Type
Further Education, -
Length
1 Year, -
Location
Middlesbrough, Saltaire, Wakefield, York,
-
Course Type
Further Education, -
Length
1 Year, -
Location
Middlesbrough, Saltaire, Wakefield, York,
-
Course Type
Further Education, -
Length
2 Years, -
Location
Middlesbrough, Saltaire, Wakefield, York,
-
Course Type
Further Education, -
Length
1 Year, -
Location
Middlesbrough, Saltaire,
-
Course Type
Undergraduate, -
Length
3 Years, -
Location
York,
-
Course Type
Undergraduate, -
Length
3 Years, -
Location
York,
-
Course Type
Undergraduate, -
Length
3 Years, -
Location
York,
-
Course Type
Undergraduate, -
Length
3 Years, -
Location
York,
-
Course Type
Undergraduate, -
Length
1 Year, -
Location
York,
-
Course Type
Undergraduate, -
Length
1 Year, -
Location
York,
Oustanding student experience
We are a specialist land-based provider developing talent for both college and university students.
Apply now
Our facilities are better than ever
- Lecture rooms
- Computer suite
- Vet nursing facility
- Visitor grade attraction
- Kennels
- Grooming parlour
- Housing for domestic animals
- Aquatics room
- Tropical house
- Exotic mammal room
- Small mammals yard
- Bird garden
- Rodent room and a paddock
Askham Bryan's Dog School and Boarding
We now provide kennel and training facilities on-site
Find out more and book
Animal Management Course Student Stories
Alex T-Level Animal Management (Behaviour Pathway)
“I really enjoy this course as we get a lot of hands-on experience with the practical's, the teachers are amazing, the environment of learning is really nice and it's just great being able to just work hands on with all the animals here. ”
Scout T-Level Animal Management (Science Pathway)
“The highlight of my course is getting to do the practicals especially being hands on with the animals. The course is very broad, so you get to work with a lot of different animals throughout the whole course”
Molly T-Level Animal Management (Behaviour Pathway)
“This course at Askham Bryan College is really beneficial for my career goals of being a zookeeper. I get to have practical hands-on experience with a variety of animals not only at the college but at my work placement as well. ”
FAQs
-
What is a typical week like? How much time is practical? How much is theory?
Our animal care courses at Level 2 are 3 days and our Level 3 courses tend to be 3 or 4 days in college plus work placement. This will depend on the level you are studying and whether you require resitting English and/or maths GCSE.
-
Where have past students ended up? What jobs could I do?
About 40% to 50% of our animal management course students go on to higher education at many universities across the country. The job roles you have access to will be dependent on the pathway you decide to follow. Many of our students go into roles such as zookeepers, pet shop workers, animal welfare positions, animal care assistants, trainee veterinary nurses, wildlife support officers, national park workers and animal trainers.
-
I’m not sure which pathway to choose. What’s the difference between them?
Level 2 Animal Care is taught at Middlesbrough, Saltaire and Wakefield and York.
Level 3 Animal Management (T Level Foundation). Two Specialist pathways available at York Campus: Behaviour and Welfare Pathway and Animal Management and Science Pathway. Middlesbrough, Saltaire and Wakefield will offer a mix of the two pathways.
The T Level Animal Management Foundation programme enables learners to complete a year studying a variety of animal related modules such as Health and Husbandry, Animal Biology, Animal Handling whilst re-sitting GCSE English or Maths. On successful completion, students may progress
T Level Animal Care and Management is a 2 year study programme which is equivalent to 3 A-Levels, both years and all components must be completed in full in order to achieve. The course has two pathway options dependent on your choice of study centre:
Behaviour and Welfare (York, Middlesbrough, Wakefield and Saltaire)
Animal Management and Science (York and Middlesbrough) -
How many hours work experience do I need to do? How do I find a work placement? Do you find it for me?
Level 2 and T level foundation students are required to complete 150 hours per year on work experience. You are usually expected to find your own placement, but if you’re having difficulties, don’t worry – our staff and Work Placement Coordinators will be able to help and point you in the right direction .
T Level students will be expected to complete an industry placement spanning 315 to 420 hours, this increases the opportunities of going into work after the course. Previously students have had work experience at grooming salons, kennels, small animal parks, zoos, aquariums, pet stores, and as pet sitters and dog walkers.
-
What grades do I need?
Level 2 courses: 4 GCSEs at grade 3 (D) or above, to include two from English, Maths and Science, with at least a grade 2 (E) in the remaining subject.
Leve 3/T Level Foundation: 4 GCSEs at grade 4 (old GCSE grade C) or above, to include 2 from English, Maths or Science with at least a grade 3 (old GCSE grade D) in the remaining subject. This course would be offered whereby the applicant has a grade 3 in either English or Maths from the aforementioned and will need to continue to study and re-sit that subject.
T Level (Animal behaviour or Science): 4 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, to include English, Maths and Science. Alternatively a suitable Level 2 vocational qualification (Merit or above) with English, Maths and Science at Level 2. (a grade 5 or above in Science is required for the specialist Science pathway).
-
Are there any exams?
Courses are assessed by a mix of in year exams, employer set projects, synoptic assignment, research project and knowledge tests.
-
How many UCAS points would I get?
A full T Level (2 years)…
Distinction*: 168 UCAS points, equivalent to 3 A-level grades at A*.
Distinction: 144 UCAS points , equivalent to 3 A-levels at grade A.
Merit: 120 UCAS points, equivalent to 3 A-Levels at grade B.
Pass (C or above on the core): 96 UCAS points, equivalent to 3 A-Levels at grade C
Pass (D or E on the core): 72 UCAS points, equivalent to 3 A-Levels at grade D.
-
What size are the classes?
The maximum number in a classroom is about 25 and the maximum for practical sessions is around 12. Some courses will have core subjects where students from different cohorts will be combined, so those groups will be larger, but most of our classrooms cannot seat more than 30 students. The specialised subjects will have smaller groups.
-
What previous experience do I need?
No previous experience is needed for the course, however an understanding of biology (GCSE level) and some understanding of caring for animals in beneficial.
-
Is there a uniform? Is PPE provided?
There’s no set uniform. However, you will need to have your own overalls (full coveralls/boiler suit) and steel toe capped boots for practical sessions. The boots maybe any style, but we do recommended steel toe capped wellies for the winter months. Any specialist PPE will be provided.
-
Do you offer animal care courses for adults?
Yes. At various times during the year we do offer short courses for adults to apply to join, so keep an eye on the website for any upcoming options. Whether you’re looking to begin a career in animal management, change profession, or upskill for work, we offer opportunities to gain practical experience with a range of species.