Animal
Management

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.

Department Overview

Our suite of courses and degree programmes is designed for anyone with an interest in the care and welfare of animals.

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 management course offered may differ depending on which centre you study at, so please use our course search tool to take a look and find the right option for you.

You can study courses at all levels, and indeed many students choose to stay with us and progress through the different levels of study, some even choosing to study at Degree or Masters-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 College 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.

We have a brand new Animal Management facility at our York campus, which includes state-of-the-art facilities and will be home to 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 including aquatics, reptiles and nocturnal animals. Adjoining facilities include kennels, a grooming parlour and housing for small domestic animals.

 

Scholarships and Bursaries

The Student Services Team has more information for students who would like to receive financial assistance during their study with us.

College Student Finance

UCAB Fees and Finance

Employer Information

Working closely with partners in the animal care industry is an integral part of the College’s work and 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.

Partnerships

At Flamingo Land Zoo our students are fortunate enough to be able to use the fantastic resources available in a real working zoo environment as part of their 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 which serves to boost species numbers in the face of decline, with the hope of reintroduction to the wild.

Preparing For Your Course

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 a course.

There is no mandatory reading required before starting the course, but it is beneficial to have an understanding of basic animal care.

Student Finance

Degree level students ( Student Finance England)

Under 19s in full-time education (FREE)

College Student Finance

UCAB Fees and Finance

Work Placements

All courses require you to undertake work experience as part of your course, 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 stops, exotic specialists, falconry centres, veterinary practices, wildlife rehabilitation centres and many more.

We have dedicated work placement co-ordinators to support you during your work placement.

 

Learning Support

The college offers a range of assistance and guidance through our Assisted Services Team.

College Inclusive Services

UCAB Student Support Services

 

 

Courses

  • Course Type

    Further Education,
  • Length

    1 Year,
  • Location

    Middlesbrough, 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,
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  • Course Type

    Undergraduate,
  • Length

    3 Years,
  • Location

    York,
  • Course Type

    Undergraduate,
  • Length

    3 Years,
  • Location

    York,
  • Course Type

    Undergraduate,
  • Length

    3 Years,
  • Location

    York,
View more
  • Course Type

    Further Education,
  • Length

    1 Year,
  • Location

    Middlesbrough, York,
  • Course Type

    Further Education,
  • Length

    1 Year,
  • Location

    Middlesbrough, Saltaire, Wakefield, York,
  • Course Type

    Further Education,
  • Length

    2 Years,
  • Location

    Middlesbrough, Saltaire, York,
View more
  • Course Type

    Further Education,
  • Length

    1 Year,
  • Location

    Middlesbrough, York,
  • Course Type

    Further Education,
  • Length

    1 Year,
  • Location

    Middlesbrough, York,
  • Course Type

    Further Education,
  • Length

    1 Year,
  • Location

    Middlesbrough, Saltaire, Wakefield, York,
  • Course Type

    Further Education,
  • Length

    2 Years,
  • Location

    Middlesbrough, Saltaire, York,
  • Course Type

    Further Education,
  • Length

    1 Year,
  • Location

    York, Middlesbrough, Saltaire,
  • Course Type

    Further Education,
  • Length

    2 Years,
  • Location

    Wakefield,
View more
  • Course Type

    Undergraduate,
  • Length

    3 Years,
  • Location

    York,
  • Course Type

    Undergraduate,
  • Length

    3 Years,
  • Location

    York,
  • Course Type

    Undergraduate,
  • Length

    3 Years,
  • Location

    York,
View more
  • Course Type

    Undergraduate,
  • Length

    3 Years,
  • Location

    York,
  • Course Type

    Undergraduate,
  • Length

    1 Year,
  • Location

    York,
  • Course Type

    Undergraduate,
  • Length

    1 Year,
  • Location

    York,
View more
  • Course Type

    Further Education,
  • Length

    1 Year,
  • Location

    Middlesbrough, 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

Student Stories

Siobhan’s Story

“Askham Bryan College is a fantastic college. It has been a pleasure learning here. All the tutors are willing to go above and beyond to ensure you have the best knowledge possible. I would recommend this college to anyone wanting to become a Registered Veterinary Nurse. ”

Ryan’s Story

“Choosing the level 3 Arboriculture course was a big decision being a 31-year-old self-employed landscape gardener. I am now at the end of my first year and there is no looking back. I have come on leaps and bounds professionally. I have already expanded my business into arboriculture with the skills and knowledge I have learnt. Askham Bryan College has been an eye opener and I've learned skills that I will take through my entire life.”

Ellie’s Story

“I chose Askham Bryan College because I liked what the course covered especially Anatomy & Physiology and Coaching. I enjoy taking part in training and I am hoping to go on to further coaching courses in football at University. The course is great to prepare me for this career.”

FAQs

  • What is a typical week like? How much time is practical? How much is theory?

    Our 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 to resit English and/or maths GCSE.  

  • Where have past students ended up? What jobs could I do?

    About 40% -50% of students go on to higher education at many universities across the country. Depending on which pathway you decide to study will depend on the job roles you may go into many of our students go into roles such as zoo keepers, pet shops, animal welfare positions, animal care assistants, trainee veterinary nursing, wildlife support officers, roles within national parks, animal training and much more.  

  • 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, at York there are two pathways, ie Level 2 Companion Animals (pets) and Level 2 Zoos and Wildlife. 

    Level 3 Animal Management is taught at Middlesbrough and Saltaire, Level 3 Companion Animals at York and Wakefield, Level 3 Zoos at York and Wakefield and Level 3 Wildlife and Level 3 Applied Science are both taught at York only. 

    The main difference between the pathways are the modules you will complete, in the first year many of the core or synoptic modules are the same. The optional modules in year one differ; for example companion students complete animal training, small animal rehabilitation and kennel and cattery. Whereas the zoo students complete animal training, estate skills and business.  

    In the second year the pathways become much more specific to the roles you will be looking at when going to university or work for example the wildlife pathway covers modules such as ecological concepts, population surveys and wildlife management, whereas the science pathway complete modules such as animal nursing, science investigation and genetics. 

  • How many hours work experience do I need to do? How do I find a work placement? Do you find it for me?

    Students are required to complete 150 hours per year on work experience and you are usually expected to find your own placement, but if you’re having difficulties, don’t worry – our staff will be able to help and point you in the right direction and our Work Placement Co-ordinators are on hand to help too. In the second year most students will be expected to complete the extended placement of 350 hours, this provides an additional certificate of achievement and 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?

    For Level 2 courses you will need four 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.  

     For Level 3 courses you will need four GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, to include two from English, Maths and Science, with at least a grade 3 (D) in the remaining subject.  

  • Are there any exams?

    There are 4 mocks, then one exam for the health and safety module, one exam for the biology module and then a final synoptic exam in March, with a resit opportunity in June. The final synoptic exam covers several modules. 

    Alongside these exams you will need to complete a synoptic assignment, this is a range of theory tasks sat in exam conditions and normally 2 practical assessments that are completed within a window usually between March and April. 

  • How many UCAS points would I get?

    A full Level 3 Extended Diploma (1080) (2 years) with distinctions in every module is equivalent to 168 UCAS points or the same as 3 A-level grades at A* (56 UCAS points for one A*). A Merit grade across all modules is equivalent to 96 UCAS.  Pass grades across all modules is equivalent to 48 UCAS 

     

  • 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. 

Askham Bryan College Video