School of Life Sciences

FD (Science) Zoo Animal Management and Conservation

FD (Science) Full-time 2 years

Kick-start your career in animal care and conservation. This course is designed for those passionate about wildlife and zoological settings where you’ll build the essential skills and knowledge needed to make a real difference in the care and protection of animals.

Kick-start your career in animal care and conservation. This course is designed for those passionate about wildlife and zoological settings where you’ll build the essential skills and knowledge needed to make a real difference in the care and protection of animals.

Award
FD (Science)
Start date(s)
15 September 2025
UCAS Code
DF05
Course specifications
Course length
Full-time (2 years)
Campus location
South Staffordshire College Rodbaston Campus
School
School of Life Sciences
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

If you’re passionate about working with exotic animals and committed to conservation, this hands-on, career-focused foundation degree gives you everything you need to succeed in the zoo and wildlife sectors.

Delivered at South Staffordshire College’s Rodbaston Campus and developed in collaboration with industry experts, the course gives you access to a fully licensed commercial zoo, offering real-world experience with a wide variety of exotic and domestic animals.

You’ll gain practical skills, build industry insight, and be taught by staff with deep links to conservation and animal welfare. With extensive work placements, fieldwork, and the chance to progress to a BSc top-up year, this course is your launchpad into the exciting world of animal management and conservation.

What's unique about this course?

  • Hands-on experience with zoo animals through practical learning and work placements in professional zoological settings.
  • Focus on conservation, including species preservation, habitat management, and the role of zoos in global biodiversity efforts.
  • Applied learning approach combining academic study with real-world skills in animal welfare, behaviour, and enclosure design.
  • Pathway to further study, including top-up degree options and progression into careers in zoos, wildlife parks, or conservation roles.

What happens on the course?

Throughout the Foundation Degree in Zoo Animal Management and Conservation, you’ll engage in a dynamic blend of academic study and practical application, aimed at equipping you with the skills and knowledge needed to work in a wide range of animal-related fields.

You’ll explore modules that cover essential areas of animal care and conservation including

  • animal biology
  • genetics
  • behaviour
  • ethics
  • welfare legislation
  • population management
  • environmental enrichment

Teaching is delivered by experienced staff through a combination of lectures, seminars, lab sessions, and zoo-based practicals, ensuring that your learning is grounded in real-world relevance.

Assessment methods are varied and include reports, presentations, reflective journals, group work, and practical observations – designed to develop not just your academic ability but your confidence, communication, and team-working skills too.

Importantly, the course includes a structured work placement component where you'll gain experience in a real animal management setting. This could include zoos, wildlife parks, rescue centres, or conservation organisations. These placements allow you to apply your knowledge in practice, build professional networks, and gain insights into future career pathways.

As you progress through the course, you'll have opportunities to take part in field trips and collaborative conservation projects. You’ll also begin to develop a specialism in your area of interest through research and tailored module choices in your second year.

Upon completion, you'll be prepared to enter a range of animal-related careers or continue your studies with a Level 6 top-up degree, such as the BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Wildlife Conservation.

Course Modules

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

  • Understand the principles of animal biology, including anatomy, physiology, and genetics.

  • Demonstrate practical skills in animal husbandry, handling, and welfare assessment.

  • Apply ethical, legal, and professional standards in the care and management of zoo animals.

  • Evaluate the roles and responsibilities of zoos in conservation, education, and research.

  • Design and implement animal enrichment and enclosure plans based on behavioural needs.

  • Understand principles of population management, nutrition, and breeding strategies.

  • Develop fieldwork and observational techniques used in conservation and animal studies.

  • Analyse data and apply scientific methods to animal behaviour and health monitoring.

  • Communicate effectively in both written and verbal formats with peers and professionals.

  • Reflect critically on practical experiences to improve future performance and decision-making.

  • Work collaboratively in teams and apply problem-solving skills in real-world animal care contexts.

  • Demonstrate awareness of sustainability and environmental impacts in zoo operations.

  • Prepare for professional employment or further academic study through self-directed learning and placement experience.

Location Mode Fee Year
Home Full-time £6165 per year 2024-25
Home Full-time £6356 per year 2025-26

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed

Key entry Requirements - 64 UCAS points

either

  • A Levels with a minimium grades CC including a Biological Science
  • BTEC Extended Diploma grade MPP, BTEC Diploma grade MM in a related subject area
  • Access to HE Diploma (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 (64 UCAS point equivalence, minimum 45 credits at merit) in a related subject
  • T-Levels in a related subject area - grade P (grade D or E within Core)
  • Mature students (21 years and over) who can evidence a satisfactory work experience portfolio would be favourably considered.

PLUS

Five GCSEs at grade 4 / C+ including English Language, Mathematics and Science

This course is not available at present to International applicants.

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

Order a prospectus

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