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School of Pharmacy and 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.

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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.

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FD (Science)
Start date(s)
14 September 2026
UCAS Code
DF05
Course specifications
View course spec
Course length
Full-time (2 years)
Campus location
South Staffordshire College (Rodbaston Campus)
School
School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences
UCAS points calculator
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Why choose this course?

6th in the UK for Health Sciences (Daily Mail University Guide 2027)

93% of students on bioscience courses were satisfied with the teaching on their course (NSS 2026)

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.

Employability on the course

Our courses are designed from day one to prepare you for your future career. You will benefit from:

  • Extended induction: a period to familiarise yourself with your new university
  • Structured learning pathways: courses are crafted with a focus on preparing students for future careers
  • Hands-on project experience: projects and practical activities designed around real-world activities
  • Embedded professional development: all courses are designed with workplace skills development and professional placements as part of the course
  • Industry-informed modules: course content is kept up-to-date with industry standards through our industry links, staff's research and work in the field
  • Placement opportunities: professional development placements for every student

Course Modules

Module: 4AB028
Credits: 20
Period: 1
Type: Core

This module aims to develop your study skills to increase confidence in your ability to structure assignments and write in the academic style, to achieve your best potential and be successful in all types of assignments throughout the programme. It will also allow you to examine different employment and career options within the zoo animal management and conservation sector, develop professional industry skills and includes an expectation to complete up to 150 hours (50 hours mandatory) of industry work experience and Continuing Professional Development opportunities.

Module: 4AB030
Credits: 20
Period: 1
Type: Core

This module is designed to equip you with a broader concept of the diversity found within the animal kingdom and the scientific theories as to how it came to be. It will provide you with knowledge of anatomy and physiology as well as taxonomic and evolutionary principles. This greater awareness of the diversity of life, the underpinning science behind its evolution and its current anatomy and physiology will provide a crucial base understanding to lead into all aspects of zoo animal husbandry and conservation. The module will provide you with insight, knowledge and skills that can then be transferred and developed in all other modules.

Module: 4AB027
Credits: 40
Period: 1
Type: Core

This module will enable you to work practically with a large range of large, domestic and exotic species on our well stocked licensed zoo/animal unit. As well as practical animal husbandry experience, this module will also give you a strong foundation in modern zoo husbandry theory and animal health management.

Module: 4AB031
Credits: 20
Period: 1
Type: Core

In a world where the pressures of an ever-increasing human population are impacting the environment in ever more obvious ways, an ability to monitor, understand, slow and perhaps even reverse the issues we are facing has become essential. In this module you will be introduced to methods and knowledge regarding the current state of the planet, how all life interacts, the human impact on biodiversity and the methods and practises we can use to gain a far greater understanding of the world around us, and our place in working towards a less damaging and more sustainable future.

Module: 4AB029
Credits: 20
Period: 1
Type: Core

This module is designed to provide you with an understanding of animal behaviour and its application in animal management. It will allow you to recognise the scientific and historical basis of the study of animal behaviour and its importance in animal husbandry and conservation. In addition, you will investigate the effects of physiology on behaviour and develop understanding of animal societies. This module will also develop your scientific research and analysis skills in preparation for future scientific studies within the course

Module: 5AB038
Credits: 20
Period: 2
Type: Core

This module will develop your design appraisal skills of animal enclosures using behavioural, nutritional and physiological principles, alongside public needs, perceptions and educational intentions. You will evaluate a range of enclosures from a number of zoological collections analysing them in terms of all stakeholders. You will then investigate the principles of environmental interpretation and its importance to modern zoological collections and design a system of educational, factual and interesting displays for a named collection.

Module: 5AB036
Credits: 20
Period: 2
Type: Core

As you are on a vocational course, it is vital that part of the course is undertaken in the workplace. This module allows you to develop knowledge of the workplace including health and safety legislation and employer/employee responsibilities as well as experiencing time in the workplace developing industry specific skills. It allows you to reflect upon your experiences and build future career plans. This module aims to further develop your skills gained in the Level 4 Academic and Industry Skills Development module by providing knowledge, understanding and application of advanced professional industry skills such as zoo management strategy, animal collection and business planning, and the supervision and management of people, including mandatory industry work experience and Continuing Professional Development opportunities (minimum of 75 hours with an expectation of up to 220 hours).

Module: 5AB035
Credits: 20
Period: 2
Type: Core

This module will provide you with the opportunity to carry out an investigation that is of relevance or interest to the zoological and or conservation sector. In many cases it is expected that you will have identified a problem or challenge arising from your placement or other work-based learning experiences. You will devise, plan, execute and evaluate a scientific investigation and present your results as a formal scientific report.

Module: 5AB034
Credits: 40
Period: 2
Type: Core

Through studying this module, you will build on the professional practical skills developed at Level 4, focusing on zoo husbandry routines, diet formulation and health related practices. You will explore the key considerations relating to zoo diet formulation and factors to consider when establishing species specific breeding programmes. In addition, you will explore modern zoo record keeping systems together with relevant zoo legislation and the licencing process for UK based zoological collections.

Module: 5AB037
Credits: 20
Period: 2
Type: Core

This module focuses on the chronological progression of animal collections within the UK and the evolution of modern zoo practice in accordance with current and future sociological changes and challenges beyond the 21st century. At the completion of the module, you will be able to demonstrate your knowledge of the progression and improvement of zoological gardens, from inception to the present day. This knowledge is intended to equip you with the ability to make recommendations for future developments, with emphasis placed on animal welfare and conservation of endangered species.

Potential Career Paths

You!

Wildlife Biologist

Animal Nutritionist

Conservation Scientist

Vet (Wildlife/Zoo Specialist)

Wildlife Outreach Officer

Wildlife Manager

Studies animals in their natural habitats to understand behaviour, population dynamics and ecological impact. Provides data to support conservation strategies and wildlife management policies. 

Designs balanced diets for captive and wild animals, considering species-specific nutritional requirements. Works in zoos aquariums or research facilities to optimise health and longevity. 

Develops and implements plans to protect endangered species and ecosystems. Conducts field research, monitors populations and advises governments or NGO's on sustainable practices. 

Provides medical care for zoo and wild animals, including diagnosis, treatment and preventative care. Works on-site or in wildlife rehabilitation centres to maintain animal health. 

Educates the public about animal conservation, biodiversity, and environmental stewardship. Develops educational programs, leads guided tours and creates awareness campaigns.

Oversee zoo operations or wildlife reserves, including staff management, habitat planning, and conservation programs. Ensures regulatory compliance and coordinates research and breeding initiatives. 

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 Sep intake Fee Year
Home Full-time £6682 per year 2026-27

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.


If a tuition fee is not showing, we may not offer this intake for this course. Please check the start date information on the course finder for start dates.

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

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