Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Animal Management 2025-26

The Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Animal Management course is equivalent to A levels and forms year one of the Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Animal Management. In the second year you can choose to specialise in either animal science or animal management.

In the first year you will learn learn about the care and welfare of animals including their health and husbandry, feeding, behaviour, breed development, animal training, how to look after exotic animals, animal biology and the fundamentals of science.

You will also complete a 150 hour industry placement in an animal care establishment where you will apply the skills you learn on the course to the workplace.

In year 2, Animal Science students will explore the concepts of biochemistry, microbiology, cell biology & genetics and animal nursing. While on the management pathway, students will study kennel & cattery management, animal nursing, wildlife and ecology and business management.

On both pathways you will complete a specialist project on a subject of your choosing. During which you will learn how to plan and manage a large project, collect data and interpret your findings. This is the perfect preparation for a university degree dissertation!

Throughout both years you will work practically with a range of species including small mammals, exotics and farm livestock, where you will get the opportunity to be involved with lambing.

• Animal Health and Husbandry
• Animal Feeding and Nutrition
• Animal Behaviour
• Animal Breed Development and Welfare
• Animal Biology
• Fundamentals of Science
• Animal Training
• Exotic Health and Husbandry
• Work Related Experience
• Health and Safety

This two-year qualification exposes you to the whole industry, and the opportunities within it. On completion, it is likely that
you will enter the industry by working within an animal welfare organisation, a veterinary practice, a wildlife park or perhaps a business such as a pet store, feed company or dog grooming salon. As you will have gained a breadth and depth of skills and knowledge over a wide range of units, you could progress within work to become a:

• Animal Centre/Unit Manager
• Animal Centre Deputy Manager
• Pet Store Manager
• Kennel & Cattery Supervisor/Manger
• Pet Sitter
• Dog Walker
• Trainee zoo keeper
• Trainee aquarist
• Research assistant
• Trainee animal husbandry technician
• Lab technician
• Veterinary practice lab assistant

Learners can progress to university courses in related subjects such as animal behaviour, animal science, conservation science, veterinary nursing, zoology, marine biology, biological sciences.
Previous learners have gained places at universities including Newcastle University, Bangor, Harper Adams, Chester, Bishop Burton, Askham Bryan, Liverpool John Moores, and Royal Veterinary College.

Direct Entry: 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above including English Maths & Science. Due to the practical nature of the compulsory course assessments, you must be physically able to carry out practical tasks by yourself after proper training.

Progressive Entry: Level 2 Technical Certificate achieved at a Merit. Either GCSE maths or English achieved at Grade 4 or above, with the other subject achieved at a minimum of grade 3.

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

East Durham College's Houghall Campus is committed to providing a supportive and welcoming environment for all our students. The campus, some of which is over 80 years old, has seen over £40m invested in new facilities over recent years. However, there are still some aspects of the site which are not fully accessible and would cause an issue for those with limited mobility or wheelchair users and due to the nature of the site, adjustments may not always be reasonable at this stage. The College is committed to further investment and improvements of the site, as we work towards ensuring the campus is as accessible as possible. If you have limited mobility or are a wheelchair user and wish to undertake a course at the Houghall Campus, please contact Student Services on 0191 375 4710 in the first instance to discuss your needs and options.

Year 1
• One external set, externally marked exam.
• One externally set, externally moderated synoptic assessment (combining theory and practical)
• Specialist unit assignments
• 150 hours industry placement

Year 2
• One external set, externally marked exam.
• One externally set, externally moderated synoptic assessment (combining theory and practical)
• Specialist unit assignments
• One large specialist investigative project

September 2025

1 year, full-time - with the expectation to move onto the second year Extended Diploma.