Level 4-5 Animal Management Foundation Degree (FdSc) 2025-26

UCAS code is: DN32
Institution code: S84
Campus name: East Durham College
Campus code: P

This Foundation Degree course is delivered in partnership with the University of Sunderland. The above fee is per year, please note it is not available for free to 16-18s. You can apply for a student loan to cover the cost of this course. Please visit the University of Sunderland website, to check up to date fee information via this link: https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/study/pharmacy-pharmaceutical-and-cosmetic… as they set the course fee.

This programme aims to provide learners with a robust foundation of knowledge to prepare them for employment within this diverse and varied sector.

Learners will study a variety of animal-related topics including the fundamentals of animal husbandry and health, introduction to animal biological sciences, conservation and academic skill development. These topics will be studied using a combination of theory and practical sessions delivered by industry experts and designed to contextualise and develop professional skills within the animal management sector.

The programme provides the underpinning theoretical knowledge to inform practical activity and will develop practical skills in animal husbandry, collection management and supervisory skills, alongside the relevant academic and research skills expected for further study at level 6 and for graduate employment.

Practical activities will consist of unique opportunities to work with a range of animal taxa across relevant industries (zoos, animal centres and farms), where they will gain hands-on experience with industry experts ranging from animal carers to conservationists amongst others.

Integrated within this programme are work placements where learners will be allocated a position in real animal management establishments, providing learners with experience to further develop their skills to meet industry standards, and aims to help learners stand out to future employers.

East Durham College work with Project Wild Gambia and there may be opportunities for an optional self funded trip in year 2 to West Africa to get involved in the work East Durham College do with this conservation project.

This programme is ideal for learners who wish to study and work with animals in a range of contexts and those who wish to go on to further study or employment within the animal management sector.

This Foundation Degree is taught at East Durham College’s Houghall Campus in Durham. You can then 'top-up' to a full honours degree at East Durham College too.

Foundation Degrees differ from honours degrees because they are designed with the help of employers to reflect the needs of industry and commerce. They usually take two years to complete, compared to the three or four years of most honours degrees.

Why us?

• Study at East Durham College’s stunning 470- acre Houghall Campus in Durham.

• Course content has been carefully designed with students and employers to enhance your employability with modules delivered in conjunction with local and regional employers.

• A strongly vocational programme with employability as a key focus with a mix of academic discussion and real world case studies to expand critical thought and discussion.

• Opportunity to ‘top up’ this course to a full BSc (Hons) degree with an extra year of study.

Foundation degrees combine academic study with work-based learning and you have the opportunity to learn in the workplace as well as the classroom.

Teaching methods include practical sessions at the college and in industry settings, lectures, discussions, case studies and workshops. We also encourage you to develop independent study skills.

Assessment methods include evaluation of work experience, reports, presentations and practical tests.

Year 1 (National level 4):
• Animal Health (15 Credits)
• Animal Welfare (15 Credits)
• Animal Behaviour (15 Credits)
• Developing Academic Skills (15 Credits)
• Animal Husbandry (30 Credits)
• Comparative Anatomy and Physiology (30 Credits)

Year 2 Final year of Foundation degree (National level 5):
• Animal Nutrition (15 credits)
• Animal Legislation and Ethics (15 Credits)
• Animal Therapy and Rehabilitation (15 Credits)
• Industry Development and Supervisory Skills (15 Credits)
• Advanced Animal Management (15 Credits)
• Research Methods in Animal Science (15 Credits)
• Biodiversity and Conservation (30 Credits)

Our courses are continually updated so that they are relevant to employers' needs. This helps make sure you are ready for a new role or promotion.

Potential employers include zoos, the RSPCA, overseas wildlife conservation organisations, recreation services, the Police, local authorities, and schools and colleges.

Job roles include the following (some require further training):
• Animal Collection Manager
• Zoo Keeper
• Animal Scientist
• Research Officer
• Education Manager
• Animal Welfare Management
• Animal Trainer
• Animal Handler

You will have the opportunity to undertake work-based learning opportunities in both years of the course either at the college or with a local employer. They're great opportunities to make connections with potential employers and build up your CV.

The College are developing a top up in BSc (Hons) Animal Management which will provide natural progression from this Foundation Degree. If you decide to follow this route, you can gain an honours degree with just one more year of full-time study.

64 UCAS tariff points from Level 3 or equivalent qualifications, which must include at least one biology unit at level 3.

We also require a minimum of five GCSE subjects at grade 4 including English, Maths and Science (preferably Biology) (or equivalent Level 2 qualification). If you have studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade then you will need to achieve a grade 4 or above.

Further considerations:
Applicants where English is not the first language will require IELTS overall grade 6.0 (with no element below 5.5).

Substantial relevant experience considered individually where UCAS tariff is not met.

Our offer of a place will take into account any relevant employment experience.

Applicants without formal qualifications may qualify for entry through relevant work-based experience. Applicants may be asked to attend an interview and present a portfolio of evidence.

If English is not your first language, please see the university's English language requirements:

https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/help/applying/entry-requirements/what-engl…

Further Important Information:

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.

September 2025

Full time, two years.