Female student smiling at camera whilst petting goat

Animal Care, Science & Management

With daily, on-site access to a huge range of species, our Animal Care Centre has everything you need to start your career in animal care.

Houghall Campus

Choose your course

Turn your passion for animals into a rewarding career with our range of Animal Care courses designed to give you the skills, knowledge and practical experience employers are looking for.

Based at our Houghall Campus, you’ll study in dedicated facilities and gain hands-on experience working with a variety of animal species. Our on-site Animal Care Centre and full Houghall estate and farm access mean animals are part of your everyday learning, giving you regular opportunities for specialist animal handling experience alongside your theory learning.

Guided by our experienced teaching team, you’ll learn about animal health and welfare, nutrition, behaviour, handling and management, as well as the science behind animal care – including anatomy, physiology and behaviour.

Why study Animal Care at East Durham College?

Train in our specialist Animal Care Centre, with access to a wide range of species including small mammals, reptiles, livestock, aquatics and more
Develop practical, hands-on skills through regular animal handling and management experience
Study with the highest performing specialist land-based training provider in the North and 5th nationally for achievement rates (DfE National Achievement Rate Tables 2024/25)

Study to Degree Level

In partnership with the University of Sunderland, you can progress into higher education through our Animal Management degree programmes. That means you can continue studying at our Houghall Campus while earning a university-awarded qualification, with progression from Foundation Degree level to a full honours degree.

If you’re ready to take your study further and develop your knowledge through degree-level study, view our Higher Education courses.

Any queries for the FdSc Animal Management course can be made to the course team by contacting either:
Rebecca Sweet (Higher Education Course Leader) MSc, BSc (Hons): rebecca.sweet@eastdurham.ac.uk
James Mulvany (Programme Area Lead Animal Higher Education) BSc PGCE FHEA: james.mulvany@eastdurham.ac.uk

Visit EDC

East Durham College's Houghall campus Animal Care Building

Come to Our Next Animal Care Open Event!

One of the best ways to find out if a course in animal care is for you is to come to our next open event! We run these throughout the year and we'd love to see you there.

Click Here To Find Out When Our Next Open Event Is