14May
Virtual and digitalUniversity Centre Reaseheath has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
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Course summary
Would you love an exciting and rewarding career in the zoo industry? At UCR you benefit from a unique combination of academic study with industry focused training in the management of zoo animals. The course includes career-focused modules such as captive breeding and record keeping, zoo animal training and animal health and disease, plus you will have extensive access to our wide range of exotic species including primates, small carnivores, reptiles, amphibians and birds of prey. Our lecturers have many years of experience working in the diversity of roles zoos can offer, and they bring this passion and knowledge to the classroom. After studying our foundation degree, you can progress onto our Zoo Management top-up, which is an opportunity for zoo biologists and animal scientists to explore more specialist modules within zoos and conservation. These include zoo enclosure design, conservation education and animal enrichment. Course Features
- Access to our on-campus zoo, which housing over 1,000 animals and 125 species including ring-tailed lemurs, porcupines, raccoon dogs, otters, tapir, capybaras, owls, hawks, bearded dragons, kingsnakes, dart frogs, marine fish and much more
- Volunteer staff opportunities at our on-site zoo
- Directly transferable skills such as exotic animal husbandry, zoo nutrition, conservation education and use of the ZIMS (Zoological Information Management Systems) software
- The opportunity to engage in overseas field courses to a range of localities in Africa and Europe
- Zookeeper
- Curator
- Conservation biologist
- Registrar
- Conservation education or outreach officer
- Animal consultancy
- Scientific research
Modules
Level 4 • Introduction to Scientific Communication • Animal Husbandry and Handling • Zoos and Conservation • Animal Anatomy and Physiology • Evolution and Adaptation • Introduction to Animal Behaviour Level 5 • Experiential Learning • Research Methods • Zoo Animal Nutrition • Captive Breeding and Record Keeping • Zoo Animal Training* • Zoo Animal Welfare* • Animal Health and Disease*
- Denotes optional modules
Assessment method
We design a wide range of assessments that will help you to develop industry standard skills and knowledge. In your first year, the assessments consist of a combination on timed online assessments, of multiple-choice questions and short essays, practical assessments and presentations and written coursework. This written coursework can be in the form of reports, essays or posters, depending on the module. For Husbandry and Handling, there are assessed practical sessions, reflections and talks. For Introduction to Scientific Communications, there are quizzes based on the application of statistical software. In your second year, there will be some variation, depending on the optional modules chosen, but there will again be a combination of timed online assessments and written coursework. This coursework may take the form of a report using the ZIMS (Zoological Information Management System) software, or be based on laboratory practical sessions. For Experiential Learning or Work-based Learning, you will be creating a reflective portfolio, while for Research Methods, you will be writing a proposal and using statistical software to analyse data.
How to apply
31Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- D328
- Institution code:
- R14
- Campus name:
- University Centre Reaseheath
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 64 points
A level
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MPP
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher - CCC
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 24 points
T Level - Pass (D or E)
Mature students (aged 21+) will be considered on an individual basis on their prior knowledge and experience. This may be assessed by interview, completion of coursework/essay or other methods. There may be a requirement for a formal qualification to be completed first e.g. Access to HE course.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://ucreaseheath.ac.uk/ucr-courses/foundation-degree-in-zoo-management/
English language requirements
For full details on English Language requirements please visit the University Centre Reaseheath website
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| EU | £13000 | Year 1 |
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
| International | £13000 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Students may be offered the chance to engage in both domestic and overseas learning opportunities with which to enhance their classroom-based learning experience. These may include opportunities to study zoological collections in Europe, as well as undertaking conservation field courses in locations such as Africa and the UK.
The main emphasis placed on these field courses is the development of professional, industry relevant skills and the application of students’ knowledge in a novel, stimulating, yet challenging environment. Costs associated with the field courses range from £500 – £1000 (UK & Europe), and between £2,200 – £2,800 (Africa). Please note that precise pricing of all field courses is subject to change, pending availability and recruitment.
Students may also wish to purchase their own personal copies of recommended set-texts to assist them with their studies. A full list of recommended text’s is made available prior to enrolment. However, our campus library boasts sufficient stocks of all major texts to support student learning, frequently in e-book format, and the purchasing of texts is therefore not enforced.
**Equipment Costs**
* Boiler suit: £20-£30 OR UCR Polo shirt (£12)/UCR Sweatshirt (£16) + work trousers (£15-£20)
* Steel toe capped boots: from £30
* Lab coat: £13-£20
* USB drive: from £5
Prices of equipment are subject to change dependent on retailer.
Provider information
University Centre Reaseheath
Reaseheath
Nantwich
CW5 6DF