Zoological Animal Management Diploma

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LOCATION & START DATE
Duchy College Stoke Climsland - 8 September 2025
LEVEL
Level 3 Levels Explained
DURATION
2 Years
LEARNING AREA
Animal Management & Veterinary Nursing Find out more
ATTENDANCE
Full-time

Course information

Our Level 3 Animal Management Diploma at Duchy College is an exciting stepping stone on your way to a rewarding career working with animals.

This course can be studied as a one year Advanced Diploma in Animal Management Diploma or as a two year Extended Advanced Diploma in Animal Management, and we will work with you to decide which option will be the best choice for you.

Our state of the art animal management centres at Duchy College Rosewarne and Duchy College Stoke Climsland provide dedicated access to a huge range of animal species such as small mammals, exotics, birds, aquatics, and farm animals. Learners will also have the opportunity to visit and access real industry environments across the South West.

Caring for animals can be an extremely fulfilling and rewarding career; from working in kennels and catteries to wildlife rescue, there are a wide range of careers available upon successful completion of the course. Completing this course will allow you to start your career in the animal care industry or prepare you for University.

If you find an area of study you love whilst completing the course you can choose to go on to further study at University and qualify as an animal nutritionist, behaviourist or conservationist.

We offer a Zoo Animal Management pathway at Level 3, which is perfect if you would like a career caring for animals in a zoo-based setting. We work in partnership with a range of animal collections to ensure you gain the practical, real-life experience that employers look for.

In you first year you will study subjects such as feeding and nutrition, behaviour, welfare and small animal rehabilitation. As part of some units, as well alongside others, you will have the opportunity to gain practical skills and put your new knowledge into use! We also offer a range of trips; this range from day trips to local animal attractions all the way up to an amazing chance to travel to Africa and assist the Conservation effort.

There will also be lots of opportunities to build your confidence, use your initiative and develop your skills which will help you progress in the next stage of your life whatever you chose to go on to do.

You will need to achieve 5 GCSE’s at grade 4 or above which must include English, Math and Science.

You will also be required to gain a work experience placement.

In Year One of your Level 3 course you will be required to complete 150 hours of Work Experience. In Year Two you will be required to complete 315 hours as part of an Industry Placement. You can gain your work experience hours in any animal-based role. This can include veterinary surgeries, pet shops, zoos, kennels or animal rescue centres. As part of your Work Experience module you will need to complete a portfolio of evidence for your time with the employer including personal setting of targets, recording your daily tasks and going through work reviews. Clover, 17, completed her work experience at Maria’s Animal Shelter. “My work experience placement at Maria’s really has been life changing, I have learnt lots and continuing learning about animal care and welfare. It has helped me really grow as a person and feel more confident. I know now what I want to do with my life and it’s to work in animal rescue. I am looking forward to completing my apprenticeship at Maria’s and the college and I am excited about where it might lead to in the future.” Evangeline, 19, wants to work in either farming or animal rehabilitation and completed her work experience at Wetherham Kennels. “Completing work experience at Wetherham Kennels was very interesting and enjoyable. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the dogs, getting to know each personality. My knowledge expanded greatly, from different husbandry methods to dog behaviours and traits. Due to the size and nature of the kennels it was nice to spend one to one time with the dogs in a calm and stress-free environment. I have learnt different cleaning methods and the importance of excellent hygiene, as well as different handling techniques and strategies for different dogs. I also realised that I am more than capable of carrying out duties on my own. Work experience with Cornwall College has allowed me to build self-confidence and get the ‘hands-on’ experience I wanted. The team from both the college and the placement were always supportive, polite, kind and caring. Thank you!”

You will be assessed in a variety of ways, including a synoptic assessment, exam, and coursework. End of year exam: There will be a 1.5 hour question paper to sit around Easter in both Year 1 and Year 2 that will test your knowledge on the mandatory units. Synoptic Assessment: This will be a number of small tasks for you to complete within a time frame under exam conditions. This could include both written and practical elements. Other assessments: In addition to your end test and your synoptic assessment, you will also undertake a short Health and Safety test and a longer Biology test. You will also be required to complete some written assignments for the other modules, which aren’t assessed through examination. Work Experience Portfolio: You will need to complete a portfolio of evidence for your time with the employer.

On completion we will help support your next steps, and what ever your aspiration we can help you on the path to achieving it; whether that’s owning your own business, becoming a vet or working in conservation in Africa. Want to go to University? You could study subjects, such as Conservation or Animal Health or could decide to specialise and go onto study in a related area, such as Veterinary Nursing. Want to get straight into Industry? You will be qualified for a wide range of jobs such as an Animal Care Assistant, Kennel worker or Pet shop assistant.

Duchy College Stoke Climsland

Duchy College Stoke Climsland

Set on stunning rolling hillsides, our campus epitomises the very best of land-based education. The recent addition of the £4 million Future Farm research facility means students and businesses are at the heart of the next evolution of environmental farming. Whether it’s a love of horses, sport, protective services, heavy machinery or animal care, nobody forgets their time at Duchy College Stoke Climsland. It’s time to secure your #careercollege experience.


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Courses listed on this website are indicative of the subject, nature and level of study. The College reserves the right to alter specific qualifications titles, awarding bodies and levels of qualification, which can change in year. Any cost may also vary, based on personal funding eligibility. The Cornwall College Group reserves the right to withdraw any course listed at any time.

Zoological Animal Management Diploma Level 3 Duchy College Stoke Climsland AnimalManagement, AnimalCare, AnimalHealth, Conservation
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