- Duration
1 Year Full Time or
2 Years Part Time- Location
- Plumpton College
Course Overview
If you are looking to top-up your degree to help you on your career journey working in animal conservation, then this is the ideal course for you. On our immersive degree programme, you will learn about the latest scientific techniques and technological advancements in the field of animal conservation, with a focus on how these approaches are being used to ensure the long-term protection of animal species in captivity and the wild.
Embarking on this course will enable you to critically explore the historical, current and emerging threats to wild animals and natural ecosystems, with an emphasis on the key issues impacting global biodiversity. You will also gain applied understanding of the practical solutions currently being employed by conservationists to prevent animal extinction, from the importance of captive breeding programmes in zoos to the effectiveness of satellite monitoring of animal species in the wild.
At Plumpton College, you’ll will benefit from working directly with a wide variety of animal species at our Animal Education Centre, building your practical experience of conservation management techniques and working in a zoological environment. You will have an excellent opportunity on this programme to develop your industry awareness and professional network, through participating in a range of engaging field trips and external visits. Our industry-focused degree programme has been designed to help you develop the applied skills and technical knowledge you’ll need to progress and be successful in a variety of roles within the field of animal conservation.
- Equip yourself with an applied understanding of global conservation issues and develop a critical understanding of the tools and solutions being used to tackle these challenges.
- Advance your technical skills in animal husbandry and knowledge of captive conservation approaches, working with over 100 species at Plumpton’s Animal Education Centre.
- Study in the heart of the South Downs National Park, with access to a range of protected habitats on Plumpton College’s 800-hectare estate.
- Develop your industry awareness and professional network, through participating in a range of immersive field trips and visits to zoological collections.
Modules
- Research Project (30 credits)
- Advanced Animal Husbandry and Management (15 credits)
- Advances in Zoo Science and Conservation (15 credits)
- Animal Ecophysiology and Climate Change (15 credits)
- Human-Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence (15 credits)
- Public Engagement, Education and Communication (15 credits)
- Reintroduction and Rewilding Science (15 credits)
Assessment
A diverse range of summative assessment methods are integrated into the programme to provide an engaging and inclusive experience for learners. Some key methods include reports, essays, case studies, presentations (oral and poster), project work, portfolios and practical assessments. All assessments have been designed to be industry-relevant, and where possible, reflective of real-world scenarios and working practices.
Some assessments will have a student-led design element, enabling learners to negotiate with the module leader on how they undertake their work. Equally, assessments will provide students with flexibility in terms of the case studies or examples they chose, enabling you to explore your own personal and professional interests via your studies. Across all modules on the programme, formative assessment approaches are also utilised to support reflective practice and encourage personal improvement. This includes the use of peer-assessment activities, mock examinations, quizzes, role play activities and examination of model answers.
Practical learning
As a student on this programme, you will benefit from learning at Plumpton College’s Animal Education Centre, which has recently undergone a multi-million-pound redevelopment. The Animal Education Centre will provide you with an opportunity to enhance your animal husbandry and collection management skills, alongside building your understanding of ex-situ species conservation within the zoological environment.
Student support
Higher Education students who have a learning difficulty, disability and/or ongoing health condition may be able to access reasonable adjustments to support their studies. Support is available to help students apply and access Disabled Student Allowance through either the Inclusive Learning and Development Department or the HE Office. One to one tutorial support is available through academic tutors.
The Library boasts a collection of over 8,000 books, covering a range of key subject areas within land-based curriculum. The Library also provides students with access to a variety of magazines, periodicals and academic journals through online databases.
Learning technology is central to the learning experience of students at Plumpton College and therefore is supported by dedicated staff within the College Teaching and Learning Team. The responsibilities of this team are to help support students with learning technology to enhance the overall learning experience.
Entry Requirements
- Successful completion (Pass or above) of an FdSc in Animal Science, Zoology, Conservation, Animal Management or a related discipline (e.g. veterinary science).
- Students with a relevant HND or equivalent qualification (Level 5) in these disciplines will also be considered.
- Students with English as a second language will be required to have gained IELTS with a Level 6.5 overall with Level 6.0 in writing
What is it like to be a student on this course?
Future Opportunities & Career Progression
Graduates from the course will be equipped to pursue careers in the following areas of employment with the animal conservation industry:
- Animal education
- Biodiversity management
- Ecological consultancy
- Nature recovery and Climate change resilience
- Policy and advocacy
- Rewilding and habitat restoration
- Wildlife Surveying and monitoring
- Wildlife tourism
- Wildlife Management
- Zoological collection management
- Zoo education and engagement
- Zoo conservation and science
In addition, graduates could choose to further specialise at postgraduate level, across a range of disciplines within zoology and conservation.
Bursaries
Students aged 18+ studying any of our University Courses could be entitled to financial support depending on eligibility criteria which could help fund travel, accommodation, course equipment, or more.
Find out more:
Course Fees
Full-time University Course tuition fees are £9,000 per year, or £10,800 for accelerated degrees. Veterinary Physiotherapy tuition fees are £8,000 per year for full-time University Course students.
Tuition fees for part-time University Course students is £4,500 per year.
All University Course students pay a standard facility fee to use communal, non-educational facilities of £150.
Student Finance England provides financial support for students entering higher and postgraduate education in the UK, on behalf of the Government. Learn more here.
Equipment/ PPE
Students studying a University Course may be required to purchase equipment such as a uniform, PPE, or kit before starting their course.