Animal Management (Zoo and Wildlife Conservation) with Foundation Year

Learn about the zoo industry, wildlife management, and breeding and conservation efforts, in the UK and internationally.

If you’re passionate about zoo animals and wildlife and want to support breeding and conservation efforts, our industry-focused course is designed to give you the knowledge and skills to pursue a successful career.

As well as hands-on learning with animals, you’ll study a range of modules that cover animal health, zoo management and conservation. It’s ideal if you’re interested in a career in roles such as zoo keeping, zoo nutrition or wildlife education.

You’ll be taught by subject-specialist staff, and benefit from campus facilities including dedicated canine and equine centres, a small animal unit and a working farm. Throughout your course, there’s the chance to join ‘behind the scenes’ trips and other experiences.

We offer a number of animal management degrees at ARU in Writtle, with a common first year and the chance to specialise in years 2-3. With our Animal Management (Zoo and Wildlife Conservation) course, your focus will be on genetics, biotechnology and animal growth alongside core topics of behaviour, nutrition and health.

There are a number of ways to study this course. As well as our 3-year full-time degree (6 years part-time), you have the option of studying over:

1 year to gain a Certificate in Higher Education

4 years including a foundation year, to gain a BSc (or 8 years part-time)

1 year to top-up your existing qualification to a full BSc

All BSc students study the same modules (with the addition of foundation year modules for those taking the 4-year course). Cert HE students study Year 1 BSc modules, Top-Up students study Year 3 BSc modules.