Home » Courses » Animal Management Foundation Degree (FdSc) Full-time

Animal Management Foundation Degree (FdSc) Full-time

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Course Overview

Animal Management Foundation Degree (FdSc) Full-time

Our course is perfect for animal lovers looking to start a rewarding career in animal management! Located at Wigfield Farm, we offer a hands-on experience with over 60 animal species including livestock, meerkats, and reptiles. The course includes trips, expert teaching, and practical skills needed for a career in animal management. Validated by the University of Hull, this two-year program covers 12 modules and opens exciting career opportunities in the animal care sector.

You’ll be at college two days a week, on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9.00am until 4.00pm.

Year 1 Modules:

  • Anatomy and Physiology: Learn about animal physical support, movement, body systems, and reproduction.

  • Animal Behaviour: Study communication, feeding, and reproductive behaviours.

  • Animal Husbandry: Gain practical skills in handling and managing animals, focusing on husbandry and disease prevention.

  • Ecology and Conservation: Understand ecological concepts, conservation strategies, and managing British wildlife.

  • Professional Development and Academic Skills: Develop independent enquiry, data understanding, statistical application, and plan a second-year research project. Complete 100 hours of work experience.

  • Small Business Enterprise: Learn principles to set up your own business.

Year 2 Modules:

  • Collections Management: Learn about handling, restraint, and transportation of animals in various settings, including zoos and farms. Understand animal nutrition.

  • Animal Biology and Nutrition: Study cell structure, microbiology, and nutrition principles.

  • Research Project and Data Analysis: Conduct your research project, developing skills like independence and time management.

  • Animal Health and Genetics: Understand factors affecting animal health and genetics principles.

  • Animal Welfare Ethics and Law: Learn about welfare implications in animal industries, relevant legislation, and ethics.

  • Optional Modules: Animal Training and Invertebrate Zoology

Located at: Wigfield Farm campus

Course Start: September 2025

Course length: 2 Years

Study Mode: Full-time

Course Code: HANIAMFD

UCAS Course Code: DN32

Apply via UCAS

Awarding Body:

hull university logo

Course Fees and Funding

How much does the course cost?

£6,995 per year.

Other funding information

As a Higher Education student living in England you may be eligible for the non-means tested Tuition Fee Loan from the Government and a Maintenance Loan.

Students with children or dependant adults may qualify for a Childcare Grant or Adult Dependants' Grant. Students can apply for these at the same time as applying for a Maintenance Loan.

Remember: Eligible students will not have to pay tuition fees in advance and can apply for the Maintenance Loan before they start the course.

Visit the Student Finance page on the Government website for further details and to apply.

We offer a service to any student who has a diagnosis of anything persistent or long-term which might interfere with how they study and manage their day-to-day academic engagement. The service is flexible and shaped around the needs of each individual; it might be consistent support or intermittent support.


For further information please visit the Disability and Dyslexia Service (DDS) web page for more information.

Course Content

Students are required to have 48 UCAS points Plus Five GCSES at grade 4-9 (previously A*-C) including English Language and Science, and also Maths with a grade 3 or higher. Relevant paid or unpaid work experience of working with animals will be taken into consideration.

Assessment is by assignments, presentations, reports and tests. There is no formal end examination.

All students on Land-based programmes are required to wear standard uniform and also PPE for practical work in the form of steel toe capped boots and overalls.

Foundation Degree

There are several opportunities available, one of which is to carry on studying for a top-up degree (Level 6) in an animal-related subject.

Beyond College, there are many opportunities such as groomer, RSPCA, army dog handler, customs dog handler, equine or stable work, animal behaviourist, zoo keeper and animal technician.

Other Resources

For further details, please contact our Information Unit by calling 01226 216 123 or emailing: info@barnsley.ac.uk

Barnsley College has a range of sports opportunities for all students to take part in, gain professional training and compete nationally and internationally. We also have a state-of-the-art fitness village, the Sports Village, where students can make use of our fitness suite, spinning studio and classes for competitive rates.

Barnsley Sports Academy offers state-of-the-art facilities and diverse sports programs, enabling students to achieve academic and athletic excellence. Remember, you don't have to be studying Sport to join Barnsley Sports Academy.

Disclaimer: Please note we reserve the right to change details without notice. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

The course information on this page was last updated 19 May 2025.