Skip to content

Animal Management Level 3 Extended Diploma

Start year

Information for 2025

About this course

Learn about animal-related subjects, including biology, health, nutrition, behaviour and breeding. You’ll also develop practical skills for handling and caring, and gain the knowledge needed to start your career within the animal industry, or for further study.

Download a course brochure

  • Brackenhurst is set in stunning countryside just a bus ride away from Nottingham city centre, next to the town of Southwell.
  • At Brackenhurst, you’ll have access to incredible facilities. These include an Animal Unit, Equestrian Centre, laboratories, library and gardens and fields that are overflowing with plants and wildlife.
  • Studying with us means that you’ll be a part of an amazing learning environment. You get all the perks of being part of a big university, but you will still enjoy the comforts of a friendly college.
  • Our courses have great progression routes to further study. You can even study one of NTU’s degrees right here at Brackenhurst, and may be eligible to receive an offer one grade lower than the standard entry tariff.

What you’ll study

You'll take part in practical hands-on lessons and learn about a wide range of animals, using our fantastic facilities. You'll also develop knowledge and skills about animal-related subjects and have the chance to go on trips to different locations to learn about the animal industry.

Animal Biology

In this module, learners will understand the structure and function of skeletal systems and sensory organs and how these have been adapted to meet the needs of animals living in different environments.

Animal Health and Disease

In this module, learners study to recognise the signs of good and ill health in animals and to carry out health checks on animals and produce animal health plans.

Animal Behaviour

In this module, learners will develop knowledge and skills to interpret animal behaviour and understand the factors which influence such behaviour.

Practical Animal Husbandry

In this module, learners study how to handle and care for a wide variety of domestic and companion animals.

Exotic Animal Husbandry

In this module, learners will understand about health, welfare, handling, restraint, nutrition and feeding in exotic animals in captivity.

Animal Welfare and Ethics

In this module, learners will study about the ethics, regulations and legislation associated with animal welfare in animal-related industries.

Work-Related Experience in the Animal Sector

In this module, learners will develop important knowledge and skills that relate to employment in the environmental and land-based sector.

Animal Breeding and Genetics

In this module, learners study the science of genes and genetic factors  influencing the management of breeding animal.  Learners will develop skills to evaluate and care for breeding stock and offspring.

Investigative Research Project

In this module, learners study the principles and purpose of research in the animal sector and develop skills needed to conduct their own small -scale research project.

Principles of Animal Nursing

In this module, learners will explore the work of a veterinary practice, including staff roles, responsibilities, procedures and basic nursing skills.

Zoological Animal Health and Husbandry

In this module, learners study the specialist husbandry skills needed to work with zoo collections, including accommodation, safe handling methods and maintenance of animal health and welfare.

Human and Animal Interaction

In this module, learners will develop their skills in animal training, learners will design and implement a training programme to meet a desired goal.

In addition to the core modules above, you will follow one of our two specialist pathways:

Welfare pathway*

Animal Boarding Establishments

In this module, learners study the range of animal boarding establishments available to support the demands of customers, reflecting ever changing lifestyles.

Farm Livestock Husbandry

In this module, learners study the breadth and purposes of farm livestock in the UK, including husbandry techniques required to maintain animal welfare and productivity.

Developing an Enterprise in the Animal Management Sector

In this module, learners will develop their knowledge and study the practical skills needed to set up an new enterprise In the animal sector.

Science pathway*

Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Management

In this module, learners study the methods and skills needed to investigate habitats and to carry out wildlife habitat improvements and wildlife rehabilitation.

Animal Metabolism

In this module, learners study the biochemical basis of metabolic reactions in animals.

Advanced Animal Nutrition

In this module, learners study the biological molecules essential for animals to survive and how animal nutrition can be practically managed for optimum health, welfare and performance.

Practical Skills in Animal Science

In this module, learners develop  the  practical skills necessary to carry out and report on scientific investigations in the laboratory.

*modules subject to change

We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.

Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves

Student Profiles

Joshua Herring

Animal Management

I would recommend this course because it is very informative if you do not know what kind of career you would want to go into after college.

Jaiden Nelson

Animal Management

I think Brackenhurst and Nottingham Trent as a whole is great as they listen to what students have to say.

Denize Damar

Animal Management

I feel free and I get treated like an adult. I really enjoy it and it is nice being on a university campus.

Emma Lockley

Animal Management

I would recommend Brackenhurst because it’s a very supportive college/university that is always supporting you as a student and has lots of facilities to help you through studying for your course.

Video Gallery

Take a look at why you should study your college course at Brackenhurst. You can also learn more about the equipment you'll use and what you'll study on the course with our facility tour video.
 

How you're taught

You’ll learn in our fantastic facilities and be taught by tutors who have real-life experience of working within the animal industry. You can expect the course to be split so that approximately 30% is practical work and 70% is theory work. You’ll be taught through lectures, group discussions and practical demonstrations. You’ll also get to go on trips to different locations, including Crufts Dog Show at the National Exhibition Centre, Twycross Zoo and Yorkshire Wildlife Park.

The course includes a work placement. This allows you to develop your skills and knowledge in the animal industry, and looks good to future employers. You can work at places like Cats Protection, Twycross Zoo, RSPCA, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, Stonebridge City Farm and more.

How you’ll be assessed

You’ll be assessed through a portfolio of evidence and external written assignments, practical assessments and exams.

Staff Profiles

Sarah Heckford - Subject Leader

School of Animal Rural & Environmental Sciences

Sarah Heckford is a the Subject Leader for the Level 2 Diploma in Animal Care and Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management courses.

Careers and employability

After completing this course there are a number of options and routes that you can take. You could choose to continue your studies and go onto a higher education course or pursue a career in an animal-related industry.

Future jobs within the animal industry include:

  • Animal Carer Assistant- you can earn up to £21,000
  • Welfare Assistant - you can earn up to £21,000
  • Veterinary Nurse - you can earn up to £25,000
  • Laboratory Assistant - you can earn up to £23,000
  • Industry Sales Person - you can earn up to £27,000

Higher Education

Our animal courses have great progression routes to further study. You can even study one of NTU’s degrees right here at Brackenhurst, including FdSc Veterinary Nursing, BSc (Hons) Animal Biology or BSc (Hons) Zoo Biology.

Placement opportunities

Work placements are a great way to broaden your knowledge and skills. You will have the opportunity the take part in work experience in a range of different animal related sectors.

With our great links with industry you'll have the opportunity to work in areas such as:

  • Veterinary Centres
  • Boarding Kennels
  • Rescue Centres
  • Catteries
  • Zoo's

NTU Enterprise

You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.

Campus and facilities

Study an animal course at Brackenhurst and you’ll have access to some fantastic facilities.

Our specially designed Animal Unit is home to over 250 animals from around 70 different species. These include small animals such as rabbits, cats, dogs, reptiles and birds, as well as larger animals like goats and donkeys. All our animal courses include hands-on, practical lessons at the unit. You’ll also help our technicians to care for the animals on a day-to-day basis.

As well as your subject-specific facilities, you’ll also find:

  • a library, including fully equipped computer rooms
  • modern classrooms and teaching areas
  • laboratories
  • our careers and employability service
  • a dining room and Costa Coffee
  • our student shop
  • a common room.

Entry requirements

UK students

For 2025 entry you'll need:

  • Four GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above including:
    • Science
    • Maths or English language (with the other subject at grade 3 / D or above).
  • If you do not yet have a grade 4 / C in English language or maths you will need to complete GCSE retakes as part of your study programme.

A Level 2 Technical qualification or other equivalent qualifications will be considered.

You will also be required to attend an interview.

International students

We welcome applications from international students who do not require a student route visa. Please email our FE Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 5299 to discuss how your qualifications match our course requirements.

Fees and funding

UK students

- see the fees for this course, as well as information about funding and support.

If you are aged 16-18 and applying for a Level 2 or 3 course

There are no course fees if you’re aged under 19 on 31 August of the year you start your course.

If you are aged 19+ and applying for a Level 2, Level 3 or Access to Higher Education course

If you’re studying your first full Level 3 or Access to Higher Education qualification, you may be eligible for free tuition. You will still need to pay the registration fee applicable for your course.

If you are applying for the Level 2 qualification or have already completed a full Level 3 qualification, tuition and registration fees will apply.

To cover the cost of tuition when applying for a Level 3 and Access to Higher Education qualification, you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan from the UK Government. It is easy to apply, your household income is not taken into account, and there is no credit check. You will not have to pay anything back until your income is over £25,000.

Please see our fees and funding information for more details.

International students

- see the fees for this course, as well as payment advice and scholarships.

Please email our FE Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 5299 for more information on fees and funding.

Please note, college courses are not available for EU or international students where a student route visa is required to study.

However, we offer Foundation and Pre-Masters pathway courses leading onto selected Bachelors and Masters degrees at the University through our partner Nottingham Trent International College.

We accept qualifications from schools, colleges and universities all over the world for entry onto our degrees. If you’re not sure how your international qualifications match our course requirements, please visit our international qualifications page.

How to apply

Applying for a college course at Brackenhurst is really simple. You can apply via our online form and there's a step-by-step guide below for you to use.

Step 1: choose your course

Use our college course guide and the information on our website to find the course that's right for you. We also recommend attending one of our open days, which will help you get a feel for what it's like to study here.

Step 2: fill in an application form

Fill in our online application form. Remember to show your passion for your chosen subject in your personal statement.

If you need any help with the form, email fe.enquiries@ntu.ac.uk or call +44 (0)115 848 5299 and our friendly team will be able to assist you.

Step 3: come for an interview

If you meet the criteria for the course, we'll invite you for an interview. We'll send you details of what will happen on the day in advance via email. Interviews will take place online. We may also ask you to provide a video of you working practically, or complete a written task.

Our advice for the interview is to be yourself. We just want to get to know you. We want to know what interests you, why you want to take the course, and what your potential aspirations are.

Don't panic. Our administrative team will guide you through the process. Our tutors are really friendly, and they'll help you with any questions you may have.

Find out more about your interview.

Step 4: get your offer

We'll email and let you know how you got on at the interview. Hopefully we'll be able to offer you a place on the course. This offer might be conditional on your upcoming exam results — your GCSEs, for example — and to obtaining satisfactory references.

Step 5: accept your offer

You need to tell us that you want to accept your offer. Please do so by emailing fe.enquiries@ntu.ac.uk or calling +44 (0)115 848 5299.

Step 6: get your exam results

If you're taking GCSEs or other qualifications, you'll get your results over the summer. Once you've got your results you need to let us know what they are by calling +44 (0)115 848 5299. Then we can confirm your place.

Step 7: start your course

We'll send out all the information you need to start with us by email. We hold an enrolment day in the first week of September. You'll be able to get your student ID, start meeting your new friends and tutors, and get used to your new campus.

If you have any questions

Drop us a line — we're here to help every step of the way. You can email fe.enquiries@ntu.ac.uk or call +44 (0)115 848 5299.

Please email fe.enquiries@ntu.ac.uk or call +44 (0)115 848 5299 our FE team for more information on how to apply.