Mandatory units:

Unit 1: Understanding the Principles of Animal Welfare

Unit 2: Animal Biology and Husbandry

Unit 3: Animal Health and Disease

Unit 4: Animal Behaviour and Training

Unit 5: Work Experience in the Animal Sector

Optional units:

• Equine Management
• Animal Nutrition
• Laboratory Animal Science
• Wildlife Conservation
• Animal Breeding and Genetics
• Animal Shelter Management
• Canine Behaviour and Training
• Exotic Animal Care

• GCSEs at grades 4 or above: This typically includes English, maths and science or level 2 qualification in animal management.
• Good communication and writing skills: The course involves writing reports, assignments, and presentations, so strong communication is essential.
• Demonstrated interest in animal care: Evidence of work experience, volunteering, or personal projects related to animals can strengthen your application.
• Basic numeracy skills: You'll need to be comfortable with calculations related to animal nutrition, medication, and record-keeping.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team: The course involves both individual and collaborative work.

The course utilizes a diverse range of assessment methods to evaluate your knowledge, skills, and abilities throughout the course. Here's a breakdown of the common assessment types:

• Written assignments: These typically involve essays, reports, research projects, or case studies, assessing your understanding of theoretical concepts and ability to analyse information.
• Presentations: You might present your findings, research, or practical work to your peers and tutors, assessing your communication, presentation skills, and knowledge application.
• Practical assessments: These involve demonstrating your practical skills in animal care tasks, such as feeding, grooming, handling, or training animals. They can be observed assessments, video recordings, or written reflections on your practical work.
• Projects: Individual or group projects allow you to delve deeper into specific topics, applying your knowledge and skills to solve problems or create solutions.

External assessments:

• Written exams: These standardized exams assess your theoretical knowledge and understanding of key concepts across different units.
• Synoptic assessments: These may involve written exams or practical tasks that integrate knowledge and skills from multiple units, testing your ability to apply what you've learned in a broader context.

Completing the Level 3 Animal Management National Diploma opens up a variety of exciting progression pathways for your future, depending on your aspirations and goals:

Employment:

Direct entry into various animal care roles: With the practical skills and knowledge gained, you can apply for entry-level positions in various settings like zoos, animal shelters, veterinary practices, kennels, catteries, aquariums, wildlife parks, research facilities, and animal training companies.

Progression to supervisory roles: After gaining experience and further qualifications, you can climb the career ladder and advance to supervisory roles in animal care settings.

Further studies:

Higher education: This diploma often serves as a springboard for higher education in related fields, such as animal science, veterinary nursing, zoo biology, wildlife conservation, animal behaviour, and equine science. You can pursue undergraduate degrees, foundation degrees, or higher national diplomas.

Professional qualifications: Depending on your chosen career path, you may seek professional qualifications in specific areas like canine behaviour training, animal nutrition, or laboratory animal science.

Entrepreneurship:

Start your own animal care business: With additional business acumen and experience, you can launch your own venture, like a dog walking service, pet sitting business, animal training consultancy, or small animal boarding facility.

Apprenticeships:

Animal care apprenticeships: You can embark on an apprenticeship program to gain further practical experience and earn qualifications while employed in the animal care sector.