The course is designed for students who are looking to enhance academic and practical skills, where the curriculum builds on existing knowledge and facilitates the application of learning to the practical land-based sector. The programme aims to promote and engage learning in students of all age groups and backgrounds and is of particular interest students wanting to continue their education in animal management, or existing animal professionals wanting to gain the academic qualifications often required for management within a land-based setting.Nescot is approved by The Open University as an appropriate organisation to offer higher education programmes leading to Open University validated awards.The Foundation Degree in Animal Management provides a progression route on to an honours degree in a related subject, as well as into employment. Many students at Nescot go on to complete the BSc (Hons) Top-up programme.Preparation for work is an integral part of the FD in Animal Management. The programme has been designed to enable students to develop their employability skills to support progression and success in the wide range of roles in the land=-based and animal management sectors.The department has functional links with employers to ensure the skills and knowledge acquired by students is appropriate to workplace requirements. Such links include Chessington Zoo and Sea Life Centre while Surrey Wildlife Trust’s Priest Hill Nature Reserve is a short walk from the campus.The ‘practice’ aspect of the programme is emphasised in taught material, practical activities and work based placements and assessments. The Nescot Animal Care Unit and other work place opportunities play a central role in developing practical skills in a safe learning environment, while also offering the students some autonomy to make decisions as they would in their own practice. All students are encouraged to gain animal related vocational experience throughout the year and are actively encouraged to gain additional continual professional development courses. They are also encouraged to explore the job market and possible career paths, and to consider attributes that employers look for in graduates above and beyond essential academic skills.In addition to developing subject specific skills some modules place emphasis on developing the transferable skills essential to successful employment. This includes oral and written communication and presentation skills, planning and organisation of tasks.Students will gain practical experience as well as developing their academic capabilities, thus opening more doors and opportunities within their career pathway. The emphasis is on hands-on professionalism in the management of animals. For example, students take part in every aspect of the lambing season in spring, including having the opportunity to join our team’s 24/7 rota of animal care and supervision.Animal welfare is central to every module.During each year of study you will be required to undertake work-based learning this can be either in a 3 week (per year) block or a one day a week basis. This is to help develop your practical transferable skills as well as to build upon your industry experience. Please refer to course specification below for further guidance.The animal care unit is home to a wide range of species, including livestock animals such as sheep and poultry domestic pet species such as rabbits and rodents and captive exotic species including reptiles and amphibians. The collection contains over 400 individuals ranging from mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. This will allow students to develop the practical skills necessary to successfully enter the animal and land-based industry across the range of taxa commonly kept in captive animal collections or as companion animals.
