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Applications for Sept 2027 are now open. If you are looking to join the college now, please contact us directly on: 

E: admissions@bishopburton.ac.uk

T: 01964 553000
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Animal Management Courses at Bishop Burton College

If you’re passionate about animals, studying Animal Management at Bishop Burton College can help you take your first steps towards a career working with them.

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Our animal care and management courses combine scientific knowledge with practical experience. You’ll explore how animals behave, understand their needs and develop the skills to support their health and welfare.
 

Based near Beverley in East Yorkshire, our campus includes a specialist Animal Management Centre with more than 100 species, giving you opportunities to learn about both domestic and exotic animals.

Animal Management at Bishop Burton – Quick Overview

  • Location: Bishop Burton, near Beverley, East Yorkshire
  • Study options: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and T Levels, alongside adult courses and apprenticeships
  • Facilities: Specialist Animal Management Centre, commercial boarding kennels and dog grooming facilities
  • Subject areas: Animal care, welfare, behaviour, biology and husbandry
  • Progression: Employment, apprenticeships or further study, depending on your qualification
Animal management
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Why Study Animal Management at Bishop Burton College?

Build your confidence working with animals while developing an understanding of the science behind their care.

When you study here, you benefit from:

  • Practical learning with a wide variety of species
  • Specialist animal environments, including nocturnal, reptile and aquatics facilities
  • Tutors with animal industry experience, including zookeeping
  • Opportunities to develop workplace skills through placements
  • A choice of courses to suit different starting points and career ambitions

Animal Management Courses Available

Explore our animal care and management courses to find the right route for you:

  • Level 1 in Animal Care
  • Level 2 Technical Certificate in Animal Care
  • Level 3 in Animal Management
  • Level 3 in Animal Management with English and Maths
  • T Level in Animal Care and Management (Animal Management and Behaviour)
  • T Level in Animal Care and Management (Animal Management and Science)

We also offer Access to Higher Education courses in animal and veterinary science subjects, dog grooming qualifications and apprenticeships.

Browse the courses below for entry requirements, course content and application details.

What You May Study

Animal management combines practical care with an understanding of animal biology, behaviour and welfare.

Depending on your chosen course, you may study:

  • Animal health and disease
  • Animal behaviour and communication
  • Animal welfare and ethics
  • Handling and husbandry
  • Biology, anatomy and physiology
  • Nutrition and feeding
  • Accommodation and enrichment
  • Conservation

You’ll learn how to apply your knowledge to everyday animal care, from recognising health concerns to understanding how an animal’s environment affects its wellbeing.

 

Facilities and Industry Experience

Our Animal Management Centre is home to more than 100 species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.

The Centre is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA). Its specialist environments help you explore the different needs of animals and the importance of appropriate housing, care and enrichment.

Work placements give you opportunities to experience professional animal care beyond college. Our Level 3 Animal Management course includes external work experience, while our T Levels combine college learning with an industry placement.

Careers in Animal Care and Management

Your course can help you prepare for opportunities in animal care, welfare and related industries.

Depending on your qualification and experience, you could explore roles such as:

  • Animal care assistant
  • Animal welfare or rescue assistant
  • Kennel assistant
  • Trainee zookeeper
  • Dog handler
  • Dog walker or pet sitter

Some careers require further study, specialist training or additional experience. Your course can provide a foundation for taking those next steps.

Entry Requirements and Progression

Entry requirements vary by course. Our range of qualifications offers different starting points, whether you’re building your confidence in animal care or ready for more advanced study.

Level 1 and Level 2 courses can help you develop the foundations for further learning. Level 3 study can support progression towards employment or higher education, subject to the requirements of your chosen route.

Check individual course pages for the GCSE grades, experience and other entry requirements you’ll need.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study Animal Management after GCSEs?

Will I gain practical experience with animals?

What is the Animal Care and Management T Level?

Can Animal Management lead to university?

Explore Animal Management at an Open Event

Student Profile

John Sheffield

John Sheffield

Subject Animal Management

John studies Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management and is really enjoying the course. As well as developing his confidence with the animals, he is also a massive asset to the college and regularly supports with tours around the Animal Management Centre.

Read more

Proud Members of BIAZA

Our Animal Management Centre is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), reflecting our commitment to animal welfare, conservation and education.

For you, this means studying in an environment where responsible animal care and species conservation are part of everyday learning. You’ll explore how good husbandry, suitable habitats and enrichment support animal wellbeing, while discovering the role zoos and animal collections play in protecting wildlife.

Our involvement in conservation programmes also helps connect your studies to the challenges facing animal populations around the world.

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From reptiles to raccoon dogs...

Find out more about our Animal Management Centre

Student Profiles

John Sheffield

John Sheffield

John studies Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management and is really enjoying the course. As well as developing his confidence with the animals, he is also a massive asset to the college and regularly supports with tours around the Animal Management Centre.

Read more profiles

Meet your tutors

Adam Spencer

Adam Spencer

Animal Management Lecturer

"I’m quite new to life here at Bishop Burton. My background is in zookeeping. After completing my BSc in Animal Management, I was a keeper at Yorkshire Wildlife Park for over 10 years. During my time there I worked with some incredible animals, including their famous polar bears! Caring for rare and extraordinary animals was incredible, as was the chance to work on the front line of animal conservation."
“When I decided to become a lecturer I chose Bishop Burton because of the facilities. There’s an amazing variety of species here, both domestic and exotic, which is perfect for giving students an all-round knowledge of animal management.
“Teaching here is fantastic. I work with students from Levels 1 to 3. I love supporting the students to pursue their diverse interests; they get to experience working with all creatures great and small. With so much hands-on experience in the bank, they’re set up well to progress to study a degree.”

Adam Spencer - Animal Management Lecturer
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