This course will equip you with the scientific knowledge and practical skills for a range of areas within the animal industry focusing on: conservation biology and management.

Professional development will build upon your previous studies and is embedded within this programme to enable you to further develop your skills set upon entering the animal management industry. Professional development will encompass practical skills development, graduate skills development and transferable skills development.

The unique selling point of this programme incorporates the strong partnership University Centre Weston has developed with Puxton Park. Students will experience a practical provision that is based in an active working business. In addition to this, Puxton Park have a wide range of species held for conservation, agricultural and domestic purposes, providing students with the opportunity to work with a variety of species in a range of contexts.

Module Title

• Data Analysis and Conservation 20 credits
• Environmental extremes and diversity of life 20 credits
• Conservation and wildlife management 20 credits
• Dissertation 40 credits
• Behavioural ecology and conservation 20 credits

You will study 1 day a week at our Puxton Park Animal Management Centre, where a range of theory and practical is taught. Particular aspects that are taught at Puxton include:

• animal husbandry
• animal handling
• behavioural observations
• welfare assessment
• enclosure design assessment
• enrichment design and provision
• health checking
• involvement in the active conservation projects ongoing at Puxton Park with a range of exotics, hoof stock and smalls.

At Knightstone Campus, you will learn lab work such as dissections, sampling techniques, theory of biodiversity, ecology and conservation. 

Trips and guest speakers are used to enhance delivery and promote industry contacts. 

There is also work placement required in years 1 and 2 to support practical skills and form part of assessment for professional practice modules.

Assessments include practical, portfolio development, presentations, exams, assignments, research critique and literature reviews.

UCW’s Higher Education Academic Development team deliver a series of sessions on degree-level research and academic writing to all first-year students.

This programme is a top up BSc (Hons) and all applicants need to have achieved a level 5 qualification in a relevant subject area to be considered for this programme.

Additional costs for Puxton Park uniform - approximately £50.