Foundation Degree in Zoo Management

Name: Foundation Degree in Zoo Management
Price: -800016000 £

Zoo Management

Pursue your ambition to work with captive animals on this course that will equip you with key skills in animal management. During the Zoo Management Foundation Degree, you will learn about the behaviour and welfare of a range of captive wild animals. Taught by a talented team of lecturers with extensive experience with a range of species, you will be welcomed into our community of animals lovers.

Activate Learning is an Office for Students (OfS) approved (fee cap) provider of Higher Education with an OfS approved Access and Participation Plan.

Activate Learning is proud to be a partner institution of The Open University who are the awarding body for this qualification.

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Awarding body

Course overview

Application codes

Course Code

HC02HF1A014P

Institution Code

025

Date, fees & location

Start date

September 2025

Location

Merrist Wood College

Fees

Full-time: £8,000 per year (Total £16,000). Part-time: £4,000 per year (Total £16,000)

Timetable

Duration

Full-time: 2 Years. Part-time: 4 Years.

Study mode

Full-Time

Attendance

Full-time: 15 Sept 2025-11 June 2027. Part-time: 15 Sept 2025-8 June 2029.

Days of week

Full-time: Tuesday and Wednesday. Part-time: Tuesday

Time

9am-4pm

Delivery

On Campus – Merrist Wood College and University Centre, Holly Lane, Worplesdon, Surrey, GU3 3PE

Award

Course award

On successful completion, you will be awarded a Foundation Degree Zoo Management from The Open University.

Description & Modules

Captive animals don’t have a choice about living in a zoo, game reserve or other controlled setting – and that’s why it’s so important that there are people to be a voice for them.

To care for animals and to give them the best lives possible, we need to understand what they think and feel. Understanding their behaviour, learning about positive welfare inputs and making decisions to support their welfare are all fundamental skills – and you will learn this through the Foundation Degree (FdSc) in Zoo Management. With a growing national and global interest in exotic species, plus increasing recognition of the role animals play in the environment, there are real opportunities for people with zoo management skills to make a positive impact on the world.

This course is taught at Merrist Wood College and University Centre, a 400-acre estate with ancient woodland, wetlands, livestock, threatened species, a farm, an equine centre, and our Animal Management Centre – which has an animal activities licence to support students’ training. This is your live classroom for real-world learning, and we take every opportunity we can to help you put your knowledge into practice. Our lecturers have also worked and volunteered extensively in the animal industry, and their knowledge will elevate your learning experience. With guest lectures, work placement opportunities and the possibility to travel internationally, this course will set you up for the future.

During this foundation degree, you will take modules that cover topics including animal health, welfare and nutrition, plus breeding programmes, animal management and practical zoo management skills. As well as classroom-based learning, you’ll get plenty of hands-on experience with animals, which includes designing your own animal enrichment solutions. Popular species for these include our meerkats, pigs, birds of prey and parrots.

You’ll learn more about how to manage collections of animals in zoos, and the conservation of global biodiversity. Throughout the programme, you will develop an array of personal, professional and research skills that can be applied to many future job roles. You will also learn how to use the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS), which is the globally-recognised software used to manage global species populations.

Student wellbeing is a priority at Merrist Wood, and we provide dedicated extra support to enable each and every student to overcome personal obstacles and thrive. You’ll also benefit from small class sizes, exclusive access to the Higher Education Student Centre, and being around like-minded people in our inclusive community.

Being part of Activate Learning – one of the largest education providers in the South East – means you’ll benefit from a wide range of resources and regular investment in our facilities. Our approach is multi-award-winning, and we’ve achieved everything from the Silver rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) assessment, to awards for our use of digital technologies. You’ll also get to use a range of technology such as camera traps, drones and artificial intelligence (AI), which can all be brilliant non-invasive monitoring tools for animals.
Merrist Wood is a place to learn, grow and innovate. If you want to be a voice for animals and gain the skills to manage them in captive settings, the Zoo Management Foundation Degree (FdSc) will equip you with the knowledge and practical skills you’ll need for a future career in a captive animal environment.

Highlights:

Gain a Foundation Degree in Zoo Management, validated by The Open University.
Understand core theories and gain key practical skills to open up a wide range of options for working in a captive animal setting such as a zoo, game reserve or animal sanctuary.
Learn from lecturers who have real industry experience, and benefit from guest lectures and opportunities to visit a variety of organisations and centres that work with animals. To find out more, please click here.
Access the on-site Animal Management Centre, home to hundreds of species and a desert biome, a tropical biome, a nocturnal room and a large husbandry room. Our animal activities licence supports and enhances student learning.
Study in the stunning surroundings of the 400-acre Merrist Wood estate, which also provides further practical learning opportunities.
Gain additional support for your personal needs and access our academic student support tutor, available to all students on this course.
Benefit from a consolidated timetable over two days, so you can also work and manage your home life while studying.
This course is also available as a part-time study option.

Modules

The table below provides a summary of which modules are delivered at each level for both full-time and part-time modes of study. All modules are compulsory.

Module Title	Level	Full-time		Part-time
	Level	Yr 1	Yr 2	Yr 1	Yr 2	Yr 3	Yr 4
Development of Personal and Professional Skills	4	X		X
Breeding Programmes and Animal Husbandry	4	X			X
Animal Health, Welfare and Nutrition	4	X		X
Practical Zoological Management Skills	4	X			X
Conservation of Global Biodiversity	5		X			X
Management of Zoological Collections	5		X				X
Animal Welfare and Ethics	5		X			X
Research Methods	5		X				X

Year 1 (Level 4)

During your first year, you will take modules that cover a diverse range of topics, including animal health, welfare, nutrition, and husbandry. In addition to classroom-based learning, you’ll get plenty of hands-on experience with animals, which includes designing your own animal enrichment solutions.

Animal Health, Welfare and Nutrition (30 credits) 

This module is intended to provide you with an opportunity to gain a fundamental grounding in key areas of animal health, animal welfare and animal nutrition. Students who successfully engage with the module acquire knowledge that enables them to become more capable animal husbandry professionals in industry.  Largely theoretical in nature, this module introduces key knowledge on the theory of animal welfare with particular reference to the major causative agents of disease in animals. The general pathological effects of such disease-causing agents on an animal’s health will be a key feature.  The goal of this module is to enable you to demonstrate key skills and understanding of animal health, welfare and nutrition so that you will be able to contribute positively during both work placements and future work opportunities—skills that are highly desirable in a broad range of animal care applications.

Breeding Programmes and Animal Husbandry (30 credits)

This module will allow you to demonstrate the principles of animal breeding husbandry and to develop skills in practical management of a range of animal species, supported by underpinning theoretical knowledge. You will be introduced to a wide scope of industry recognised techniques with a key emphasis on the analysis of welfare and husbandry provision for a range of species. Current issues supporting genetic management, ethics, animal health, understanding behaviour and record keeping, including an introduction to Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS), will be addressed. A significant study component of this module is the management of a breeding programme that will develop the skill-set required for the application of a suitable protocol that leads to successful reproduction. In addition to the practical element of breeding animals, you will develop the theoretical knowledge needed to manage the process from parental selection to offspring independence.

Development of Personal and Professional Skills (30 credits)

This module will introduce you to Future Skills through engagement with Navigate.  The Future Skills concepts and activities will support you in developing your progress towards a chosen career path. There will be opportunities to develop skills in scientific analysis, problem solving, and teamwork. These skills will be supported through active engagement with the Navigate programme, enabling you to understand and begin to develop a design thinking approach to future career development. This module will also incorporate Academic Skills. These will be delivered through a programme of lectures, workshops, and practical elements that will introduce you to academic writing techniques and the application of reference source material in an accurate and consistent manner.

Practical Zoological Management Skills (30 credits)

This module includes working with wild animals in a controlled environment requires a specific practical skill set underpinned by supporting theory. Although the industry has many specific facets based on the species and type of collection, there are many generic skills and knowledge that can be applied and developed through experience. This module creates a platform for you to develop a sound grounding of enrichment, basic training methodology, record keeping and expected husbandry skills. Throughout this module, you will have the opportunity to engage with a range of practical animal husbandry activities designed to enhance welfare and to demonstrate some basic husbandry skills required by industry. Utilisation of the extensive animal collection at Merrist Wood and opportunities from industry links will provide currency for skill development and knowledge. The importance of record keeping will be provided through Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) training as this is the expected software within the industry.

Year 2 (Level 5)

Throughout the two-year programme, you will develop an array of personal, professional and research skills that can be applied to many future job roles.

Conservation of Global Biodiversity (30 credits)

This module introduces you to the complexity of factors which shape global conservation principles and practice. Discussing the context and challenges associated with managing natural resources in the 21st century, you will consider why and how conservation efforts are shifting away from preservation to regard biodiversity as part of a dynamic and interconnected natural and human system. Conservation is a wide subject area and as such, you will have the opportunity to study case examples of personal interest and present talks on topical and controversial issues. Practical techniques will include computer-based use of biological systems models and spatial distribution maps to explore temporal and geographic patterns of biodiversity. During the module, you will have the opportunity to develop their research and information literacy, inter-personal and communication skills.

Management of Zoological Collections (30 credits)

This module provides the opportunity to develop an understanding of the key issues related to managing wild animals in zoological collections. Emphasis is placed on the aspects related to effective display principles, compliance within the zoo framework, captive husbandry, breeding programmes and wider conservation initiatives. To develop your understanding further, emphasis is also placed on natural history and case studies relating to the promotion of species-specific behaviour in a controlled environment. Extensive use is made of the learning opportunities from external visits to collections including Birdworld, Chessington World of Adventures, Zoological Society of London (ZSL London and Whipsnade) and The British Wildlife Centre. In many cases past Merrist Wood students lead these tours and inspire others to develop professional expertise. Sessions are supported by guest speakers both within collections and on site, ensuring that the learning experience is on a level with current industry benchmarks.

Research Methods (30 credits) 

This module introduces you to the principles and practice of developing a research project with thematic content to address: literature review, hypothesis generation, experimental design, sampling methodologies, data collection, data presentation, data analysis and report writing. Presenting realistic, industry-based scenarios to develop your conceptual knowledge and analytical skills, this module aims to foster independence in ethical research design and analysis. Practical techniques will include data collection and data analysis using Excel and SPSS software

Continuing Professional Development (30 credits)

This is a core module for all Level 5 Foundation in Science Programmes. You will prepare for employment by creating a report that documents and evaluates your academic, professional, and practical achievements. You will engage in further professional development and prepare for higher professional and managerial roles. In addition, you will be encouraged to use real-world learning opportunities to develop professional working relationships with relevant industry organisations.

All students receive support for academic development, and you will have access to a personal tutor.

Ready to start your application? For guidance on how to apply for your course, please click here.

Teaching & Learning

Your timetable

If you are studying full-time, your timetable will be over two consecutive days of the week.

If you are studying part-time, your timetable will be on one day per week.

Your timetable is spread over one academic year starting in September and ending in June, and consisting of 32 weeks of teaching with study breaks in October, December, February, April, and May.

Teaching and Independent study hours

Each module includes 80 hours of scheduled teaching which consists of lectures, practical activities, workshops and tutorials which all students are expected to attend.

In addition, students are expected to undertake 220 hours of independent study which may consist of reading, research, report writing, practical experiments, work-based learning, and other activities related to assessment. In total, each module equates to 300 learning hours.

Over the duration of an academic year, your total teaching contact time will equate to approximately 320 hours if you are studying full-time (160 part-time) and you will be expected to undertake 880 hours of independent study (440 part-time).

As you continue to move through your programme of study, a greater emphasis will be placed on the importance of engaging in independent study.

Teaching strategies

Throughout your programme you will experience a range of teaching strategies to support your learning, these will include lectures, workshops, seminars, practical sessions, and tutorials. The teaching strategies will vary for each module depending on the content and learning outcomes, which are detailed in each module descriptor.

In addition, you will also benefit from industry speakers, which in the past have included:

Animal Science academics
Canine Behaviourists
Animal Trainers
Wildlife Officers
Zoo Vets
Surrey Police Wildlife Officers

We also embed trips, excursions and visits where appropriate in your programme. In the past, these have included:

Chessington Zoo
Birdworld
The Knepp Estate
ZSL – London Zoo & Whipsnade Zoo
UK Wolf Trust
Petworth Park
Pirbright Vet Labs (Institute Animal Health)
Laverstoke Park
Shamwari Private Game Reserve in South Africa

Your voice matters to us. We are open to suggestions from students who are passionate about a particular organisation or location. If you have a trip or visit that the faculty team should consider at any point during your course, please let us know.

Work-based Learning

Work based learning is an essential component of the Foundation Degree and each student must complete 150 hours, assessed over 2 modules. It is the responsibility of individual students to source and secure such work-based learning experiences.

Assessment

You will be assessed by a range of methods designed to develop and test your understanding, knowledge, and skills. These may include examinations, essays, reports, scientific posters, seminars, dissertations, media articles, web- and video-based productions, practical demonstrations, portfolios, collaborative group work-based projects, case studies, and conference-style presentations.

The balance of assessment methods will vary throughout your degree and depending upon which programme you undertake. Depending on the programme you are doing, between 10-20% of your programme may be assessed by examinations with the vast majority (80-90%) assessed through coursework.

You will primarily be assessed as an individual but may also be assessed as part of a group where collaborative skills are relevant.

The balance of assessments for each module is detailed in the module descriptors, but normally includes at least two assessments which are individually weighted, for example, the Development of Personal and Professional Skills module has three assessments:

Assessment task	Weighting
Written report (1500 words)	20%
Presentation (10 minutes)	20%
Reflective Journal (2000 words)	60%

Assessments are designed to allow you to develop subject-specific skills and knowledge, and to research topics/species of interest linked to subject areas relevant to your career aspirations.

Feedback on assessment performance is provided on all summative assessment activities to support your development and progression.  This comprises mainly individual comments, but also group feedback to the cohort where relevant, so that generic issues such as technical writing and referencing skills can be addressed and enhanced. Feedback for summative assessments is typically returned within 3 weeks from the point of submission in the form of written feedback.

Formative assessment is designed to promote learning and allows you to become familiar with the expectations and requirements associated with summative assessment processes.

Throughout the course, there are many opportunities for formative assessment, which provide constructive feedback (to feed forward) prior to summative assessment. This may be in written or verbal feedback form within a 3-week window from the point of submission. Typically, this formative work includes practical/field work, informal in-class tests, discussions and peer review.  These are designed to inform you of your own progress, allowing reflection on learning to identify strengths and weaknesses and to facilitate planning for success.

‍Academic skills support is available throughout the year to help you prepare for this range of assessments, including exam preparation.

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Entry Requirements

Each application will be considered on an individual basis, following the principle of widening access to those who might not meet the traditional academic entry criteria. As such, it is anticipated that applicants will come from a diverse range of backgrounds.

Our Admissions policy, which can be accessed here outlines our commitment and responsibilities to applicants and our Admissions Procedure for Higher Education, which can be accessed here clarifies the application and enrolment process.

All applicants are also advised to read our Higher Education Terms and Conditions, which can be accessed here and provide information and references to relevant policies and procedures which apply to applicants and enrolled students.

Typical Entry Requirements

Normally, the entry requirement would be 64 UCAS points, comprised of either:

relevant A-levels (with at least 1 science subject, such as biology) or;
T-Level in a relevant subject area (such as ‘Animal Care & Management’ or ‘Animal Science’) or;
BTEC Level 3 Diploma in ‘Animal Management’, or;
Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject (such as ‘Animal Management’ or ‘Animal Science’) at Pass level.

In addition, applicants should have a GCSE grade C/4 or above in Mathematics and English Language (or a recognised equivalent vocationally related qualification). It is advantageous to have a science GCSE (such as biology or psychology) as well.

Please note that a minimum IELTS score of 6 is required for those for whom English is not their first language.

Activate Learning is not currently accepting International applicants.

Mature Students

Activate Learning welcomes applications from mature students who may not meet our typical entry requirements, but who now wish to take the opportunity to develop their knowledge and practical skills. We are committed to supporting you throughout the application process and view our interview process as an opportunity to get to know applicants.

Normally, the requirement for mature students would be:

a minimum of the equivalent of two years of relevant work experience and a current role in an appropriate workplace setting; and,
evidence of ability to study at academic level 4; and,
evidence of support/recommendation from your employer.

Recognition of Prior Learning

If you don’t meet the typical entry requirements, but would still like to be considered for entry, you should complete the application form and include details of any relevant experience and/or prior certificated learning you may have. A member of the programme team will contact you to discuss your prior learning and determine whether an offer can be made.

If you have already completed a relevant level 4 qualification such as a Higher National Certificate and would like to be considered for direct entry into level 5 (second year) of the Foundation Degree, you should complete the application form and include details of the relevant qualifications you have, including details of the units/modules studied. A member of our programme team will contact you to discuss your application and determine the extent to which evidence of your prior certificated learning can be recognised.

For further details of our Recognition of Prior Learning Policy and Procedure, please click here.

Fees

Fee Breakdown

Home/EU* Fee for September 2025 entry: £8,000 per year ‍(full-time) £4,000 per year (part-time)

Please note: Tuition fees are published for the first year of entry and will remain the same for continuing students e.g. if you are studying a Foundation Degree full-time across two years, the tuition fee will remain the same for both years.

Paying your tuition fees

The most common way to pay tuition fees is through accessing a student loan which can be done by making an application to the Student Loans Company

For additional information about fees and how to pay click here. We offer financial support to help with the cost of studying at college, for students who need it most, for more information please click here.

Students who are self-funded can pay their tuition fees through an instalment plan which consists of four equal payments over the academic year. Please see our Tuition Fee policy for further details.

*Fee information for European Union (EU) students: If your course starts on or after 1 August 2021, you will no longer be eligible for financial support from Student Finance England unless you meet one of the following criteria:

you are able to benefit from the citizens’ rights agreements
you are an Irish national living in the UK or Republic of Ireland – benefits of Irish nationals under Common Travel Area guidance arrangement will continue

If you have any queries related to funding, please email adviceandadmissions@activatelearning.ac.uk

Additional Costs associated with your Course

While tuition fees cover the core aspects of your education, we also provide the essential resources that you will requires for your studies. Should you wish to purchase additional materials, the suggested costs are listed below.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Certain courses, particularly those involving practical work or fieldwork, may require specific PPE such as a polo shirt (approx. £15), cargo trousers (approx. £14), fleece/hoody (approx. £20) and waterproof jacket (£38), as well as your own suitable footwear. During your first week at Induction, you will have the opportunity to purchase branded versions of these clothing items. Should you choose to supply your own, please avoid bright or vivid tones, colours/patterns that some animals may find challenging, such as red.

Laptop/Computer: We have desktop computers readily available for you to use on campus in our Higher Education hub and accessible library. However, owning your own reliable laptop or computer is also very useful for completing coursework, accessing online resources, and participating remotely in any virtual elements. We recommend budgeting for this expense if you do not already own one. The average cost of a laptop is £500 – £800.

Non-mandatory Field Trips, Conferences, and Excursions: During your studies, there may be non-mandatory field trips or excursions which include local, national or international travel to enhance your learning through practical experience. Any non-mandatory field trips (local or further afield) will incur additional expenses for travel, accommodation, and fees, which will be communicated to you at the earliest possible opportunity, to ensure you have ample time to prepare and budget.

These costs are subject to change each year; however, we are always exploring ways to reduce the cost of extra-curricular opportunities. A recent example was our visit to Shamwari Private Game Reserve in South Africa which cost £2,639 and included accommodation, flights, meals and excursions.

Textbooks and Course Materials: Every module has an associated reading list. Much of this literature, as well as other relevant resources, is available through your course content, online, or through our library. However, you may also wish to purchase specific textbooks or materials to enhance your learning experience. If you were to purchase 3-4 core texts for your course (new), you would realistically expect to spend £50-75.

Consumables: We want to ensure you have all the specialist equipment you need for your studies, such as conservation technologies for research or dissertation modules. Sometimes, this equipment requires consumables such as disposable batteries or SD cards. We do our best to provide these items, and we’ll always lend you consumables whenever possible. However, we strongly encourage you to purchase your own if needed.

‍Vaccination: You are advised to ensure that anti-tetanus protection via a course of injections or booster is up to date prior to the commencement of the course. These are available free of charge via the NHS.

Campus accommodation: Whether you are seeking newfound independence or aiming to avoid a long commute, we offer students the option to live in our catered accommodation (7 nights catered across the full academic year is typically £6,350) or self-catered accommodation (typically £ 4,390 across the full academic year). You can find out more about our halls of residence, facilities, and fees here.

Activate Learning offers a range of bursaries and funds to help support students during their studies. For further details, including eligibility and how to apply, please click here.

Foundation Degree in Zoo Management

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