Course description
Fine-tune your animal management skills and prepare to work directly with animals, or in related services and businesses, with our Level 3 Extended Diploma at Writtle College.
This course will suit you if you’re passionate about caring for animals – whether that’s in a hands-on role, or through businesses such as pet stores, kennels, catteries and zoos.
As a student at Writtle College you’ll use our animal studies centre, with its aquatic, reptile and companion animal rooms. It’s part of our rural campus, which, as well as housing small animals, is home to horses and farm livestock.
You’ll also gain valuable experience with a work placement. While on placement, you’ll complete a portfolio of work that contributes toward your final grade.
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
Main
- 5 GCSEs at Grade 9-4 or A*-C, which must include English, Maths and Science.
- Satisfactory references from most recent school, college or employer.
- For direct entry to Year 2, successful completion of the Level 3 Advanced Technical
- Diploma in Animal Management.
- Alternative qualifications or experience will be considered on application.
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.
Training Course Content
Mandatory units
- Principles of Health and Safety
- Undertake and Review Work-related Experience in the Land-based Industries
- Animal Health and Husbandry
- Animal Feeding and Nutrition
- Animal Behaviour and Communication
- Biological Systems of Animals
- Animal Welfare and Breeding
- Pet Store Design and Management
- Fundamentals of Science
- Kennel and Cattery Management
Optional specialist units
- Animal Training
- Aquatics Welfare and Breed Development
- Avian Health and Husbandry
- Animal Nursing
- Farm Livestock Husbandry and Welfare
- Inheritance and Genetics
- Chemistry for Biological Technicians
- Cell Biology and Genetics
- Biochemistry and Microbiology
- Dog Grooming
- Science Investigation and Report Writing
- Pet Allied Services
- Small Animal Rehabilitation
- Undertake Estate Skills
- Business Management in the Land-based Sector
- Customer Care and Retail Merchandising
- Undertake a Specialist Project in the Land-based Sector
Course delivery details
This course includes a range of mandatory and optional units. You’ll complete all mandatory units and select three optional units from the list below, as determined by your Course Leader.
Units are subject to change and availability.
Assessment
We’ll assess your progress in a number of ways including two externally set, externally moderated assignments; two externally set and externally marked exams; a portfolio of evidence, two unit assignments; and optional unit assessments as required.
Why choose Writtle University College
Ranked Top University-Sector Institution in East Anglia for overall student satisfaction!
*Based on NSS 2022 Based on Taught Data
Beautiful rural campus situated close to the city of Chelmsford, 40 minutes from London and the coast.
Expenses
Fees
- £7,510 Students over 19 starting 2023/24 (total cost)
- £5,678 Students over 19 starting 2023/24, entering direct to Year 2
Continuing Studies
Careers and educational progression
Having completed our Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma, you’ll be ready to work in the animal care and management industries. You might join an animal welfare organisation, veterinary practice, wildlife park or perhaps a business such as a pet store or feed company. Potential job roles include:
- Animal care assistant
- Kennel or cattery workers/supervisor
- Animal hospital care assistant
- Pet store assistant
- Apprentice in an animal care business
Or you might choose to continue your studies, by progressing to a university degree course. Options at ARU Writtle – which shares a campus with Writtle College – include BSc (Hons) Animal Management and BSc (Hons) Animal Science.
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Welcome to Writtle College! Writtle College, a further education provider, now part of ARU, is located at the ARU Writtle campus on the outskirts of Chelmsford, Essex. We offer a wide range of exciting courses in land-based, creative and sports...