Where can our FdSc Animal Behaviour and Conservation course take you?

Hear from Ellie, a former FdSc Animal Behaviour and Conservation student at Plumpton College. Find out what Ellie enjoyed and what really helped her land her current role as a Supervisor at Middle Farm, leading the Open Farm Team. 

The Animal Behaviour and Conservation foundation degree at Plumpton College really prepares its students for a future career in the animal industry.

The first-year modules include animal management, animal health and welfare and biology among more, which set foundations for many animal careers paths. There are also practical opportunities to work with animals in the animal management centre (AMC). The AMC works like a small on-site zoo, housing a wide range of animals. Students can participate in routine husbandry which helps build skills in the workplace.

The AMC works like a small on-site zoo, housing a wide range of animals. Students can participate in routine husbandry which helps build skills in the workplace.

In the second year there is the opportunity to participate in your choice of placement and optional modules such as animal training and conservation. I really enjoyed the training module where I trained a pygmy goat and bearded dragon. This allows you to specialise into an area your most interested in.

I really enjoyed the training module where I trained a pygmy goat and bearded dragon.

Along-side this course I have worked for Middle Farm, which is a working farm that is open to the public. There are many animals here which I was able to apply the skills I was learning on the course to. Particularly the animal management module which covered enclosure design and signage. I have recently been able to apply what I have learnt to the business creating ideas to increase ticket sales and apply other modules such as animal behaviour to create an enrichment schedule.

I have recently been able to apply what I have learnt to the business creating ideas to increase ticket sales and apply other modules such as animal behaviour to create an enrichment schedule.

These contributions that I was able to make for my work due to my studies, were a key factor in being offered a supervisor position at Middle Farm. I am now responsible for leading the Open Farm team, the care of all on-site animals and holding public events. I feel the lecturers on my course are all incredibly experienced in their field and make lectures exciting and engaging. I am incredibly grateful to them as their support and guidance throughout the course has really helped me get to where I am today.

I feel the lecturers on my course are all incredibly experienced in their field and make lectures exciting and engaging. I am incredibly grateful to them as their support and guidance throughout the course has really helped me get to where I am today. 

Next Steps...

Find out more on our FdSc Animal Behaviour and Conservation course by visiting our Animal Management page. Check out our Higher Education focus week on our Instagram and Facebook accounts this week for videos and more information on studying a degree programme at Plumpton College.

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Category: Animal Management