The course delivery is based around our Animal Rescue Centre (ARC), which has on-site veterinary facilities, and will give you the opportunity to gain necessary knowledge and practical skills required to work with a variety of animal species. The ARC provides care for a selection of resident exotic animals and small mammals, but also provides assessment and care for a wide range of presenting native wildlife casualties e.g. hedgehogs, seals, otters, birds of prey and garden bird species, co-ordinating the rehabilitation and intended release of these animals as appropriate. Your participation and studies will not only benefit you, but the animals within the centre and beyond. Established links with the RSPCA, conservation organisations and local veterinary practices provide a very real experience and a network for you to explore future career opportunities.
Work placement experience is also included as a requirement in completing this qualification, and we have links with a range of animal care sector employers with whom we are often able to arrange placements. Work placement experience can take place in a wide range of environments e.g. veterinary surgery, boarding and day care provision, dog groomer, zoo, pet shop, stables and farms. Mandatory units are:
Protected Landscapes + Heritage Skills
Starts July 2025
Are you aged 18–30, living in Cumbria, and curious about herd dynamics, conservation grazing, and the life of semi-feral Fell Ponies? Join us for a powerful three-day immersive experience, taking place 11th–13th July 2025 at Gowbarrow Farm, CA11 0JP by kind permission of the Beaumont family. …
Starts September 2025
By the end of the session, attendees will be able to discuss a range of approaches that can be adopted in gardens to make them more ‘wildlife friendly’ and implement measures in their own gardens, community spaces and apply at larger scales.
Starts September 2025
By the end of the session attendees will be able to create safe, engaging, and accurate self-guided walks.
Starts July 2025
By the end of the session, attendees will be able to identify key plants species associated with species-rich grasslands in Cumbria with a focus on grasses, sedges and rushes and skills associated with identification of grasses etc. from flowers and vegetative characteristics.
MSc Conservation Management Online Event
Restoring Hardknott Forest Volunteer Day
Wildlife Walk at Hardknott Forest