National Certificate Zoo Animal Care, Behaviour and Welfare SCQF level 6

This National Certificate (NC) develops basic skills in zoo animal care and focuses on practical activities carried out in a realistic work environment, such as welfare, nutrition and health monitoring.

It covers areas such as welfare of animals in zoos, behaviour of animals in zoos, animal survival behaviour, work experience, developing nutritional strategies, health and safety, learning activity design, human-animal interactions and health monitoring and early intervention.

This qualification is available through colleges.

National Certificates are designed for full-time delivery over one year or part-time over two years (including evening provision). Many are suitable for open and distance learning and may also be offered as January-start access to HN courses.

Qualification structure

Group award code: GV12 46 (76-78 SCQF credit points)
SCQF level: 6

This National Certificate consists of 9 mandatory units (58 SCQF credit points) and 3 optional units (18–20 SCQF credit points).

Mandatory units include:

•    Welfare of Animals in Zoos
•    Behaviour of Animals in Zoos
•    Animal Survival Behaviour
•    Zoo Animal Care: Work Experience
•    Zoo Animal Care: Developing Nutritional Strategies
•    Zoo Animal Care: Health and Safety: An Introduction
•    Zoo Animal Care: Learning Activity Design
•    Zoo Animal Care: Human-Animal Interactions
•    Zoo Animal Care: Health Monitoring and Early Intervention

See the group award specification for the full list of mandatory and optional units.

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How to assess

Assessment of this NC involves a series of theoretical and practical assessments or tasks. This NC has a focus on practical work carried out over a sustained period of time in a realistic working environment.

There are opportunities to combine the delivery and assessment of various units, for example, combining Zoo Animal Care: Health and Safety with Zoo Animal Care: Work Experience and/or Principles of Enclosure Design.

Deliver this qualification

Why study this qualification

The NC in Zoo Animal Care, Behaviour and Welfare is designed for a wide range of learners, including:

  • school leavers
  • adults returning to education

The qualification is also suitable if you are looking to gain practical experience of working in a zoo environment.

You will develop a range of practical and theoretical skills in a zoo animal care context.

You will also have the opportunity to develop a range of Core Skills.

Access

Entry is at the discretion of the centre.

Learners would benefit from having attained the skills, knowledge and understanding required by one or more of the following or equivalent qualifications and/or experience:

  • NC in Animal Care at SCQF Level 5
  • units, one or more Highers, or informal development work which show ability to study at SCQF level 6
  • Biology at SCQF Level 5 or equivalent

Employment and progression

You could use this level 6 award to progress to:

  • SCQF level 7
  • an HNC/HND in animal care or a related area
  • employment in the zoo sector, perhaps as a zoo keeper

Qualification structure

Group award code: GV12 46 (76-78 SCQF credit points)
SCQF level: 6

This National Certificate consists of 9 mandatory units (58 SCQF credit points) and 3 optional units (18–20 SCQF credit points).

Mandatory units include:

•    Welfare of Animals in Zoos
•    Behaviour of Animals in Zoos
•    Animal Survival Behaviour
•    Zoo Animal Care: Work Experience
•    Zoo Animal Care: Developing Nutritional Strategies
•    Zoo Animal Care: Health and Safety: An Introduction
•    Zoo Animal Care: Learning Activity Design
•    Zoo Animal Care: Human-Animal Interactions
•    Zoo Animal Care: Health Monitoring and Early Intervention

See the group award specification for the full list of mandatory and optional units.

Unit search