Animal science and management

If you'd like a career working with animals, a degree in animal science and management can provide a route into a range of jobs involving pets, working animals, livestock and wildlife

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Academic researcher
• Animal nutritionist
• Animal physiotherapist
• Animal technician
• Nature conservation officer
• Zookeeper
• Zoologist

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Charity officer
• Ecologist
• Environmental consultant
• Field trials officer
• Research scientist (life sciences)
• Sales executive
• Science writer
• Veterinary nurse
• Volunteer coordinator

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

Many organisations working with animals in the UK are charities, so they rely heavily on volunteers. This is great news in terms of gaining work experience. Approach animal sanctuaries, rescue centres, visitor attractions with animals on site, zoos, safari parks or veterinary practices to offer help. Often organisations have volunteering sections on their websites.

You may be able to find work on livestock farms, particularly during seasonal peaks, such as when animals are birthing. You could volunteer as a dog walker for elderly people unable to exercise their pets or write campaign documents for animal rights organisations. If you don't have much time to give, you could offer to help at animal events such as horse shows.

There are also opportunities for animal-based gap year experiences, holidays and welfare projects. Some of these will be on a voluntary basis, and others will have cost implications. Some scientific laboratories offer summer placements.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

Employers include animal charities, which are involved in supporting animals through welfare, training, rescue, conservation, rehoming and campaigning work. Organisations may focus on a particular area or combine several of these strands and may offer hands-on opportunities in general animal care.

Scientific organisations like pharmaceutical companies or medical research companies sometimes offer employment opportunities to graduates to care for animals in laboratories. Zoos and sanctuaries are common employers, as are international welfare organisations, which campaign, fundraise and protect animals worldwide.

Animal nutrition is a growing area with opportunities in animal health, feed development and sales. Local government and animal enforcement organisations employ graduates to protect the welfare of pets, livestock and leisure animals such as those used for racing and riding.

Other employers include scientific publishers, further education and high education institutions, and organisations involved in using genetics to improve domestic animal breeding programmes.

Find information on employers in charity and voluntary work, environment and agriculture, science and pharmaceuticals, and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

You'll develop specialist knowledge in areas such as animal physiology, biology, reproduction, behaviour, welfare, training, conservation, pests and diseases.

Many animal science and management degrees also equip you with a range of practical skills around animal handling, husbandry and training, as well as scientific research skills such as behavioural measurement.

Employers from other sectors also value skills from the degree, such as:

• the ability to explain complex ideas
• observation, research, analysis and reflection
• report writing
• statistical planning
• independent working
• collaborating with others
• time management
• communication and presentation.

Further study

Animal-based employment is often competitive, so postgraduate qualifications may provide you with an edge. Areas of study at this level include:

• behaviour
• conservation
• nutrition
• veterinary physiotherapy
• welfare
• zoo management.

Further study at this level can provide a deeper insight into a particular area of your undergraduate degree and is required for some jobs, such as veterinary nurse.

It's also possible to undertake a PhD in a subject related to animal science and management.

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees and search postgraduate courses in animal behaviour and animal nutrition.

What do animal science and management graduates do?

Nearly a quarter (23%) of animal science and management graduates are working in animal care service occupations, while 7% are working as veterinary nurses. Biological scientists, farm workers, laboratory technicians and physiotherapists are also among the top ten most common jobs.

Find out what other animal science graduates are doing 15 months after finishing their degrees in What do graduates do?

Graduate Outcomes survey data from HESA.