Level 2 Diploma in Animal Care 2016
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management 2018
Foundation Degree Animal Behaviour and Welfare 2020
BSc (Hons) in Zoo Management 2021 (First Class)
Age: 22
Job title: Animal keeper, Reaseheath Zoo:
“I’ve spent six years at Reaseheath College and at UCR. Each year has been surprisingly different but I’ve enjoyed every minute and feel I’ve achieved a lot.
“The experiences I’ve had will shape my future life. After my Level 2 course I went to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands on an amazing trip with students from other colleges organised through my lecturers. After my Level 3 I went on a working trip with Reaseheath students to Namibia, where we cared for cheetahs, leopards and lions in a sanctuary and carried out field work such as tracking and surveying.
“During my degree I volunteered at Reaseheath’s zoo and became a part-time keeper. It was an invaluable opportunity for hands-on experience with a BIAZA collection and helped me get my first class hons degree. It also cemented my decision to become a zoo keeper, ideally specialising in primates or carnivores.
“I also lived in to make the most of the social life and to get a real uni experience – there’s always something going on!”