Frequently
Asked Questions
Can
I become an animal
behaviourist, animal psychologist, ecologist, etc after completing one
of your courses?
There is no short cut and unfortunately as this is an unregulated
industry, there is nothing to stop anyone who thinks they know
something about the subject setting themselves up as an expert.
However, this is irresponsible and potentially damaging and we believe
that there should be tighter regulation in place to prevent this. If
you are serious about making a living as a consultant in this field,
you need to work towards a collection of accredited animal behaviour,
psychology, biology and care based courses along with some practical
hands-on experience that can be obtained through volunteering.
How
do I enrol?
Simply click on the 'Sign up and Start Studying Now' button and
complete the secure online
registration form. Or alternatively, we can take
payment by phone.
If you prefer, you
are welcome to print out the registration form and post it back to us
with a cheque made payable to Animal Jobs Direct.
Is attendance
required?
No. All the courses are 100% home study and can be studied from home in
your own time and at your own pace.
When
do the courses start?
There are no specific start dates as each student progresses at their
own pace. You should be starting your studies within two weeks of
payment.
How
do the courses work?
You will receive one module at a time. In the notes there are questions
to answer that will require some research (the answers are not in the
notes). Once you have completed all of the questions you send them off
to your tutor for marking. This is then returned with a grade and
report with constructive comments along with your next module.
What
if I do not understand
something?
Upon enrolment, you are assigned a personal tutor to help you with your
work and any questions you might have. The tutors' job is not only to
mark your work but also to provide academic support and guidance if
required. You can contact your dedicated personal tutor by phone or
email. They are all experts in their field, most have a related degree
and many have teaching qualifications in addition to having practical
experience in their chosen subject. We are committed to good practice
and delivering quality tuition through the medium of correspondence.
What's included?
The enrolment fee covers postage, registration
costs, all
study materials and full Tutor and Administration support. There are no
surprises or additional costs; the amount advertised is the
amount you pay.
Are
there any exams?
No. Assessments are based entirely on your coursework.
How
long do the courses
take?
As there are no deadlines and the courses are designed to fit around
your personal commitments this is a difficult one to answer. We suggest
you aim to complete one module per month, so a six module course will
take six months.
Can I study more than one
course at a time?
Yes, this is possible. You will find
that by
studying this way, you create a steady flow of work for yourself. Many
of our courses compliment each other and work well together.
How
do your course levels
compare on the National Qualification Framework (NQF)?
Please check on each course page for the individual course level and
use the
NQF
link to compare
What
happens when I finish
the course?
On successful completion of all modules you will receive a
diploma/certificate. The tutor will also be happy to supply you with a
reference for employers, colleges or universities.
Can
I pay by instalments?
A loans company works with us to provide payment plans. Payment plans
are offered in the form of a loan and you would be paying interest on
this loan. The loans are only available for any course or number of
courses where the total value exceeds 500 GBP.
Can I study from anywhere in
the world?
Yes, our courses are accessible to students
worldwide; these courses have been undertaken by students from over 37
countries outside the UK. The courses have been conducted in some
surprising environments; including secure hospitals and prisons to the
depths of the African jungle and the Himalayan mountains to the beaches
of the Middle East. Students are able to get the same swift tutor
support whether they are in the UK, Bolivia or anywhere else in the
world.
Are
there any entry
requirements for your courses?
There is no experience or previous qualifications required for
enrolment for most of our courses. They are available to all students,
of all ages and academic backgrounds. Any specific entry requirements
will be detailed on the appropriate course page.
I
want to work with
animals how do I to start?
This is a very common question and to help you with this, we have
produced a Working with Animals ebook that is available as an instant
download or on CD format. It contains links (continually kept up to
date) to the latest information about the different careers with
animals as well as volunteering opportunities, the latest jobs with
animals and training options. This publication is free with any diploma
course enrolment. Please see this link for further information about
the ebook/cd:
http://www.animal-job.co.uk/ebooks.html
I'm
still not sure which
course would be suitable for me.
Please
contact us with
information about what you are interested in and what you would like to
achieve. The Animal Jobs Direct team have years of experience working
within the animal care sector and will be happy to offer advice on
courses.
Who
studies these courses?
We have a very diverse range of
students, from all walks of life. Many of our students already work in
ornithology, ichthyology, conservation or with animals in a variety of
capacities. These students want to enhance their knowledge and expand
their educational portfolio. Other students aspire to working with
animals or birds and would like to discover more about the way they
function. Our final group of students have an interest in nature or
companion animals and take our courses as a hobby and a challenge.
What
will my course cover?
We provide everything you need to
get you through your course of study. The individual course modules are
put together in a way that develops a true understanding of the subject.
What
if I encounter problems with a particular part of the course. Can I
expect any additional support?
If you find a particular section
difficult then all you have to do is contact the centre via telephone,
e-mail or post. We will then create a personalised 'help sheet' on that
specific area, which can be reviewed at your leisure. A tutor will
usually be available via telephone or e-mail for advice and guidance.
Studying
from home sounds great but what about postage?
We pay all the postage costs required
for getting the courses materials to you. On completion of the course
the awarding body will send you a certificate in your chosen
discipline. The only postage that you pay is for submitting your
completed assignments to the school and for any other correspondence
such as requests for help sheets etc.
I
have decided to study with this course. When can I start?
You can enrol at any time of the
year. We will start you on your chosen path of study within ten days of
receiving your enrolment details and tuition fee payment. All you need
to do is complete the online enrolment on this website. Conventional
establishments usually offer courses that last from
September of one year to July of the following year. By providing home
study programmes, we avoid such time restrictions.
I
haven't studied for years. How will I manage?
The length of your break from
formal education should be no barrier to your learning. Our tutors will
guide you gradually through your chosen course, and you really can work
at your own pace.
Will
the courses get me a
job?
We cannot guarantee that they will lead to employment but they will
certainly enhance your CV and give you an improved chance of finding
the work you are looking for.
If you have further
questions about this
course