Animal Care - Level 2 Diploma (BTEC)

This course can open doors to further study or to a relevant apprenticeship in working in the animal care sector. Animal carers may inspect welfare conditions, ensure that pets are passed on or sold to loving and caring owners, or keep animals healthy and happy with their own pet walking or grooming businesses.

You will learn about the animal care industry through a mixture of practical and theory lessons, working with a range of animals. Our animal department has recently undergone a redevelopment in excess of £200,000, with other 100 animal species across all the taxonomic groups, ranging from mouse lemurs, ground squirrels and cloud rats to tree frogs, chameleons and praying mantises.

Topics covered can include:

• Maintaining animal accommodation
• Maintaining animal health and welfare
• Undertaking practical animal feeding
• Undertaking work related experience in land-based industries
• Introduction to the principles and practices of animal behaviour and handling
• Understanding the basic principles of animal biology
• Contributing to the care of exotic animals

You will need:

• Three GCSEs at grade 3 or above, including English Language, Maths and Science
• A reference from your previous school/college

All applicants must have an interview and assessment to confirm that the course is suitable for them.

You will be assessed through coursework. Each unit will be continually assessed throughout the year using a variety of methods, including assignments, presentations, practical assessments oral assessments and in-class tests. There are no final exams.

School Leavers

If you will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31 August in the year you begin your course, and have been resident in the UK/EU/EEA for the past 3 years, it will be free. Some courses will have other costs associated, such as for materials and trips. Many of our students are eligible for financial support when studying at college – please click here for more information.

This course will help you to move on to higher level courses, such as Animal Management - Level 3 Extended Diploma, a veterinary nursing apprenticeship or other employment.