Guided campus tour
Get a glimpse into the facilities you will be using as an animal care student at West Notts College.
What our students say
Thomas talks to us about his experience at college studying Animal Care. He mentions his favourite animals to work with and touches on some exciting visits and work placements he's been able to take part in.
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Get to know to know a bit more about your teachers before you join us.
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Kit list
Find out what equipment and resources you'll need before you join as a West Notts student.
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FAQs - animal care courses
The following information will hopefully give you a little bit more of an insight into what it will be like to be a student with us.
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Where will I study?
Our animal care courses are based at the Derby Road campus, Mansfield, and have a dedicated area with rooms for study and presentations. There is also a small on-site animal facility so that you can get real hands-on experience. You will also study one day per week at off-site venues such as local farm parks.
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What is it like?
College is an adult, professional environment intended to prepare you to work in your chosen industry. We expect our students to behave in the way that they would in a job with an employer. Attendance and punctuality are very important too. The animal care team have a massive amount of experience and bring all their enthusiasm to their teaching.
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What will I study?
The courses are a mix of practical hands-on learning with a range of animals alongside classroom-based study. The higher the level of study programme that you’re on, there will be more theory combined with practical. It is important to understand that you will have plenty of time to care for animals but this is not the only thing you will do. You will need to study in a classroom too. The team will get you to work with a range of animals from the cute and cuddly rabbits to the not-so-cute and cuddly snakes and spiders!
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What about English and maths?
If you start at college and you haven’t yet achieved your English and maths GCSEs at grade 4 or above, then you will continue to study these for three hours each week per subject. At the end of your first year you will take a re-sit GCSE exam. It is important you attend your English and maths lessons alongside your chosen course.
Take a look at our fact sheets to find out why English and maths is important within this industry.
View English and maths fact sheets
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What will I have to wear?
Animal care students wear a uniform which includes navy blue polo shirts and fleece hoodies, and safety boots/wellingtons when they are in their practical environments. Jewellery will need to be removed or taped-up and long fingernails are not allowed in practical sessions. Animal care students sometimes choose not to wear uniform in classrooms. This is fine and we have no policy about clothes as long as they are not offensive, and we have no issues with hair colour, tattoos etc.
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Will I have to do a work placement?
Work placement is embedded at all levels of animal care and it is expected that every student spends one day a week outside college in a practical environment. In addition, students at levels 2 and 3 will be expected to spend some time on a formal work placement with an employer. This is a great way for you to get your foot in the door, impress an employer and potentially move into a job or apprenticeship as a result.
All of our students will be able to also get engaged with our learning companies, which provide in-house opportunities to gain real-world experience. This year students are offering a ‘doggy day care’ service to members of staff at the college!
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