Certificate or Diploma in Animal Care (Intermediate) - Level 2
Overview
This course is for those who are looking to start a career within the animal care industry.
Throughout your time on the course, you will study animal biology, behaviour and handling. You will understand how to maintain the health and welfare of animals, care for exotic animals and what it is like to work in an animal care industry.
Combining both practical and theory learning, you will study at the Derby Road site for two or three days either in a classroom or the new animal care facility. You’ll also spend one day a week at a local farm to develop your practical skills.
Currently, we work alongside White Post Farm where you will have the opportunity to handle and administer medication to small animals and learn to handle, move and administer medication to large farm stock and also carry out husbandry on a wide range of animals from exotics to companion animals.
There is an expectation that you will complete 150 hours of work experience during the programme that the work placement team will help you to find.
Start dates and fees
| Start Date | Code | Annual Fee (Age) | Actions |
| 16-18 | over 19 |
| Sep 2023 | 2486A1073 | FREE | £500.00** E | Apply |
E You may be eligible for fee exemption depending on your circumstances. Please see our fees for adult learners page for more information.
What will I study?
- Animal biology
- Animal behaviour and handling
- Maintaining animal health and welfare
- Working in the animal care industry
- Caring for exotic animals
- Introduction to caring for farm livestock.
Entry requirements
Certificate:
- Grade 3 in maths, grade 4 in English, plus one other GCSE at grade 4 and two GCSEs at grade 3. Or, a relevant Level 1 qualification, plus GCSE English and maths at grade 3.
- You must also have a minimum of two weeks’ work experience in a relevant and validated animal care organisation.
Diploma:
- Grade 4 in English, grade 3 in maths, plus two other GCSEs at grade 3.
- Or, you can have a Level 1 Animal Care qualification or relevant industry experience, plus GCSE English and maths at grade 3.
If you are a young person who is not currently studying a traditional GCSE programme, we will consider alternative qualifications such as functional skills and vocational qualifications.
Please contact our admissions team for further information - admissions@wnc.ac.uk.
Applicants aged over 19:
- If you do not have the entry requirements listed above you may still be accepted to study if you can provide relevant experience, a strong portfolio of work and a commitment to the subject.
Study programmes - essential skills for employment
As an entry requirement on some of our courses, you will need a GCSE in both English and maths with at least a grade 4/C (please see entry requirements above).
If this isn’t displayed under the entry requirements and you don’t currently have a GCSE in both English and maths at grade 4/C or above before joining us, you will then study English and maths as part of your programme with the aim of achieving a qualification with at least a grade 4/C. This is to help improve your chances of employment once you leave us.
In addition, to help you gain essential skills for employment, all students aged 19 and under and studying a full-time course with us will take part in our study programmes.
How long is the course?
1 year.
How will I be assessed?
For the City and Guilds Technical you will be assessed through an exam which is linked to all the core modules. You will also be assessed through course work and a synoptic assessment (which incorporates practical assessments and controlled course work).
For the Aim Diploma you will be assessed ongoing through practical assessments and coursework.
What does the course lead to?
Upon completion of the course you could gain employment in a role related to the skills and knowledge you develop on the course.
What can I progress onto?
Career opportunities