Animal Care
If your ambition is to work with animals, our courses in animal care are a great first step. From a veterinary nurse and assistance dog trainer to a zookeeper and dog groomer, your next steps can be found at our animal care unit.
- Make new connections with hands-on experience
As part of our animal care courses for school leavers, you’ll undertake real industry placements at local farms, giving you opportunities to care for and learn about a variety of animals, from domesticated pets to livestock and reptiles. On placement, you’ll work with people already employed in the industry who will be able to share their expertise with you. You’ll also be with like-minded people on your course, so you’ll make friends with similar interests.
- Gain important skills
You’ll learn so much more than simply caring for animals. As a student, you’ll be able to grow in confidence and communication skills, and will learn to work not just independently, but as part of a team. All great skills to help you move into employment or on to further study in the subject.
- Purpose-built facilities
To give you the best opportunity to gain valuable, hands-on experience, we have a devoted animal care unit based on our Derby Road campus. This dedicated facility provides a cosy home to a range of different animals, including small mammals, reptiles, and livestock. Some full-time students will get the opportunity to conduct tours with the public, developing customer service skills.
Whilst there isn’t space to keep larger animals on campus, our exclusive partnership with White Post Farm means that all full-time students will spend time during their studies working on the farm and gaining more experience with a wider variety of animals.
- Our partners
Through our exciting partnerships, you can gain hands-on experience with conservation and land management projects, organic animal and crop production systems, and what it’s like to work with farm animals, carry out fundraising events, and receive support from various colleges/universities to help you progress into higher education.
- What our students say
Hear from our students about their time studying Animal Care with us.
Available courses
Animal Care One Day Course - Technician for a Day
19+
1 Day
Various
Derby Road Campus
Animal Care One Day Course – Reptile Keeper Experience
19+
1 Day
August 2026
Derby Road Campus
Animal Care One Day Course – Small Mammal Keeper Experience
19+
1 Day
February 2026
Derby Road Campus
Animal Management - Level 3
16-18, 19+
1 - 2 Years
September 2026
Derby Road Campus
T Level in Animal Care and Management - Level 3
16-18
2 years
September 2026
Derby Road Campus














