Course Overview
This Level 2 Animal Care course, based at our Epsom campus, provides the knowledge, practical skills and industry experience needed to progress into further study or employment within the animal care sector.
As part of this City & Guilds qualification, students develop their understanding of animal welfare, behaviour, handling and husbandry while gaining valuable experience through hands-on learning and work placements.
Entry Requirements
This course is suitable for students joining from school with GCSEs, or progressing from Level 1 study, who want to develop practical animal care skills and work towards a recognised City & Guilds Level 2 qualification in animal care.
New Students
GCSE grade 3/4 profile in maths and English, plus GCSE science at grade 3*
Progressing from Level 1 Landbased (Animal Care)
- At least a Merit, and ideally a Distinction, in Level 1 Landbased (Animal Care)
- A Pass in the Award in Employability
- Ideally, Level 1 Functional Skills in English and maths
Progressing from the Animal Studies Progression Diploma
- At least a Distinction in the Level 1 units (Term One)
- At least a Merit in the Level 2 components (Award in Landbased Studies, Terms Two and Three)
- At least Functional Skills Level 1 or GCSE grade 3 in English and maths
*The College reserves the right to ask for a school reference if required
What the course covers
This course forms part of a programme of study which will be tailored individually to boost your employability in the animal industry, and will include English and maths where required.
Our course units cover:
- Animal Accommodation
- Feeding
- Handling
- Behaviour
- Health Care
- Roles and Responsibilities of working within the animal industry
How are the units taught?
- Hands-on practical sessions with a range of companion, exotic and livestock species
- Classroom theory-based sessions
- Online packages and blended learning tasks
- At least 75 hours of animal duties on the Nescot Animal Care Unit
- 75 hours of external work placement, as required by City & Guilds
How are the units assessed?
- Controlled assessments
- Project tasks
- A synoptic exam at the end of the course
All three of these elements need to be graded at a minimum of Pass for you to successfully complete the course.
Assessment
All three of these elements need to be graded at a minimum of Pass for you to successfully complete the course.
- Controlled assessments
- Project tasks
- A synoptic exam at the end of the course
Fees and funding
Students aged 16 to 18, or those aged 16 to 24 with a valid EHCP, who are studying Further Education courses are not charged course fees.
For more information about financial support, please visit our Student Finance and Bursaries page. Click here for the Student Finance and Bursaries page
Progression
Successful completion of this Level 2 Animal Care course can support progression to Level 3 study and higher-level animal care and animal management qualifications. A Merit overall is required for the one-year Level 3 programme, or a Distinction overall for the two-year Level 3 programme, subject to tutor reference. Students may also go on to careers in animal welfare organisations, kennels, zoos, rescue centres, veterinary practices and other settings where practical animal care skills are valued.
Potential career routes in the Animal Studies industry:
- Catteries
- City farms
- Conservation
- Dog groomer
- Kennels
- Pet shops
- Quarantine work
- Rescue centres
- Stables
- Teaching
- Uniformed services
- Veterinary nurse
- Zoos
Ready for the next step? Explore our Level 3 Animal Studies course and our Level 3 T Level in Animal Management.
Duration
One year