Courses

Animal care training is an obvious choice for those that have a passion for animal welfare. Whether you’ve dreamt of working with animals from a young age, or have decided later in life – perhaps following a career in a completely different field – that this is what you really want to do, our animal care courses will give you the underlying knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the animal care sector.

City & Guilds Level 2 Award in Work-based Animal CareIf you’re working in a kennel and/or cattery environment, ensure you have suitable training or experience in accordance with the new ‘The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018’. A combination of online learning, and development of practical skills in the workplace, makes this Ofqual accredited qualification relevant to your day to day work.Find out moreCity & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Work-based Animal CareThis City & Guilds qualification is aimed at those looking to increase their practical skills and knowledge, alongside employment or volunteering, in an animal care environment. The course covers the health, welfare and care of a variety of animal species, with an emphasis on the development of practical skills.Find out moreCity & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Work-based Animal CareAwarded by City & Guilds, this qualification is ideal if you have already worked in the animal care sector for some time and are working in a supervisory or managerial role. This course will demonstrate and develop your skills in planning and coordinating the care of animals and the leadership of staff in the workplace.Find out moreCity & Guilds Level 3 Animal ManagementThis distance learning programme is designed to give you an advanced level of understanding and skills in animal welfare and management. During the programme you will learn about the health, welfare and care of a variety of animal species. You will also undertake work experience in an animal related environment; this will allow you to put into practice the animal care, handling and technical skills and knowledge you will be learning throughout the programme.Find out moreAnimal Care and Welfare Assistant (Level 2 Apprenticeship)Looking to work with animals? The level 2 animal care apprenticeship is suitable for those who are employed in an animal care environment, looking to gain an apprenticeship qualification and valuable animal care experience.Find out moreCity & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Animal Care Online learningAwarded by City & Guilds, this online course (distance learning), is an ideal way to gain an internationally recognised animal care qualification without attending college. If you’re looking for the flexibility of studying a qualification alongside your existing commitments, for either personal interest or because you dream of working with animals, then this course could be for you!Find out moreVetSkill Level 4 Certificate for Suitably Qualified Persons (SQP) - Companion AnimalThe Level 4 Certificate for Suitably Qualified Persons (SQP) – Companion Animal is aimed at those working in an environment prescribing and dispensing POM-VPS and NFA-VPS and therefore need to fully understand the relevant legislation and potential implications of their role.Find out more
Subject overview

Why choose to study animal care at The College of Animal Welfare?

  • Experienced and supportive teaching staff
    We are very proud of the fact that all of our staff delivering our animal care courses have significant industry experience and knowledge under their belts; they all share a common passion for pushing the profession forward. They do this by helping students to get the most out of their formal training and become the best animal carers they can be.
  • Gain real long term job prospects
    Job prospects within animal care are often competitive, so by undertaking formal training you put yourself at an advantage by gaining a qualification that demonstrates your skills and knowledge to employers.
  • Flexible animal care qualifications
    It is important to us that the opportunity to undertake our courses is open to everyone that has the dedication needed to succeed in the profession, regardless of background. As such our animal care courses are available in a variety of different formats such as online, and in the workplace. We can offer you the opportunity to study within a community of like-minded students and staff, who all share a common passion for animal welfare and a commitment to pushing forward what is already an exciting and rewarding profession.
Careers

Undertaking formal animal care qualifications afford students a variety of professional opportunities. Depending on your personal circumstances, career goals and skills, you could pursue employment in, for example, a zoo, cattery/ kennels or rescue centre, perhaps looking to take on a supervisory or managerial role over time. Positions that you could consider include:

Please note some of these links take you to external sites and therefore the accuracy of these pages is dependent on each individual site.

If you would like to find out more about some of the career opportunities and animal care jobs available, please consider coming along to one or our FREE annual Careers With Animals Day at our Huntingdon or Leeds centre. It is well worth attending and you will come away with lots of information and new ideas. We have trade stands with representatives from different areas of the animal care sector such as Guide Dogs, The British Horse Society, The Blue Cross, The Kennel Club and African Conservation Experience. Trade stands vary from year to year so please contact us in advance if you are attending to meet one particular organisation.

Alternatively, please feel free to contact us if you would like to have an informal chat about your options; a member of our administration team would be happy to help you.