Animal Care Level 2
- Aberystwyth Campus
- Pibwrlwyd Campus
Develop the skills and knowledge needed to begin a rewarding career in the animal care industry with our Level 2 Animal Care course. Learn practical skills such as animal handling, care, and accommodation maintenance, while deepening your theoretical understanding of animal welfare and husbandry.
Work experience is at the heart of this course, giving you the chance to practise employability skills in real-world settings like farms, veterinary practices, and animal charities. On successful completion, you can progress to the Level 3 Animal Management course, pursue university studies, or step directly into employment within this dynamic sector.
You can choose from two pathways: Option 1: Technical Certificate, which is an exam based route (available across multiple campuses) or Option 2: Diploma, which is a continual coursework assessment route (exclusively at our Pibwrlwyd campus).
Course details
- Full time
- English
What you will learn
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Students will gain the knowledge and skills through theory lessons that will enable them to confidently take on new challenges with embedded theories and concepts.
Students will have the opportunity to work with a variety of animals including rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs, goats and horses. The college works closely with local businesses to gain valuable experience for students which will enable them to progress into employment at a later date. There are also a number of educational visits each year that enable students to gain valuable insights in different employment opportunities.
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Modules on this qualification include the following:
- Maintain animal health and welfare
- Animal feeding and accommodation
- Animal behaviour and handling
- Working in the animal care industry
- Health and safety for the land-based industries
- The principles of animal biology
- Animal nursing
- Introduction to caring for horses
This qualification will develop your skills in areas outside of animal care.
You will have the opportunity to undertake a range of skills such as:
- Essential Skills Wales Communication
- Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
- GCSE or Agored English and Mathematics
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The course is evidence of developing skills to work in the animal care industry. On completion of this course, students may progress to employment or a level three technical qualification in animal management. Employment opportunities include trainee animal care workers in pet shops, stables, zoos, rescue kennels and catteries.
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Assessment is by written assessments, in class tests, practical assessments and externally set exams.
The practical assessments are undertaken on a range of animals including small mammals, dogs and large animals such as goats and horses.This qualification is available to be assessed through the medium of English only.
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4 GCSEs grades A* - D with 2 Cs, one being either English/Welsh (first language) or maths. Or successful completion of a level one vocational qualification in a relevant subject at merit or above.
All learners will follow a Skills Pathway in which they will develop their literacy and numeracy skills for employment. Students who do not yet have the necessary GCSE grades at C or above will have additional teaching and support to study for either GCSE or Essential Skills Qualifications depending on prior GCSE grades.
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All learners are required to pay an administration fee of £25 prior to enrolment.
You will need to provide your own stationery and may also incur costs if the department arranges educational visits.
You will need to provide your own personal protective equipment for the course, which will include wellingtons and waterproofs, for practical activities.
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You will work closely with multiple different course tutors throughout your college week. You will be expected to attend college 3 days a week and complete the 60 hours of work experience on your allocated work experience days on your timetable for college.
The course is a mix of both practical and theory based learning and assessments. You will gain practical experience with a wide range of animals onsite, including birds, goats, reptiles, guinea pigs, rabbits, fish and horses.
You will undertake visits to different places to enrich your learning experience. The college also offers you the opportunity to resit your GCSE maths and English.
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The modules on this qualification include the following:
- Maintain Animal Health and Welfare
- Undertake Practical Animal Feeding
- Maintain Animal Accommodation
- Undertake Work Related Experience in the Land-based Industries
- Understand the Basic Principles of Animal Biology
- Contribute to the Care of Exotic Animals
- Introduction to Caring for Ornamental Aquatics
- Practical Learning Sessions
You will have the opportunity to undertake skills development in English or Mathematics on a pathway to achieving a GCSE.
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Progression from this qualification is an entry requirement for the level 3 animal management courses run at the college. It will also enable you to follow employment routes which could be found from your work experience placement or other land-based industries and opportunities.
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Ongoing coursework assessments that will include written tasks and projects, short tests and practical assessments undertaken in the animal care centre that is on-site. Your practical assessments will take place with multiple different species either in the exotics room, the small mammal room, the fish room, the warren or on the equine yard.
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Progressing students will need a level 1 qualification in animal care at a minimum of a pass and 70% attendance, you will also be required to successfully complete an interview.
Alternatively, 3 GCSE’s A-D to include either English, Welsh First Language or Mathematics.
As you will be required to complete 60 hours of work experience for the course you will need to secure a work placement location.
Students will be required to undertake a diagnostic test on their literacy and numeracy skills with learning support being available.
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All learners are required to pay an administration fee of £25 prior to enrolment.
You will need to provide your own stationary and may also be required to pay for educational visits that the department organises.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is mandatory for you to undertake the practical elements of the course. You will have to provide overalls, a scrub top, wellingtons or boots, a waterproof jacket and potentially waterproof trousers.