About this course
This practical, hands-on course will give you the skills to care for a wide range of animals. You’ll study the feeding, handling and housing of animals. You’ll also learn about protecting the natural environment, wild plants and animals.
-
Brackenhurst is set in stunning countryside just a bus ride away from Nottingham city centre, next to the town of Southwell. -
At Brackenhurst, you’ll have access to incredible facilities. These include an Animal Unit, Equestrian Centre, laboratories, library and gardens and fields that are overflowing with plants and wildlife. -
Studying with us means that you’ll be a part of an amazing learning environment. You get all the perks of being part of a big university, but you will still enjoy the comforts of a friendly college.
What you’ll study
You'll take part in practical hands-on lessons and learn about a wide range of animals, using our fantastic facilities.
Practical Animal Health
Learners develop skills in practical animal health, disease/parasite prevention, cleaning and care, and essential animal grooming techniques for a range of animal species.
Introduction to Animal Biology and Health
Learners gain the knowledge and understanding of animal biology needed for practical animal health and disease management.
Animal Care Work Placement
Learners develop skills and behaviours required for successful working in the animal care sector. This unit requires learners to spend 75 hours in a real working environment.
Animal Welfare
Learners study the approaches to animal welfare, including the five animal needs, health and safety, and animal law.
Animal Behaviour Assessment and Safe Handling
Learners develop skills in recognising normal and abnormal behaviours in a range of animal species and apply safe handling and restraint techniques that minimise stress in animals.
Feeding, Accommodating and Moving Animals
Learners study a range of practical skills concerned with the day-to-day care of animals, including feeding, handling and providing appropriate accommodation.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
Video Gallery
How you're taught
You’ll learn in our fantastic facilities and be taught by tutors who have real-life experience of working within the animal industry. You can expect the course to be split so that approximately 30% is practical work and 70% is theory work.
You will be taught through lectures, group discussions and practical demonstrations. You’ll also get to go on trips to various locations.
The course includes a work placement. This allows you to develop your skills and knowledge in the animal industry, and looks good to future employers. You can work at places like veterinary centres, boarding kennels, catteries, or zoos.
How you’ll be assessed
You’ll be assessed through written assignments, external practical assessments and exams.
Careers and employability
After completing this course there are a number of options and routes that you can take.
If you get a Distinction, you'll be able to do the Level 3 courses in Animal Management or Countryside Management (Wildlife Conservation).
After completion of your Level 3 course you could then choose to continue your studies and go onto a degree or choose a career in an animal-related industry.
Future jobs within the animal industry include:
- Animal Carer Assistant- you can earn up to £21,000
- Cattery / Kennel Technician - you can earn up to £23,000
- Wildlife Reserve Worker - you can earn up to £24,000
- Dog Groomer - you can earn up to £27,500
- Farm Worker - you can earn up to £25,000
Placement opportunities
Work placements are a great way to broaden your skills. You will have the opportunity the take part in work experience in a range of animal-related organisations. We have a wide network of links within the industry which will enable you to get the best placements.
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.
Campus and facilities
Study an animal course at Brackenhurst and you’ll have access to some fantastic facilities.
Our specially designed Animal Unit is home to over 250 animals from around 70 different species. These include small animals such as rabbits, cats, dogs, reptiles and birds, as well as larger animals like goats and donkeys. All our animal courses include hands-on, practical lessons at the unit. You’ll also help our technicians to care for the animals on a day-to-day basis.
As well as your subject-specific facilities, you’ll also find:
- a library, including fully equipped computer rooms
- modern classrooms and teaching areas
- laboratories
- our careers and employability service
- a dining room and Costa Coffee
- our student shop
- a common room.
Entry requirements
UK students
For 2025 entry you'll need:
- Four GCSEs at grade 3 / D or above, including two from English, maths and science, with at least a grade 2 / E in the remaining subject.
- If you do not yet have a grade 4 / C in English language and / or maths you will need to complete GCSE retakes as part of your study programme.
A Level 1 Technical qualification or other equivalent qualifications will be considered.
You will also be required to attend an interview.
Additional requirements for UK students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
International students
We welcome applications from international students who do not require a student route visa. Please email our FE Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 5299 to discuss how your qualifications match our course requirements.
Additional requirements for international students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
